Post-Doctoral Researcher - Centre for Co-Operative Studies

University College Cork; Ireland; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Centre for Co-operative Studies at University College Cork invites applications for a 6‑month fixed‑term Postdoctoral Researcher to work on Driving Inclusive Care: Economic Democracy and Social Economy (DICES). The role focuses on analysing survey data on working conditions and social economy contexts with emphasis on care services across Europe.

You will validate scales, conduct multilevel modelling, and contribute to reports and papers for peer‑reviewed journals, under the project lead and

Qualifications

• Experience analysing cross‑section survey data using R or SPSS.
• Familiarity with Qualtrics survey software.
• Understanding of multi‑level models and scale validation.
• Knowledge of factorial analysis and SEM is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Analyse data from an online survey on working conditions and job quality.
• Validate scales, perform descriptive reporting with graphics, and apply multilevel modelling.
• Disseminate results via working paper, conference presentations and journal papers.
• Collaborate with the UCC project team and international partners.

Skills

R

SPSS

Multilevel modelling

Scale validation

Factor analysis

Structural equation modelling

Data interpretation

Tools

R

SPSS

Qualtrics

Job description

Organisation/Company University College Cork Department HR Research Research Field Other Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 16 Oct 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Dublin) Country Ireland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 39 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

6 Months Fixed Term, Whole-time Post

The Centre for Co-operative Studies is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with strong quantitative research and project management skills to work on the project, Driving inclusive care: economic democracy and social economy (DICES). The DICES project, funded under Horizon Europe and conducted in collaboration with institutional partners in seven European countries, aims to: enhance understanding of Europe's social economy and identify factors driving its uneven development; evaluate the role of social economy organisations in addressing social exclusion and improving services and workplaces;and recommend policy measures and governance frameworks to unlock the social economy's potential, including strategies for identifying and promoting best practices. The project had a strong focus on the social economy in the context of care, including care work, care services and related initiatives.

The appointee will be required to analyse data collected through an online survey of working conditions, job quality and organisational democracy in social economy and other organisations providing long‑term care services in several European countries. The analysis will involve validating adapted scale measures, descriptive reporting with good graphics, multilevel modelling and mediation analysis. It will involve interpreting and disseminating the results through various media, to a range of stakeholders, including conference presentations, a working paper and contributing to papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Applicants must have proven experience of analysing cross‑section survey data using R or SPSS, familiarity with Qualtrics survey software, understanding of multi‑level models, knowledge of scale validation methods and factor analysis. Understanding of structural equation modelling is desirable. Some familiarity with the broad literature on worker well‑being and organisational environment would be an advantage. The completion of work tasks to a high standard within prescribed time frames will be critical to the success of the project.The appointee will work under the direction of the UCC project team’s leader and in collaboration with other members of the UCC team and international partners.

Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.

Project:**Driving Inclusive Care: Economic Democracy and Social Economy (DICES)**

For an information package including full details of the post, selection criteria and application process see https://ore.ucc.ie/ The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.

Informal inquiries can be made in confidence toDr. Carol Power, Lecturer, Centre for Co-operative Studies and Cork University Business School; Email: [e-mail]

University College Cork is committed to being a fully inclusive global university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are core values under our UCC Strategic Plan 2023-2028. UCC holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing equality in higher education. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent.We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of age, care‑giving status, disability, ethnicity, gender and/or gender identity or expression status, nationality, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion/creed, and/or sexual orientation. We are committed to supporting all staff through flexible working schemes, family‑friendly policies, training and development, and staff networks. We value the enrichment that comes from a diverse community and seek to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of each individual in line with equality legislation. We encourage applicants to consult our Dignity and Respect Policy andlearn more about our EDI related initiatives

Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.

We encourage you to reach out to us directly should you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process.

Please note interviews will be conducted either online via Microsoft Teams or in person in the first instance. Candidates may also be required to attend interviews in person if an interview takes place online. Candidates will be notified as appropriate

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOER

Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector.