FORESIGHTERS MSCA COFUND Early Stage Researcher

Queen's University Belfast; Belfast; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

Queen's University Belfast is offering a position as part of the FORESIGHTERS Doctoral Training Programme, focusing on Futures research. Successful applicants will conduct high-impact research addressing significant social, environmental, and economic issues.

The role provides a collaborative environment for Early-Stage Researchers to explore the responsible use of technology, and promotes advanced training alongside inter-sectoral partners.

Applicants must hold a relevant degree and meet specific MSCA requirements, ensuring they're positioned for a dynamic research career.

Qualifications

• Degree equivalent to a 1st class or 2.1 Honours from a UK Higher Education Provider.
• Not yet awarded a doctorate qualification.
• Meets MSCA mobility requirements.
• Sufficient specialist knowledge for investigation within a Futures framework.

Responsibilities

• Engage with inter-disciplinary supervisory team.
• Undertake advanced training.
• Collaborate with intersectoral partners.

Skills

Written and spoken English competence

Analytical and problem-solving abilities

Research methods experience

Education

1st class or 2.1 Honours degree

Eligible for PhD enrolment

Job description

This position is part of the FORESIGHTERS Doctoral Training Programme (Future ORiEnted Skills, Innovation for Governance for Health, Technology, Energy, Cities and Creativity) which will provide world‑class advanced research training, with an innovative emphasis on skills such as futures literacy, foresight, systems thinking, citizen engagement, and other transferable capabilities. Each Early‑Stage Researcher (ESR) will play an active role within a collaborative inter‑disciplinary cohort of researchers to undertake a high impact doctoral research project addressing a significant social, environmental, cultural, or economic issue. ESRs will be awarded a 42‑month contract, funded through the prestigious Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND programme, with match funding provided by a Northern Ireland Department for the Economy studentship.

You will work primarily under the theme of Technology, undertaking a dedicated research project. Successful appointees will demonstrate and develop skills for working in inter‑disciplinary environments and engage with research undertaken across all the thematic areas in FORESIGHTERS.

The Technology Theme will explore how societies can harness technological advances responsibly and proactively, strengthening their capacity for futures‑thinking and fostering adaptive, inclusive and long‑term innovation strategies. Projects under this theme will emphasize the crucial role of technology as a cross‑cutting enabler that supports innovation across interconnected areas, addressing emerging risks and enhancing systemic resilience, ultimately contributing to sustainable and equitable social outcomes.

More information (including advice about the application and assessment and decision making processes) can be found on our webiste.

About the person

ESRs will be highly motivated, and expected to deliver high‑quality, high‑impact, cutting‑edge research, within the field of Futures research. ESRs pro‑actively engage with their inter‑disciplinary supervisory team, undertake advanced training and collaborate with intersectoral, non‑academic partners to help shape the direction of their research.

Essential criteria include (full list available in Job Specification):

• Hold (or be about to be awarded) a degree equivalent to a 1st class or 2.1 Honours degree from a UK Higher Education Provider, or an equivalent qualification from outside the UK that is acceptable to the University.
• Meet MSCA career stage requirement and not yet have been awarded a doctorate level qualification.
• Meet MSCA mobility requirements (i.e. must not have resided or carried out main education and/or employment activity in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to appointment).
• Demonstrate competence in written and spoken English in accordance with the University's English Language Requirements.
• Be eligible and qualified for enrolment in the PhD programme at QUB.
• Sufficient breadth or depth of specialist knowledge in available techniques for investigation of proposed research topic within a Futures framework and in an inter‑disciplinary context.
• Possess relevant experience with research methods and techniques appropriate to the proposed project.
• Demonstrable evidence of analytical and problem‑solving abilities relevant to research.
• Able to communicate complex information clearly.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information document on our website.