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Postgraduate Research Assistant
Science and Engineering/
Geography, Environment and Earth
Sciences
Dr M.C. Lillie
6 months (Fixed Term)
Academic
6
Research Band 6
No
FA0127
Background and Context
This is post is attached to the recently awarded AHRC grant, ‘Remember Me. The Changing
Face of Memorialisation’, the Principal Investigator for this project is based in the School of
Social Sciences in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. This innovative and
interdisciplinary study will use a range of historical, ethnographic, visual and other qualitative
methods to explore the process and practice of memorialisation, past and present, analysing
shifts and trends over time. Particular focus will be on: the role of religion; the context,
understandings and practices of contemporary humanistic spiritualities; the significance of
personal meaning-making; socio-economic and cultural variations and the development of
cultural 'scripts'; the ways in which personal experiences and perspectives interface with
social trends.
The study comprises of: two surveys (historical and contemporary) of literature, media and
internet sources, one embedded historical case study (the British diaspora across the
Empire), two free-standing strands (the role of photography and bereavement free-writing in
palliative care), and memorialisation in four contemporary case studies (military death,
migrants, the transgender community and dementia).
The post holder will be supervised by the senior Co-I on the project, who is based in the
Department of Geography, Environment and Earth Resources at Hull University. The Co-I
specialises in earlier prehistoric societies in Europe and has a particular interest in
approaches to the study of death and dying from an archaeological perspective.
Whilst this post is part of a grant in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the post
holder will belong to the inter-faculty Centre for End of Life Studies, s/he will be based in the
Department of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences (GEES) which is situated with
the Faculty of Science and Engineering and is based in the Cohen building on the Hull
campus.
GEES currently has 25 academic staff, 9 research fellows, 9 administrative and technical
support staff, an intake of 130-140 undergraduates per year, and around 40 MSc and PhD
students. In REF2014 GEES maintained its position as a leading British Department of
Geography and Earth Sciences, being placed third of 74 submissions in the UK. GEES is
ranked in the world's top 200 geography and Earth Science Departments (QS World
University Rankings).
Specific Duties and Responsibilities of the post
This role is an entry level position for a researcher to assist Dr. Malcolm Lillie in the study of
Deep Time perspectives of death and memorialisation. The post holder will preferably be a
graduate and/or working towards a PhD with experience in archaeology and with knowledge
of burial practices in British prehistory through until the more recent historical period. Ideally
you will have a minimum of 6 months full-time experience working in archaeology or a related
discipline since graduation, and you will have undertaken day-to-day recording and record
keeping, and also have experience in keeping accurate and up to date records. An ability to
work under own supervision is an important attribute for this research associate position.
Under the direct supervision of the line manager the postgraduate research associate will be
responsible for the retrieval and recording of relevant literature and site details (data collection),
and for the development of a database of the material recovered; relevant to the proposed
study. The post holder will also assist with analysis and interpretation of results.
Some general research skills, word processing and database management abilities will be
useful in this role, as will the ability to work as part of a larger research team. Report production
outlining period specific findings will be required as part of this post. Ultimately the data
generated will be used to develop a narrative aimed at understanding the cultural complexities
of death, mourning, burial and memorialisation in Britain across the period ca. 4000BC through
until the early post-Medieval period in Britain.
In your covering letter please refer directly to the criteria, given in the person specification
below. Applications are assessed by the selection panel according to these criteria.
GENERIC JOB DESCRIPTION
The job duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of
the role. The duties and responsibilities and the balance between the elements in the role
may change or vary over time depending on the specific needs at a specific point in time or
due to changing needs in the department. Candidates should note that there may not be an
immediate requirement to carry out all the activities listed below.
Overall Purpose of the Role
This is an entry level post and may be suitable for those planning to train and develop their
research skills so that they may take on a more senior research post in the future.
Research Staff at this level will assist an individual research leader or team to carry out a
particular study or studies.
The research assistant will receive close supervision and direction from more senior
colleagues and will receive academic, pastoral support and guidance which may include
specific training, career counselling and mentoring.
The main focus of the work will involve the generation or collection of data using standard
methods which have been developed by others. The role holder will assist with analysis and
interpretation of results and the drafting of research reports and publications.
Main Work Activities
1. Pro-actively contribute to the research project and conduct own research to include:
 Gather, prepare, analyse and assist with interpretation of data
 Conduct literature and database searches
 Write up research results
2. Contribute to the management of research projects to include:
 Contribute to the development of the research strategy
 Plan literature reviews within the framework of the agreed programme
3. Prepare reports describing the results of the research for both internal and external review
to include:
 Contribute to the production of research reports and publications
 Present information on research progress and outcomes to research supervisor
4. Work positively with colleagues in the research team and other collaborators and partners
and support staff on routine matters both inside and outside the University
 Make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and
form relationships for future collaboration.
 Actively participate as a member of the research team which may involve attending
and contributing to relevant meetings.
5. Provide guidance as required to support staff who may be assisting with the research.
6. Demonstrate evidence of own personal and professional development including:
 Appraisal, induction and performance reviews
 Participation in training and development activity
 Maintenance of links with professional institutions and other related bodies
Additionally the post holder will be required to:
 Fulfil the employees’ duties described in the University’s health and safety policies and
co-operate with the health and safety arrangements in place within the department.
 Show a commitment to diversity, equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices
This includes undertaking mandatory equality and diversity training
 Comply with University regulations, policies and procedures
PERSON SPECIFICATION – Research Band 6 Specification
Essential
Education and Training
Formal qualifications and relevant
training
Work Experience
Ability to undertake duties of the post
Skills and Knowledge
Includes abilities and intellect
Personal Qualities
Desirable
Examples Measured by
 Undertaking, or willing to undertake
a PhD in a relevant discipline or
have equivalent experience in
archaeological/historic research.
 BSc, BA or Masters degree in
relevant discipline at 2:1 or above
Application
Interview
Other
 Data collection
 Analysis and interpretation of
results
 Drafting research reports,
participating in scientific
conferences and contributing to
drafting scientific publications
 Report editing
Application
Interview
Other
 Collaborative working and
networking to enhance research
 Evidence of effective management
of resources
 Be able to plan, prioritise and
organise work schedule to achieve
defined outcomes with support from
senior colleagues
 An expectation to positively
contribute to University activities and
initiatives including open days,
admissions, graduation ceremonies
 Ability to use initiative, reasoning
and creativity to solve problems
as part of a team.
Application
Interview
Other
etc. and willingness to undertake
administrative activities
 Working in an open and transparent
way, providing information and
communicating with colleagues
 Collaborative working, particularly
on interdisciplinary activities.
 Continuous Professional
Development.