Research and Technical Assistant

SWPS University; Poland; On-site; PLN 48,000 - 57,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts

Language courses discount

Multisport gym

Private healthcare

Job summary

SWPS University invites applications for a First Stage Researcher position in Sociology, focusing on qualitative methods such as focus groups and in-depth interviews. You will recruit participants, transcribe sessions, and contribute to data analysis under supervision.

The role is part-time (50% FTE) with a starting date of 2026-11-01 for 34 months, offering a gross PLN 4,705 per month. Strong English (B2) and Polish (C1) are required, with a related degree in progress or completed.

Qualifications

• Experience in focus groups and/or in-depth interviews is essential.
• Strong command of English (minimum B2) and Polish (minimum C1).
• Completed or in-progress university degree in political science, sociology, psychology, economics, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Participate in focus group interviews and in-depth interviews.
• Recruit participants for qualitative studies and handle transcription.
• Assist in analysis, interpretation of qualitative data, and publication preparation.

Skills

Interviewing

Qualitative research

Participant recruitment

Transcription

Data analysis

Education

Degree in progress (related field)

Tools

English proficiency

Polish proficiency

Job description

Organisation/Company SWPS University Research Field Sociology » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Bachelor Positions Application Deadline 8 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) Country Poland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Part-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

• participation in the preparation and conduct of focus group interviews
• participation in the preparation and conduct of individual in-depth interviews
• recruitment of participants for qualitative research studies
• transcription of conducted interviews
• participation in the analysis and interpretation of collected qualitative data
• participation in the development of survey questionnaires based on findings from the conducted interviews
• participation in the preparation of academic publications and dissemination of research findings
• participation in academic workshops and conferences
• participation in research team meetings and seminars organized by the institute of social sciences
• development of independent research projects with the support and guidance of the principal investigator
• research experience, particularly in conducting focus groups and/or individual in-depth interviews
• advanced proficiency in English (minimum B2 level)
• fluent proficiency in Polish (minimum C1 level)
• a completed university degree or a degree in progress, preferably in political science, sociology, psychology, economics, or a related field

Preferred qualifications:

• publications in peer-reviewed academic journals, particularly international journals, in the field of social sciences
• demonstrated interest in the subject matter of the project
• motivation to develop an independent research trajectory related to the subject matter of the project

Languages POLISH Level Excellent

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

• part-time employment (50% fte) under an employment contract, starting November 1, 2026, for a period of 34 months
• gross compensation of PLN 4,705 per month
• support for academic development from the Research and Projects Department in obtaining and managing grants
• opportunity to participate in scientific conferences
• bonuses for high-scoring publications affiliated with SWPS University
• support for the commercialization of research projects
• an attractive benefits package:
  • a discount on graduate and postgraduate studies for employees as well as their close relatives and partners. This discount increases with the employee’s seniority
  • a discount on SWPS University’s remaining educational offer
  • a 30% discount on language courses offered by SWPS University’s language school
  • professional development opportunities through participation in the Erasmus+ program
  • psychological support via SWPS University's Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Clinic
  • a Multisport Plus gym and fitness benefits package
  • subsidized private healthcare package in Medicover or Lux Med for employees and attractively priced packages for their close relatives and partners
  • access to a cafeteria of one-time benefits
  • subsidized purchase of corrective glasses
  • group life insurance policy option with the PZU insurance company

Eligibility criteria

Required documents:

• CV with a list of academic, teaching, and administrative achievements (with reference to the criteria specified above), as well as a description of other professional experience and research interests
• a cover letter directly addressing the criteria listed above and outlining a plan for academic and research development
• a statement confirming proficiency in a foreign language at the required level
• the deadline for submission of documents is: 2026-10-08
• successful candidates will be announced on: 2026-10-26
• date of commencement of work: 2026-11-01

Selection process

Formal criteria:

• academic achievements, including publications in reputable journals/publishers and active participation in national and international conferences: 15% of the final grade
• competencies relevant to the tasks in the research project: 75% of the finalgrade
• distinctions resulting from scientific work (scholarships, awards), experience gained outside the home institution (domestically or abroad), workshops, training, and participation in research projects: 10% of the final grade
• Ph.D. Michał Gulczyński - Chair of the Committee
• Professor Mikołaj Cześnik - Member of the Committee
• Aleksandra Prusinowska - Member of the HR
• Julia Machnio - Committee Secretary

The Competition Committee reserves the right to contact only selected candidates.

The candidates who receive the highest scores from the Committee will be invited for an interview.

For any additional information please contact [e-mail] referring to ref. no. 1180/INS/WWA/26.

Determinants of Public Support for Gender Equality Policies

The aim of the project is to learn why support for specific gender equality policies remains low, even though gender equality is widely endorsed in Poland as a general value. The team will investigate how people understand gender equality and what shapes their attitudes towards policies; how self-interest and identity influence their support; and how the way policies are communicated affects their reception. The project takes into account a broad and multidimensional spectrum of measures that public institutions can undertake in the pursuit of equality - such as gender quotas, support in education, health-promotion measures, or the equalization of the rights and obligations of women and men.

The project combines qualitative and quantitative methods. The team will conduct 12 focus group discussions and 20 in-depth individual interviews, as well as three nationwide survey experiments.

The project's findings will provide policymakers and practitioners with knowledge about which equality policies enjoy broad support and which are opposed, and why. They will be presented in academic publications and summarized in a policy brief addressed to politicians and non-governmental organizations, supporting the design of policies that can be introduced without deepening social polarization. Beyond the empirical results, the project's main scholarly contribution will be the development of a new theoretical framework for studying gender equality policies as a diverse policy space.