Job Description and Person
Specification
Last updated:
3 November 2015
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title:
Research Fellow
Academic Unit/Service:
ESRC Centre for Population Change, Social Sciences
Faculty:
Social Human and Mathematical Sciences
Career Pathway:
Education, Research and Enterprise (ERE)
*ERE category:
Research pathway
Posts responsible to:
Associate Professor, Dr Brienna Perelli-Harris
Posts responsible for:
None
Post base:
Office-based
Level:
4
Job purpose
Research assistance on ESRC Centre for Population Change project on consequences of family change in
comparative perspective
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
1.
Carry out literature reviews of family change and methods of analysis
10 %
2.
Prepare datasets for analysis i.e. downloading, linking and deriving variables
20%
3.
Conduct statistical analyses of these data
50%
4.
Contribute to the writing of project outputs including academic papers
20%
Internal and external relationships
•
Dr Brienna Perelli-Harris
•
Professor Jane Falkingham (Centre Director)
•
Professor. Ann Berrington (Project advisor)
•
Other faculty, post-doc researchers and PhD students working in related areas e.g. through Monday
lunchtime brown bag seminars
Special Requirements
Willingness to travel to national/international conferences. Willingness to undertake training
courses as appropriate.
Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or
nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon
successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research
Assistant will be given.
Document1ERE Level 4 – Research Pathway – Research Fellow
2
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Desirable
How to be
assessed
Criteria
Essential
Qualifications,
knowledge and
experience
PhD or equivalent professional
Experience of carrying out
qualifications and experience in a
longitudinal data analyses using
quantitative social science discipline. large and complex datasets
CV
Detailed understanding and
knowledge of statistical analyses
CV/Letter of
Interest
Experience in analysis of surveys in
cross-national perspective
Experience of carrying out advanced
statistical analyses using STATA in a
social science context.
CV/Letter of
Interest
Prior research experience in relation
to families, fertility, and/or union
formation
CV/Letter of
Interest
Knowledge of literature and
methods in area of family dynamics
in developed world context
Planning and
organising
Ability to plan and organise work
independently and as part of a team
CV/Letter of
Interest
Ability to work to deadlines
Problem solving
and initiative
Ability to use knowledge and
experience to be able to prepare
data for analysis in appropriate
manner and to be able to carry
out and interpret appropriate
statistical analyses
CV/Letter of
Interest
Ability to identify and respond to
data challenges e.g. missing data
CV/Letter of
Interest
Ability to prioritise and take
initiative on concurrent research
tasks
CV/Letter of
Interest
Management
and teamwork
Ability to work independently and
with PI, face to face and via email
CV/Letter of
interest
Communicating
and influencing
Ability to contribute to writing up
research results for publication
CV/Letter of
Interest
Other skills and
behaviours
Word processing, spreadsheet,
internet, bibliography search skills
and software e.g. Endnote /
Reference Manager
CV/Letter of
Interest
Understanding of relevant Health &
Safety issues
Positive attitude to colleagues and
students
Special
requirements
Willingness to travel to national /
international conferences to
disseminate results
Document1ERE Level 4 – Research Pathway – Research Fellow
3
JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
Is this an office-based post?
☒ Yes
If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU), no further
information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.
☐ No
If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use
of VDU) please complete the analysis below.
Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety
of the post-holder.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position. Please note, if full health clearance is required
for a role, this will apply to all individuals, including existing members of staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Occasionally
Frequently
Constantly
(<30% of time)
(30-60% of time)
(> 60% of time)
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify below:
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
Lone working
## Shift work/night work/on call duties
Document1ERE Level 4 – Research Pathway – Research Fellow
4