Research Associate

Advert

Research Associate
School of Geography and Planning
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science

The School of Geography and Planning at Cardiff University is seeking to appoint two highly motivated and well qualified research associates to work on the Leverhulme Trust funded project: ‘City governments, citizen public sector debts and debt collection practices’. The project examines the importance and constitution of urban government debt collection practices, and the nature of debtor-creditor relations in English urban areas. This is a joint project between Cardiff University (Dr Crispian Fuller) and the University of Cambridge (Professor Mia Gray).

We are looking for outstanding candidates who:

• Possess research experience in urban, political and social geography, or an urban studies related area in sociology, social policy or political science.
• Have the ability to conduct research activities for the successful completion of the project, including undertaking content analysis, interviews and focus groups.
• Can contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University.
• Have the ability to organise and manage their workload to meet required deadlines.

The successful candidates will be part of a supportive and community-oriented School that has a strong commitment to upholding our core values: thinking critically and creatively; collaborating openly; taking care of our environment; valuing diversity, and working actively towards an inclusive and fair future. We are proud to hold an Athena Swan bronze award. We are an engaged and impactful School and work with a range of stakeholders in the Cardiff Capital Region, Wales and beyond, as we seek to make a difference to people and places locally and globally.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week) that is fixed-term until 31/12/2025. The positions will be located at Cardiff University.

Post to commence: 29th January 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Informal enquiries may be made to: [email protected];

Salary: £39,347 – £44,263 per annum (Grade 6). New appointments are usually made at the bottom of the salary scale.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including:

• annual leave entitlement of 45 days’ (including bank holidays) so you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• an excellent pension scheme, including employer contributions
• a reward package including a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, and annual increments within the pay scales range of family-friendly policies and initiatives.

It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different opportunities; the University is a proud Living Wage supporter.

Date advert posted: Wednesday, 31 January 2024

Closing date: Wednesday, 21 February 2024

Cardiff University is committed to supporting all its employees in achieving the necessary balance between their work and their personal lives. As part of this commitment, the University has developed a flexible and responsive framework of support for staff in managing their work and personal commitments wherever possible. [Applications for posts on a part-time or job-share arrangement would also be considered]. We are committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. We, therefore, welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment – Research – Cardiff University

Job Description

Research

• To conduct research for the Leverhulme Trust project on ‘City governments, citizen public sector debts and debt collection practices’.
• Contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs, including publishing in national academic journals and conferences..
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate.
• To undertake fieldwork and data analysis as part of the research project, including interviews and content analysis of documents.
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• To participate in School research activities.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions,   explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.

Other

• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally  to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:

Urban, political or social geography

Urban studies within sociology, social policy or political science

Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field

Proven ability to publish in national/international journals in geography, sociology, social policy or political science.

Be competent in IT packages that are appropriate for the area of research.

Ability to organise and manage their workload to meet required deadlines.

Communication and Team Working

Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication

Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals

Other

Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work

Proven ability to work without close supervision

Additional Information

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

It is Cardiff University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for shortlisting. Therefore, candidates must evidence they meet ALL the essential criteria and, where relevant, the desirable.

As part of the application process, you are asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined in the person specification. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide for each criterion.

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure you name it with the vacancy reference number: 18110BR.

Your application will be at risk of not being progressed if you do not evidence you have met all essential criteria. The school welcomes the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

Job Category

Academic – Research