Job Number
BU03714
School/Department
College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Grade
7
Salary Information
£37,099 – £44,263 p.a.
Contract Duration
Fixed Term 24 months
Responsible to
Professor in Criminology & Criminal Justice
Closing Date
03-02-2025
We are seeking a Research Officer to conduct research on two ESRC funded projects. One of the projects is a pilot project which will monitor the impact of digital and other surveillance activities upon GRT and migrant Roma communities and groups. The research will consider key state surveillance practices affecting these communities across Europe with a particular focus on England and Wales (Theme II: Rights, Refugees and Marginalised Communities).
The second project entails working with the Environment Centre Wales, in partnership with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, to conduct mapping and assessment of co-produced innovation in local economies linked to sustainable food and energy production, flooding prevention, responses to pollution, and land management (Theme IV: Local Economies and Place Based Innovations).
The researcher will spend 3 days a week on Theme II: Rights, Refugees and Marginalised Communities, and 2 days a week on Theme IV: Local Economies and Place Based Innovations. The research is based in Bangor as part of the Wales Institute for Economic Research, Data & Methods (WISERD).
Applicants must have experience in research design, data collection and analysis relevant to the project themes. The position requires an individual with a PhD in a relevant social science area or related discipline, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills as he or she will be working with the WISERD team at Bangor and a wide range of research partners. The post holder must be able to travel to research sites within as well as outside the UK as necessary.
The researcher will actively contribute to publications, dissemination, impact, research development and capacity building.
The appointment will be full time and tenable from 1st March 2025.
Closing date for applications: 03/02/2025.
For informal enquiries, please contact: Prof. Martina Feilzer(m.feilzer@bangor.ac.uk, 01248 388171), or Dr Robin Mann (r.mann@bangor.ac.uk 01248 382232).
Committed to Equal Opportunities.
The Project
Research Officer: WISERD People, Places and the Public Sphere
The Wales Institute for Economic Research, Data & Methods (WISERD) has been awarded funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) matched from its partner Universities to undertake a three-year programme of policy relevant research addressing People, Places and the Public Sphere in Wales, the UK and Internationally. Research will be inter-institutional and multidisciplinary and will aim to produce new evidence on the changing nature of society.
Projects are led by the five WISERD partner institutions of Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Swansea and South Wales universities, supported by international collaborators from Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Australia.
The Bangor projects are led by Prof Martina Feilzer, Dr Bethan Loftus and Dr Robin Mann (Bangor University). The researcher will have an integral role in Theme II “Rights, Refugees and Marginalised Communities” and Theme IV “Local Economies and Place Based Innovations”, and will actively contribute to publications, dissemination, impact, research development and capacity building.
Purpose of the Job
• To conduct primary research for WISERD People, Places and the Public Sphere, Theme II “Rights, Refugees and Marginalised Communities” and Theme IV “Local Economies and Place Based Innovations”.
• To contribute to the activities of WISERD through publications, knowledge transfer and capacity building.
• To take an active role in the WISERD community, contributing to relevant research meetings, associated events and activities across the Institute.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Research duties:
• Research design and preparation.
• Data collection at research sites in Wales including interviews, participant observation and other methods.
• Data analysis using appropriate techniques.
• Research collaboration with colleagues in Bangor, WISERD and beyond.
• Dissemination of results of research in high quality peer-reviewed publications.
• Engagement with research stakeholders, policy makers, civil society organisations, and the wider community.
• Involvement in impact activities such as exhibitions, online dissemination of research findings for a lay audience, etc.
• Participation in bids for further externally-funded research.
• Engaging in scholarly and other relevant professional activities.
Knowledge exchange duties:
• Work with the WISERD communications officer to ensure that information on the project and its findings are disseminated appropriately and effectively to a range of stakeholders.
• To maximise the impact of WISERD’s research programme by engaging effectively in knowledge exchange and engagement activity with research users and non-academic partners.
Training and capacity building duties:
• Actively contribute to WISERD’s training and capacity building programme.
Administrative duties:
•Provide information and reports to the WISERD Hub and to meet funder and institute requirements in relation to reporting, specifically in relation to ResearchFish as requested and in a timely manner.
• Liaising with gatekeepers and research participants.
• Helping to promote the activities of WISERD in Bangor University and beyond.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.
•The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for them self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
· A PhD in relevant social science area, or be very close to completion
Desirable
· A recognized postgraduate research training qualification in social science
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
·Familiarity with existing social science research on borders, specifically the role of civil society and policing organisations relating to borders and migration
· Experience of conducting empirical research
· Experience of undertaking qualitative research and analysis
· Proven track record of conference presentations
Desirable
· Experience of conducting empirical research in the field of borders, migration, civil society and/or policing
· High quality publication track record commensurate with experience
· Experience of engagement and impact-related activity
Skills/Abilities
Essential
• Primary data collection skills (qualitative interviewing and/or participant observation and/or ethnographic research)
• Advanced social science data analysis skills
• Demonstrate good verbal and written skills and ability to present results appropriately • Demonstrate the ability to prioritise work load and work to deadlines
Desirable
• Demonstrate proven project management skills
• Demonstrate good computer skills, including MS Office. This could also include knowledge of specific research related software.
• Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team
• Any other skills / abilities relevant to the duties and responsibilities
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills
Other
Essential
· Fluency in English
· Demonstrate an understanding of the bilingual nature of the institution and area and the ensuing responsibilities
Desirable
· Welsh language skills. If applicants are not able to speak / write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so.
General
The 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 strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.
We are a member of Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University’s policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact. All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references. We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us.
When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas.
If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment. Candidates should also note that they may be required to apply for an ATAS certificate (Academic Approval Technology Scheme) from the Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control Centre of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before being able to apply for a visa – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University’s Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.
Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University’s Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.
