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Job Number: 23001153 )
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.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.
The Role and Department
We 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, we 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, Durham) 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.
We 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.
Durham Earth Sciences is one of the very best UK Earth Science departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in research and teaching. More information on the department, its research and its facilities can be found at https://www.dur.ac.uk/earth.sciences/.
Responsibilities:
- To support the investigators in developing a data analysis plan.
- To conduct the data analysis on primary and secondary data, deciding how best to apply existing methodology according to overall context and objectives.
- 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 write up results of research work, present information on research progress and outcomes to bodies supervising research in a clear and accurate manner.
- 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 have regular meetings with the investigators and to be able to work as part of a team with them.
- 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 the planning of research projects.
- To follow the research code of ethics and protect confidential data at all times.
- 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.
- To engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses.
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.
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.
- 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 and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
- Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- 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.
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 and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our 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 of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
Contact Information
Department contact for academic-related enquiries
Prof Claire J Horwell. Email: claire.horwell@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).
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;
- A covering letter which details your experience, skills and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria. Please explain how you meet each criterion in your cover letter.
We will notify you on the status of 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 ensure you receive all emails.
Next Steps
Short-listed candidates will be invited to an online interview with Prof Horwell and Associate Professor de Terte in mid-August. Please prepare a 10-minute presentation on your relevant experience.
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 https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/ 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
Essential Criteria:
1. A Master’s degree in a qualitative social science subject.
2. Demonstrable experience in analysing qualitative interview data including use of appropriate methods and software such as NVivo.
3. Demonstrable experience in academic writing such as published first-author journal articles.
4. Excellent time management and organisational capabilities.
5. Fluent English speaker.
Desirable Criteria:
6. A PhD in a qualitative social science subject.
7. Experience designing data analysis plans.
