"Postdoctoral Research Associate in Race, Gender and class in foundational studies in British Sociology (Job Number: 25001072)"

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Race, Gender and class in foundational studies in British Sociology (Job Number: 25001072)

Department of Sociology

Grade 7: - £38,249 per annum

Fixed Term - Full Time

Contract Duration: 12 months

Contracted Hours per Week: 35

Working Arrangements: To be arranged with LM

Closing Date: 27-Aug-2025, 6:59:00 AM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

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The Department

The Department of Sociology was established in 1964 initially as a Department of Social Theory and Institutions.  The Department delivers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Sociology, Criminology and Social Work and supports the delivery of a faculty research methods programme as part of the collaborative NINEDTP. The Department’s research strategy is built around five themes:  Communities and Social Justice; Health and Social Theory; Higher Education and Social Inequality; Violence and Abuse and Criminal Justice, Social Harm and Inequalities.

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Sociology with a particular emphasis on the study of social class and its intersections with race and gender. Funded by an award from the Economic and Social Research Council’s Secondary Data Analysis Initiative, this project led by Dr Stephen Ashe (profile here) seeks to offer an intersectional re-reading of the original data and associated para-data from key studies considered foundational to the sociology of class in Britain. More specifically, this historical-sociological project will analyse original datasets deposited with the UK Data Service, including original interview documents, researchers’ notes and supplementary study materials newly digitised as part of the project by the Special Collections team at the University of Essex.

Working with Dr Ashe and Professor Vikki Boliver (see here), the successful applicant will be expected to lead on the thematic qualitative analyse of the aforementioned interview documents, researchers’ notes and supplementary study materials, as well as support project administration. The successful applicant will also be expected to contribute to the production of a minimum of four peer-reviewed journal articles suitable for submission to REF2029, and lead on the writing of at least one of these articles.

The co-primary investigators for this project are willing to negotiate the successful applicant starting work on the project between January and March 2025. They are also open to hybrid working. That said, the successful applicant would be expected to be able to meet in Durham in person at least 1-2 times per month. The role may involve travelling to local archives to collect data in person, as well as travelling to present project findings at national and international conferences.

Key responsibilities:

• To thematically analyse original interview documents, researchers’ notes and supplementary study materials and convey findings to the research team and wider research group through discussions, written reports and presentations.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To develop a comprehensive review of the literature on the history of the sociology of class in Britain and its intersections with race and gender.
• To contribute to the production of high-quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Co-Principal Investigators.
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with the Co-Principal Investigators and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Co-Principal Investigators and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues internally and externally, including project partners at the UK Data Service (University of Essex), to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To contribute to the planning and administration of the research project, and pro-actively manage own research activity
• 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 participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.  

This post is fixed term for 12 months due to funding available, with an anticipated start date in early 2026.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/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 their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.