Research Associate - Cardiff Business School

Please note that this job is open only to current members of staff of Cardiff University who are eligible for redeployment.

Research Associate
Project on Fair Work During the Digital and Green Transition

We are seeking to recruit an outstanding individual to work on a research project on fair work during the green and digital transition (E-GRUiEN), funded by Horizon Europe, the key funding programme of the European Union. This interdisciplinary project investigates how social dialogue institutions can protect, represent, and include precarious and non-standard workers during significant economic transformations. The position offers a unique opportunity to conduct high-quality empirical research while collaborating closely with leading researchers across Europe.

E-GRUiEN is a collaborative project involving teams from various European countries, focusing on sectors such as automotive, energy, care services, and transport. The research aims to shape effective social dialogue practices and enhance protections for workers in the context of the green and digital transition. The Cardiff University team is responsible for the UK-based research and leads the automotive work package of the project.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates with a degree in a social science field such as employment relations, organisational studies, sociology, economics, or political science. Knowledge of employment relations, social dialogue, labour market dynamics, and the digital and green transitions, along with experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods, will be highly advantageous. A commitment to high-quality academic research, excellent communication and organisational skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a diverse team are essential.

The full-time role (35 hours per week) is immediately available on a fixed-term basis for 30 months. Key goals of the project include publishing high-quality journal articles and will provide support towards developing an academic career.

For further information, please contact Professor Marco Hauptmeier at hauptmeierm@cardiff.ac.uk.

Salary: £40,247 - £45,163 per annum (Grade 6)

Closing date: Friday, 20 December 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Job Description

Main function
To conduct research on the Digital and Green Transition within the fields of employment relations, organisation studies, political science or sociology of work and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality journal articles.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Research

1. To develop and execute the research objectives for the research project on 'Encouraging a Digital and Green Transition through Revitalised and Inclusive Union-Employer Negotiations' funded by the European Union Horizon programme.
2. To conduct research on the Digital and Green Transition within the fields of employment relations, organisation studies and sociology of work and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including publishing in academic journals and presenting at academic conferences.
3. To conduct research and collect data for the research project, using a variety of instruments, including interviews, documentary research and internet-based research.
4. To review and synthesise existing research literature on the green and digital transformation and related employment relations, collective negotiations and social partnership.
5. To undertake administrative tasks associated with this research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and research.
6. To participate in the activities of Cardiff Business School's Employment Research Unit.
7. To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, explore future research opportunities, and share research ideas for the benefit of the research project.

Other

1. To engage effectively with organisations such as labour unions, employers' organisations, political parties, political campaign organizations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally, nationally and internationally to raise awareness of the School's profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional, national and international profile.
2. To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance learning of skills, career progression and performance.
3. To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
4. Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Additional Information

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES
It is the University's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criterion as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (19557BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.

Cardiff Business School
Cardiff Business School is a leading business and management school in the UK, holding AACSB and AMBA accreditations and ranked 1st for its Research Environment and 2nd on Research Power (REF2021). The School has a Public Value purpose and focuses on the co-creation of high quality, interdisciplinary education and knowledge that delivers economic, social and environmental value. The School's activities are oriented towards five Grand Challenges: Decent work, fair and sustainable economies, future organisations, good governance, and responsible innovation.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1. Postgraduate Degree at PhD level (or nearing completion) in a relevant field of study such as employment relations, organisation studies, sociology of work or political science. It is essential that the candidate has successfully passed the PhD viva without major revisions.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

1. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research within the research fields of employment relations.
2. Proven knowledge of current status of research and literature in the following specialist fields: employment relations and organisation studies, in particular on the specific topics of the digital and green transition, collective negotiations and social partnership.
3. Proven ability to publish in academic journals.
4. Proven ability to interview senior professionals.
5. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding and ability to develop applications to funding bodies.

Communication and Team Working

1. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team working within work.

Desirable Criteria

1. Relevant professional qualification. A fully awarded PhD degree.
2. Proven ability to work without close supervision.
3. Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the project, School and wider university.
4. A willingness to take responsibility for the organization, governance and execution of the research project.