Research Associate

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pensions scheme

Flexible working

Development opportunities

Wellbeing support

Discounts

Job summary

The University of Sheffield invites applications for a Research Associate based in the School of Education to support a two-year program of scholarship on equality, inclusion and disability. You will work closely with Professor Rebecca Lawthom on writing and analysis across multiple outputs and themes.

Responsibilities include literature reviews, identifying journals, developing analytical methods for qualitative data, and collaborating on joint publications.

Qualifications

• Good honours degree in the social sciences, arts or humanities.
• PhD OR equivalent experience of independent research/scholarship/writing in disability.
• Experience with secondary data analysis, especially qualitative data.
• Knowledge of anti-ableist and antidisablist scholarship.

Responsibilities

• Develop identified literature reviews and academic papers with originality and rigour.
• Implement analytical approaches for rapidly emerging secondary data (qualitative).
• Participate in collaborative research and joint writing projects.
• Submit journal articles and respond to referees comments.
• Write research outputs including chapters, briefs and reports.
• Lead/ contribute to conference presentations to disseminate findings.
• Coordinate with project team and maintain regular contact with line manager.

Skills

Qualitative data analysis

Academic writing

Collaborative work

Education

Good honours degree in social sciences, arts or humanities

PhD OR equivalent research experience

Job description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university. We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

This post is for a Research Associate who will be based in the School of Education to take a key role in supporting the delivery on a body of scholarship in relation to issues of equality, inclusion and diversity with a particular focus on disability. The Research Associate will work closely with Professor Rebecca Lawthom, the Head of the School of Education, on an identified body of writing and scholarship that will be delivered over a two‑year period. Collaborating with Professor Lawthom, you will identify and work on a number of theoretical and analytical outputs focused around (though not exclusively) on number of areas of research interest:

• The ways in which research, theory and scholarship are transformed by an engagement with critical disability studies.
• The positive presence of disability to enable more inclusive research and university environments.
• The ways in which we can reimagine representations of disability in society and culture.
• An exploration of equality, diversity and inclusion generated through a focus on anti‑ableist and antidisablist practice.

The Postholder’s Responsibilities Primarily Relate To:

• literature review and scoping;
• identification of key journals to write and submit articles to;
• development of analytical approaches and methods that respond to rapidly emerging secondary data (primarily qualitative);
• participating in a collaborative research environment which will give opportunities for joint writing and collaboration with live research projects.
• writing a number of journal articles - in collaboration with Professor Lawthom and others that boast originality, significance and rigour.
• Submission of drafts of journal articles and responding to referees comments

Alongside these responsibilities the postholder will be given protected time to explore opportunities for their own career and research development in line with the Concordat on Researcher Development: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/research-services/researcher-development/our-commitment/concordat.

This may take the form of other scholarship and research funding opportunities.

We welcome applications from researchers of higher education, inclusive education, critical disability studies, community psychology, literacy and education, medical humanities, medical sociology, medical anthropology, critical race and postcolonial studies. We welcome applicants from the social sciences and arts and humanities.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Develop a number of identified literature reviews and academic papers - in collaboration with Professor Lawthom and others - that boast originality, significance and rigour.
• Implement analytical approaches and methods that respond to rapidly emerging secondary data (primarily qualitative).
• Participate in a collaborative research environment such as joint writing and research projects.
• Submit a number of journal articles and respond to referees comments.
• Write research outputs, which might additionally include book chapters, policy briefs and reports.
• Lead and contribute to the preparation of presentations at national/international conferences or seminars to disseminate research findings.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks and attend conferences to keep abreast of developments.
• Keep in regular contact with the line manager, including regular team meetings in person and via online communications.
• Coordinate and liaise with other members of the project team (when necessary).
• Plan own research schedule and workload within the wider project framework identifying milestones and objectives.
• Undertake mandatory online training required for members of The School of Education.
• Uphold the highest standards of ethics and research integrity.
• Organise and support the delivery of an agreed dissemination strategy.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential Or Desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Have a good honours degree in the social sciences, arts or humanities.

Essential Application/interview

Have a PhD OR equivalent experience of independent research/scholarship/writing in the area of disability

Essential Application/interview

Experience with secondary data analysis (especially qualitative data analysis)

Essential Application/interview

Knowledge of the academic literature on anti‑ableist and antidisablist practice.

Essential Application/interview