Research Associate/Fellow (FTC)

University of Nottingham; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Nottingham is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate focused on health and safety in the global garment industry. The role involves fieldwork with female garment workers, utilizing innovative research methods, and aims to improve workplace protections. Applicants should have a PhD and experience in relevant fields.

Qualifications

• Recent PhD graduates preferred.
• Experience conducting fieldwork is essential.
• Strong understanding of gender-related issues in labor contexts.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fieldwork with female garment workers in the UK.
• Analyze qualitative data and disseminate findings.
• Coordinate relationships with external stakeholders.

Skills

Fieldwork with garment worker communities

Qualitative data analysis

Knowledge in gender, work, labor, and/or employment

Creative and participatory research methods

Education

PhD in human geography or cognate fields

Job description

Closing Date
Friday 01 August 2025

Reference
SOC176525

We are inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the School of Geography.

The appointment is being made in relation to a £1.6 million UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship entitled "Invisible Women, Invisible Workers: Focusing a gendered lens on health and safety in the global garment industry" (2022-2026). The Fellowship explores the health and safety of workers in garments and footwear manufacturing, focusing on four countries: Cambodia, Ethiopia, Jordan, and the UK. Health and safety is an urgent concern for female workers, in particular. Women comprise a majority of the workforce in the sector, yet a lack of gender-disaggregated data combined with the predominance of gender-blind programming means that workplace protections often miss key threats to women's wellbeing. The research aims to understand and communicate how women in the garment industry experience health and safety, and identify strategies to better protect their well being and security.

The postholder will work with the Principal Investigator, Dr Sabina Lawreniuk, and other members of the research team including external partners and stakeholders.

The successful applicant will conduct fieldwork with female garment workers in the UK, one of the project's four research sites, using feminist, creative, and participatory methods including qualitative interviews, counter-mapping, and Photovoice. They will analyse qualitative data, and disseminate findings by developing articles for peer-reviewed publications. They will generate impact-focused material to influence non-academic audiences, as well as coordinate relationships and events with external stakeholders to deliver knowledge exchange towards impact. They will provide administrative support to the Principal Investigator and research team, as required.

We welcome applications to join our diverse and interdisciplinary team from recent PhD graduates in human geography or cognate fields. Applicants must have experience of undertaking fieldwork with garment worker communities and must have sufficient knowledge in fields of gender, work, labour, and/or employment.

The School of Geography is committed to high-quality research and knowledge transfer, and we have a strong culture of interdisciplinary and collaborative research. Postholders will benefit from intersecting interests across the School's Economic Worlds research theme and Health Geography Hub, as well as the University's Rights Lab.

This is a full-time, fixed-term post from 12 th September 2025 until 11 th April 2026.

Please contact Sabina Lawreniuk (Principal Research Fellow) informally if you are considering applying ([e-mail]). Please note formal applications must be submitted via the University's online application system. Applications should include a CV and covering letter detailing relevant experience and suitability for the role.