"Research Fellow - School of Social Policy and Society - 105492 - Grade 7"

Research Fellow - School of Social Policy and Society - 105492 - Grade 7

United Kingdom

Job Description

Position Details

School of Social Policy and Society

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

Full-time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413, with potential progression once in post to £48,149.

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to April 2028

Closing date: 15th May 2025

Background

We invite applications for a Research Fellow working in the social science team as part of the Cellular Agriculture Manufacturing Hub (CARMA), funded by the EPSRC. The post holder will be part of work package five, ‘Understanding and influencing the social issues of Cell Ag,’ with Dr. Neil Stephens. The term Cellular Agriculture refers to a set of technological innovations that seek to manufacture products traditionally associated with agricultural environments through new systems that operate at the cellular level in bioreactor systems. Examples include cultured meat and precision fermentation approaches to milk, oils, and other foodstuffs. These novel technologies are in the early stages of development and invoke a wide range of socio-cultural issues. This work package aims to analyze this cultural politics.

The post holder will contribute to both the core work of work package five and will also be expected to collaborate with CARMA members in other work packages, including the other core social science-led work package six on Engaging publics and policy, and other more technical work packages as appropriate. The post holder will be expected to lead on conducting high-quality focus group research with UK publics about cellular agriculture, including an emphasis on cultured meat. There will also be scope for the post holder to develop their own area of research interest on cellular agriculture, in discussion with the work package team. A range of other commensurate tasks will be expected, including data collection, policy analysis, writing and dissemination, engagement work, and grant capture.

CARMA is a multidisciplinary, multisector, and multisite network. The post holder will need to operate effectively in a team with academics from STEM and social science disciplines, as well as people in the private and third sector. The position will be based within the Department of Social Policy, Sociology, and Criminology, in the School of Social Policy and Society at the University of Birmingham. The role will be well-suited to candidates with a strong track record in various social science disciplines, including but not limited to sociology, Science and Technology Studies, geography, anthropology, politics, social psychology, and food studies. A capacity for conducting qualitative social science, including focus groups, will be important. Knowledge about issues related to novel technology or food and agriculture will also be useful. Work package five seeks to deliver constructive but critical engagement with cellular agriculture, and a capacity to deliver this engagement within the interdisciplinary environment of CARMA will be important.

Further information about the broader CARMA project is available here.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids.
• Operate within the area of specialism.
• Analyze and interpret research findings and results.
• Contribute to generating funding.
• Contribute to licensing or spin-out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar.

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the following:

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance from a mentor if required.
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding.
• Analyze and interpret data.
• Apply knowledge in a way that develops new intellectual understanding.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars, etc.
• Supervise students on research-related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques, and methods.
• Undertake management/administration arising from research.
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration.
• Contribute to enterprise, business development, and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under the supervision of a project leader.
• Collect research data through various research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example, at seminars and as posters.
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research.
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
• Promote equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to the research area or equivalent qualifications.
• High-level analytical capability.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques, or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones.
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
• Contribute to the planning and organizing of the research programme and/or specific research project.
• Coordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Informal enquiries to Neil Stephens, email: n.stephens@bham.ac.uk.

We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter, and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.