Postdoctoral Research Associate

Postdoctoral Research Associate (

Job Number:

25000338)

Department of Philosophy

Grade 7: - £38,249 per annum

Fixed Term - Full Time

Contract Duration: 4 months

Contracted Hours per Week: 35

Working Arrangements: To be agreed with line manager

Closing Date

: 01-Apr-2025, 10:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

Working at Durham University

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.

The Role and Department

The Philosophy Department at Durham University is a centre for world-leading research in a wide range of fields, with four main research clusters: 'Aesthetics, Ethics and Politics'; 'History of Philosophy'; 'Mind, Language and Metaphysics' and 'Science, Medicine and Society'. It is home to the Centre for Engaging Science and Society (CHESS) and has strong links with other interdisciplinary research centres and institutes at Durham. At postgraduate and undergraduate level, students can choose from a wide range of topics spanning the whole discipline of philosophy. The department has one of the largest PhD programmes in the UK, and many of our students go on to pursue highly successful academic careers.

The Role

We are seeking an enthusiastic and ambitious Postdoctoral Research Associate to complement the skills of the research team for project Social Outcomes and Benefit-Sharing of Enhanced Soils. Project Leads are Dr Simona Capisani and Prof Karen Johnson and you will contribute to the analysis of collected qualitative data, data interpretation, and possible write-up using a range of analytic methodologies alongside the PI. The applicant should have (1) extensive experience with social science research and qualitative research methods and (2) should have experience coding and analysing qualitative data from semi-structured and in-depth interviews, workshop participant observations, focus groups, qualitative surveys etc. Experience in using qualitative data analysis tools and software (such as NVivo) is important. A candidate who has had prior experience with document analysis, thematic analysis (an inductive qualitative data analysis method) and discourse analysis (focusing on the use of language in social contexts) is ideal. Researchers who have good knowledge of - or who have engaged in research with - farming and rural communities, issues of soil and environmental change, climate resilience, biodiversity policy, and/or environmental politics are desired. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from under-represented groups and we value and promote diversity and equality at all levels of the project.

Key Responsibilities:

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
  
  

This post is fixed term for 4 to 4.5 months; the funding for this post is available from 1st May 2025 for this fixed period only; the project is time limited and will end on 31st October 2025.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1st May 2025.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme. As a new member of staff, you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On-site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependent visas.
  
  

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our workforce, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.

If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application.

Contact Information

Department contact for academic-related enquiries

Any enquiries on the advertised post or project should be directed to PI Dr Simona Capisani at simona.capisani@durham.ac.uk

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).

University Contact For General Queries About The Recruitment Process

For general queries, please contact e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

How To Apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What To Submit

All applicants are asked to submit:

• a CV and cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.
  
  

Next Steps

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will normally include an interview and we anticipate that the interviews will take place over two days in or around week commencing 7th April 2025 (please note that this may be subject to change).

In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential Criteria:

• A good first degree in political science, geography, sociology, anthropology, political theory, or a related social science field.
• A PhD (or be close to submission) in Political science, geography, sociology, anthropology, political theory, or a related social science field.
  
  

Experience

• Experience in conducting relevant high quality academic research.
• Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.
• Experience in using qualitative data analysis tools and software (such as NVivo).
• Extensive experience with social science research and qualitative research methods.
• Experience with document analysis, thematic analysis (an inductive qualitative data analysis method) and discourse analysis (focusing on the use of language in social contexts).
• Experience coding and analysing qualitative data from semi-structured and in-depth interviews, workshop participant observations, focus groups, qualitative surveys etc.
  
  

Skills

• Demonstrable ability to complete high level qualitative research.
• Demonstrable ability to conduct qualitative research/data analysis.
• Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
• Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  
  

Desirable Criteria

Experience

• A researcher who has good knowledge of - or who has engaged in research with - farming and rural communities, issues of soil and environmental change, climate resilience, biodiversity policy, and/or environmental politics is ideal.
• A researcher who has the capability and experience to consider how soil guidance and policy might be changed by upcoming legislation around biodiversity and climate change is ideal.
  
  

Skills

• Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.