Research Assistant/Postdoctoral Research Associate
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF XXX
Research And Teaching
-GRADE 6/7
Job Purpose
To assist on the project entitled, “XXX”, within the School of XXX in the College of
Social Sciences. To support the PI in the successful delivery of the project.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
To undertake research as a research team member on the project exploring XXX:
1. Conduct literature and database searches, and assist with literature reviews,
including through the production of annotated bibliographies of key literature in the
field, or similar approaches to summary literature collection and review.
2. Assist and contribute to the methodological design of the research.
3. Assist in all stages of the research from data collection to data analysis and writing
up. The research will involve quantitative analysis of key market data; qualitative
analysis of interviews with key participants; knowledge exchange, and theoretical
work in the field.
4. Assist in the writing up of research findings; the documentation of research results
for inclusion in papers, reports and presentations and preparation of designated parts
of such papers, reports and presentations.
5. Presentation of research findings at national and international meetings and/or
provide assistance to other colleagues in this.
6. Keep up to date with current developments in the research area and relevant
research methods, and to advance through self-driven research and study.
7. Maintain records and databases, and undertake any general administration/clerical
tasks supporting the research project.
8. Collaborate with colleagues in the research team and beyond, and participate in
team meetings/discussions and research group activities.
9. Interview transcription.
10. Other project duties as required by the line manager.
For appointment at Grade 7 the post holder would be expected to demonstrate a
degree of leadership in publishing work and the capacity to act with a degree of
independence to determine the direction of the research project in some of its
elements including:
• Taking the lead on writing up of research findings; the documentation of research
results for inclusion in papers, reports and presentations, and preparation of
designated parts of such papers, reports and presentations.
• Effective dissemination of research findings and training materials to diverse
audience (including through publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentation of
results at appropriate national and international workshops and conferences, etc.).
• Developing and maintaining external collaborations
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Essential:
A1 Good first degree in relevant subject.
Desirable:
B1 Completion of, or working towards, PhD in relevant subject or the equivalent in
professional qualifications and experience
For appointment at Grade 7
Essential:
A3 Appropriate good first degree in relevant subject.
A4 PhD in relevant subject or the equivalent in professional qualifications and
experience.
Desirable:
B1 Knowledge of contemporary debates and developments in research area.
B2 Up-to-date knowledge of the relevant research literature.
Skills
Essential
C1 Capacity to undertake quantitative and/or qualitative research in the field
C2 Ability to communicate in a variety of forms at all levels within the School, College
and University, and beyond, in the policy and academic communities.
C3 Ability to foster collegiality.
C4 Ability to produce accurate work to deadlines
C5 Ability to write clear research reports
For appointment at Grade 7
C6 Ability to demonstrate a leadership role and manage more junior staff engaged in
research, as appropriate
Desirable
D1 Capacity to contribute to both the quantitative and qualitative elements of the
project.
For appointment at Grade 7
D5 Potential to foster collaboration in research with other academics and policy
audiences.
Experience
Essential
E1 1-2 years research experience in relevant field.
E2 Experience of employing relevant research methods
E3 Capacity to communicate research to the academic and policy communities
For appointment at Grade 7
E4 1-2 years postdoctoral research experience, or equivalent, in relevant area.
E5 Experience of managing research, whether as part of a team or as an
independent researcher managing your own research project/programme.
E6 Evidence of research presentations at conferences and seminars
Desirable
For appointment at Grade 7
F1 Advanced experience in using a wide range of relevant research methods
Job Features
Planning and Organising
• Planning activities and working towards deadlines
• Using methodological tools where appropriate
• Assisting with designing research activities
• Assisting in the planning of research outputs
• Plan, organise and manage publication and conference presentation activities
related to one's own and team's work
• Plan, organise and manage research and administrative tasks related to one's own
and team's work
• Be responsive to emerging problems in the research methods, and adapt
accordingly
• React to junior colleagues’ needs in relation to supervision, mentoring and support.
Internal/External Relationships
• Frequent liaison with project team, external collaborators, local collaborators,
academic staff and students for the exchange of information as part of the research
process
• Liaise with a range of staff, from within the University and from other institutions,
regarding research and knowledge transfer development
Decision Making
• Prioritise own work
• In consultation with supervisors, deciding on research goals and directions
• Make informed decisions in relation to research fieldwork and research-related
activities
Problem Solving
• Numerous technical questions with regard to research issues
• Assisting with problems relating to delivery of results
• Assisting in progress towards evaluation and analysis of results
• Relatively independent resolution of issues of an academic nature arising in
research and publication work