Research Assistant: Poverty Truth Commission

Research Assistant: Poverty Truth Commission (

Job Number

25000403)

Department of Sociology

Grade 6: - £30,805 per annum pro rata

Fixed Term - Part Time

Contract Duration: 18 months (dependant on start date, there is a fixed end date)

Contracted Hours per Week: 8

Closing Date: 14-Apr-2025, 10:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

The Department
The Department of Sociology has an outstanding reputation in research and education. We also hold an Athena SWAN silver award and the Department is committed to promoting equality for all within the workplace and creating a diverse, inclusive and supportive working environment.

The Role
We are looking to appoint a part-time Research Assistant on a research project working with those developing a Poverty Truth Commission within County Durham. In particular, this research is exploring what is being learnt by those involved from using the Poverty Truth Commission approach as a model of engagement seeking to tackle poverty in the County Durham context. The Poverty Truth Commission approach involves recruiting participants with lived experience of poverty within a specific local area (‘Community Commissioners’) who engage in dialogue with decision-makers from wider agencies (‘Civic Commissioners’) to effect change.

The Research Assistant will particularly work with Andrew Orton (as Principal Investigator from Durham University, who will be the immediate supervisor) and the Pioneering Care Partnership research team (who will be leading on research involving community commissioners). The role is funded via ESRC Impact Acceleration Account funding.

Responsibilities

• Build good working relationships with participants and wider partners.
• Organising and conducting interviews with civic commissioners and selected wider strategic stakeholders from public and voluntary sector agencies.
• Coding and thematically analysing data from these interviews and any related group sessions. We anticipate this will be conducted using NVIVO.
• Where required, providing occasional support to Pioneering Care Partnership researchers as they conduct qualitative data analysis of transcripts from individual interviews and group discussions involving community commissioners.
• Reviewing relevant literature to set this initiative in a broader academic context, and to support subsequent wider sharing of the findings.
• Writing up summaries of the analysis from the data arising from the civic commissioners and selected wider stakeholders.
• Work with the Principal Investigator, participants and research partners to adapt the research as it develops.
• To understand and convey information which needs careful explanation to the team or group of people.
• To write up results of research work, present information on research progress and outcomes.
• To analyse or undertake basic research by deciding how best to apply existing methodology.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding.
• To contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To assist in contributing to support student projects on the use of research methods and equipment.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses.

This post is fixed term for a fixed period only, due to time limited funding.

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.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme, and discounts with local bus and train companies.
• Comprehensive range of development courses and access to qualifications.
• Support for health and wellbeing.
• Family friendly policies.
• Opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our workforce including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

Contact Information
Department contact for academic-related enquiries
Dr Andrew Orton, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, a.j.orton@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. All applicants are asked to submit:

• a CV and covering letter which details your experience, skills and achievements.

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 a formal interview and we anticipate that these will take place during April 2025.