Research Assistant Jobs

The University

At our client they are proud of their people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting -They are a university like no other. They believe that inspiring their people to do outstanding things at them enables their people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University they have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make them a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within their region and nationally. They would be thrilled if you would consider joining their thriving University.

The Role and Department

They are looking to hire a capable and independent researcher with demonstrable experience in analysing semi-structured, qualitative interview data. Candidates will have a background in Psychology or a social science discipline such as Sociology, Human Geography or Social Anthropology. Ideally, candidates will have already completed a PhD or nearly completed a PhD.

The role involves the analysis of around 20 transcribed, hour-long interviews from passengers and crew who were on flight BA009 in 1982, which flew through a volcanic ash cloud and almost crashed when all engines failed. The research focusses on the health impacts from the experience and behaviours of passengers and crew during the crisis.

The interview and transcription process should be completed by the end of July 2023. Due to a publication deadline in mid-2024, they require a full-time researcher, for 4.5 months, starting in August or early September 2023. Candidates must be fluent English speakers and will be able to work remotely, with regular online meetings with the research team: Prof Claire J. Horwell (Department of Earth Sciences) who is an expert in the health impacts of volcanic eruptions and Associate Professor Ian de Terte (Massey University, New Zealand), a clinical trauma psychologist.

They expect the successful applicant to work with the investigators to design the data analysis plan and then to conduct the data analysis on both interview data and secondary data. The researcher will be a co-author on the resulting manuscript/s.

Their Earth Sciences is one of the very best UK Earth Science departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in research and teaching.

Responsibilities

• To support the investigators in developing a data analysis plan.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To understand and convey information which needs careful explanation to the team or group of people through discussions, meetings and reports which can be readily adapted for an academic journal article.
• To follow the research code of ethics and protect confidential data at all times.
• 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 engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses.???
• To contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To conduct the data analysis on primary and secondary data, deciding how best to apply existing methodology according to overall context and objectives.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• 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 write up results of research work, present information on research progress and outcomes to bodies supervising research in a clear and accurate manner.
• To have regular meetings with the investigators and to be able to work as part of a team with them.

This post is fixed term for 4.5 months, with funding available from August 2023, for this fixed period only; the project is time limited.

The post-holder is employed to work on 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 research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 21 August 2023.