Postdoctoral Research Associate
- Durham University
- Part Time
- Durham
- £37,099 per annum
Job Description
Working at Durham University
A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.
As one of the UK's leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.
We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it's also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.
Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.
We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page
The Role and Department
The Department of Sociology has an outstanding reputation in research and education. We also hold an Athena SWAN silver award and the Department is committed to promoting equality for all within the workplace and creating a diverse, inclusive and supportive working environment.
The Department's research strategy is built around five themes: Communities and Social Justice, Health and Social Theory, Higher Education and Social Inequality, Violence and Abuse, and Criminal Justice, Social Harms and Inequalities. We were ranked 4th in the UK for research impact in REF 2021.
The Department of Sociology delivers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Sociology, Criminology and Social Work. Further, we support the delivery of a faculty research methods programme as part of the collaborative NINEDTP and contribute to a cross-faculty Master of Data Science programme. We were ranked 1st for Criminology in the Times Good University Guide 2024.
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work with Dr Sui Ting Kong and Dr Alison Jobe from the Centre for Social Justice and Community Action in the Sociology Department, and Professor Debbie Riby from the Centre for Neurodiversity and Development in the Psychology department. Working across two university centres, our aim is to further develop participatory research training for NINEDTP doctoral students working in partnership with community groups / partners.
For further details on the research centres see here: Centre for Social Justice & Community Action - Durham University and here Centre for Neurodiversity and Development - Durham University
The post holder will work with the academic team to develop, deliver, and evaluate a Participatory Action Research training package for NINEDTP doctoral students that focuses on involving neurodivergent young people and children as experts. The post is funded through the North Ireland and North East Doctoral (NINE DTP) training partnership. More information about the NINEDTP can be found here- Home - NINE DTP .
The successful applicant will be expected to:
· Provide general admin support to the work package.
· Support and develop the collaboration between the CSJCA and the Centre for Neurodiversity
· Develop, deliver and evaluate a pioneer/cutting-edge PAR training for NINEDTP doctoral students based on PAR training and toolkits of the CSJCA and Centre for Neurodiversity (a potential paper output)
· Support the development of CPD strategies based on our PAR training and toolkits.
Key responsibilities:
- To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
- To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
- To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
- To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
- To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
- To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
- To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
- To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
- To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
- To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
- To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
- To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
- To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
- To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.
This post is fixed term for 12 months at 0.5fte. Funding is available for this period only. Successful applicants will ideally be in post by January 2025.
The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
- 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year.
- The University closes between Christmas and New Year - please include or delete if not applicable.
- We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
- There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
- Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- The opportunity ...
