Job Description

Job title

Senior Research Officer, Institute for Social and Economic Research

Job reference

REQ03277

Application closing date

06/01/2020

Location

Colchester

Salary

£33,797 - £40,322 per annum, pro-rata for part-time

Employment type

Fixed-term, Full-time (part-time considered)

Job category/type

Research

Job description

The Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER)The Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER), at the University of Essex, has a worldwide reputation as a multidisciplinary centre of quantitative social science research and as a producer of household panel data of the highest quality. 

ISER is seeking to appoint two quantitative social scientists in sociology, demography or an allied field to the post of Senior Research Officer to contribute to the research programme of the ESRC-funded Research Centre on Micro-Social Change (MiSoC). MiSoC, created in 1989, is one of the longest running ESRC-funded research centres in the UK. Since its inception, MiSoC's focus has been on analysing the behaviour of individuals and families and how they are shaped by policy and social and economic trends. Its research programme is wide-ranging and multi-disciplinary, and for this post we are looking for two candidates with strong backgrounds in the study of migration and social stratification who can contribute to research on migration, intergenerational mobility, and ethnic inequality as part of the 2019-2024 MiSoC programme.

Duties of the RoleThe Institute is looking for candidates to work directly with MiSoC researchers to help prepare data, conduct quantitative analysis, and co-author excellent publications. The person appointed will also have their own coherent and fertile independent research agenda that is consistent with Strand 3 of the MiSoC programme, and should be able to demonstrate the potential to publish at the highest level.

This is a research position and there are no teaching duties associated with this post. Whilst it is a University standard expectation that post holders contribute to applications for external research funding at this level, applicants for this post will not be expected to generate income during the period of this appointment.

The post holder will also be expected to actively participate in ISER's departmental research culture including meetings, seminars and workshops.

A full list of duties and responsibilities can be found within the job pack.

Qualifications and Skills requiredApplicants are required to hold a Doctoral level degree in a relevant social science discipline, or be close to completion of PhD.

Experience in undertaking research in the fields of migration and social stratification, and of data management, statistical analysis and programming in Stata, R or similar software package is essential. You will also possess knowledge of quantitative methods for social scientists and experience of, or a demonstrable interest in, research areas that form Strand 3 of the research programme of the ESRC Research Centre on Micro-Social Change.

Applicants at this level are expected to have evidence of a developing research agenda and experience of contributing to small research programmes or defined areas of larger projects, and of developing research objectives and proposals.

These posts are fully funded by the MiSoC Research Centre for a 24-month period. Whilst they are full-time posts, part-time working will be considered at a minimum of 0.85 FTE (30.6 hours per week).

At the University of Essex, internationalism and diversity is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries, faiths and backgrounds, where you can find the world in one place.

To support this commitment we have our Global Forum, a staff-led network that promotes and celebrates the rich cultural diversity among Essex staff, and our Colchester campus based Faith Centre, which hosts regular services, meetings and events organised by our chaplains and faith representatives. For more information see: https://www.essex.ac.uk/life/student-facilities/religion-and-faith

Please see the attached job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application.  Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please telephone the Resourcing Team (01206 876559).