Research Fellow/Research Assistant (Social Sciences - Youth, Schools and Mindsport)
Location
Stirling | United Kingdom
Job description
Post Details
*A full time or part time position is available at both grades and job titles*
Full time/Part time
Fixed term for up to 36 months
Grade 6: £29,605 - £36,024 p.a. pro-rata or
Grade 7: £37,099 - £44,263 p.a. pro-rata
The closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday 13 March 2024
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
This role will require a membership of the PVG scheme. An offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory outcome of this process.
For the purposes of sponsorship, the post may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances under SOC code 2119.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
The Post
The Role
Are you looking to develop as a researcher, including your leadership capabilities and research impact skills? Are you interested in exploring innovation in school-based education? How could you contribute to a project which develops toolkits for young people, teachers and schools focused on mindsports?
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Research Fellow/Assistant to co-design and co-produce a study exploring the multiple dimensions of mindsport. Mindsport is an intellectual leisure pursuit, such as chess or the card game bridge. For this role, you do not need to know how to play any mindsport. The ideal candidate is a dynamic social science researcher and a good communicator, skilled in writing and critical thinking.
You will join an international project team involving a network of community stakeholders and practitioners in the field of mindsport. The three-year study includes six field sites in three countries (UK, USA and Norway) that will critically explore the opportunities for developing mindsport education in schools and across generations.
You will manage the day to day running of the project and lead the qualitative data collection and analysis. The role will be based at the University of Stirling and will require some travel across the UK, with opportunities for short periods of fieldwork in the USA and Norway. The Research Fellow/Assistant will be centrally involved in all aspects of the study including project development, stakeholder involvement, data collection and management (including working with community researchers in the USA and Norway), data analysis, research impact and dissemination of findings in a variety of formats for different audiences.
The Project
Over a three-year period, the project will gather evidence from the UK (Scotland and England), USA and Norway whilst drawing on case studies from The Netherlands, Denmark and Iceland to integrate our learning. You will use participatory and action-based approaches to develop innovative ways to promote and expand youth bridge. The project will create and evaluate practical outcomes and resources to inform and enhance practice and policy at local, national and international levels. There is potential for global research impact by enabling mindsport education to be taken seriously in schools and wider society.
Please see further project information (please see attached BAMSA Project Info PDF)
Informal enquiries are encouraged, please contact Prof Samantha Punch [email protected]
WHEN APPLYING FOR THIS ROLE
Please complete the on-line application form and submit:
- A covering letter indicating how you meet the criteria for the role
- An up-to-date CV
- One or two samples of your writing, preferably published work (if you have a co-author, include a statement in your covering letter indicating your writing contribution to the paper)
For the full details on the post please see attached job description.
Description of Duties
Grade 7:
You will be expected to:
- Lead on the organisation, collection and analysis of data including creative approaches to interview children and young people as well as other stakeholders (teachers and parents)
- Liaise closely with our international partners and community researchers in the British, US and Norwegian field sites (including qualitative interview training). Engage (remotely) in case study work with stakeholders in The Netherlands, Denmark and Iceland
- Co-produce a promotional and development toolkit with a wide range of international stakeholders
- Develop new concepts and ideas to extend intellectual understanding
- Assess, interpret and evaluate outcomes of research across the field sites
- Contribute to establishing a new academic field of Mindsport Studies and build an interdisciplinary Mindsport Research Network
- Write or contribute to reports, journal articles and conference presentations
- Organise seminars and advisory meetings, and maintain appropriate project records
- Contribute to research impact and communications, including the social media profile of the project
- Work to deadlines and closely with Prof Punch across all project tasks to ensure the successful implementation of the project
- Create and maintain good lines of communication with research partners, key stakeholders and research participants throughout the study
- Perform survey work (optional)
Grade 6:
You will be expected to:
- Undertake the organisation, collection and analysis of data including creative approaches to interview children and young people as well as other stakeholders (teachers and parents)
- Liaise closely with our international partners and community researchers in the British, US and Norwegian field sites (including support for community interviewers). Engage (remotely) in case study work with stakeholders in The Netherlands, Denmark and Iceland
- Assist the co-production of a promotional and development toolkit with a wide range of international stakeholders
- Contribute to the development of new concepts and ideas to extend intellectual understanding
- Support the interpretation and evaluation of research outcomes across the field sites
- Contribute to establishing a new academic field of Mindsport Studies and building an interdisciplinary Mindsport Research Network
- Contribute to reports, journal articles and conference presentations
- Co-organise seminars and advisory meetings, and maintain appropriate project records
- Contribute to research impact and communications, including the social media profile of the project
- Work to deadlines and provide direct support to Prof Punch with all project tasks to ensure the successful implementation of the project
- Support the creation and maintenance of good lines of communication with research partners, key stakeholders and research participants throughout the study
- Perform survey work (optional)
Essential Criteria
Grade 7
Qualifications
- Hold a relevant PhD or extensive relevant research experience
Knowledge/experience
- Have expertise in qualitative data collection and analysis
- Have experience of successfully conducting high quality research both independently and collaboratively within strict timescales
Skills/attributes
- Be comfortable talking to children and young people and a wide range of stakeholders including policymakers
- Be able to critically assess, interpret and evaluate the outcomes of research
- Have excellent communication (written and verbal) skills and experience of writing
- Be skilled in communicating complex and conceptual ideas to those without specialist knowledge in the field
- Have excellent organisation and planning skills, including experience in prioritising multiple tasks, and meeting significant deadlines
- Have experience of developing excellent relationships with research participants in a variety of settings
- Have strong attention to detail
Grade 6
Qualifications
- Hold a relevant Masters or relevant research experience and a good Honours Degree
Knowledge/experience
- Be competent in qualitative data collection and analysis
- Have experience of successfully conducting high quality research within strict timescales
Skills/attributes
- Be comfortable talking to children and young people and a wide range of stakeholders
- Be able to critically interpret and evaluate the outcomes of research
- Have excellent communication (written and verbal) skills and experience of writing and other research dissemination skills including presentation and social media skills
- Have experience of communicating complex and conceptual ideas to those without specialist knowledge in the field
- Have excellent organisation and planning skills, including experience in prioritising multiple tasks, and meeting significant deadlines
- Have experience of developing good relationships with research participants
- Have good attention to detail
Desirable Criteria
Grade 7:
- An academic understanding of (or desire to understand) sport, mindsport and/or leisure
- Knowledge of intergenerationality, youth/childhood studies, or education and curriculum-making
- Knowledge of educational policies in England or Scotland
- An understanding of and commitment to participatory action research
- Experience of researching with children or young people
- Experience of research impact and effective collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders
- Experience of using NVivo
- Experience of ethnography and willingness to undertake some ethnographic-style fieldwork in the USA and UK
- Experience of quantitative survey methods and quantitative data analysis
- Dissemination skills including presentation and social media skills
Grade 6:
- An academic understanding of (or desire to understand) sport, mindsport and/or leisure
- Knowledge of intergenerationality, youth/childhood studies, or education and curriculum-making
- Knowledge of educational policies in England or Scotland
- An understanding of and commitment to participatory (action) research
- Experience of researching with children or young people
- Experience of research impact and effective collaboration with stakeholders
- Experience of using NVivo
- Experience of ethnography and willingness to undertake some ethnographic-style fieldwork in the USA and UK
- Experience of quantitative survey methods and quantitative data analysis
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
- Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly. - Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards. - Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation. - Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles. - Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets. - Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values. - Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential. - Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process. - Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
The University
The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.
More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.
The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).
The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni
Available documents
Job tags
Salary
