Research Fellow (Qualitative)

Full time
Fixed term until 31 March 2027

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 18 June 2023.
Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 28 June 2023.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

This role will require membership of the PVG scheme. An offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory outcome of this process.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a postdoctoral role 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 University of Stirling is recruiting a qualitative researcher to take forward an exciting programme of research from now until 2027 which will develop a regional case study of Stirling and Clackmannanshire to contribute to the Centre’s overall programme of research.

Connecting Generations Centre (CG) is an ESRC funded research centre which examines the ways different generations are connected and how these connections shape, and are shaped by, social, demographic and economic change. Connecting Generations is a work programme within the Centre for Population Change. The Centre website is at
https://www.cpc.ac.uk/research_programme/connecting_generations/#Current

The Research Fellow will work closely with Professor Bowes, Dr Dawson and Dr Pemble, developing and delivering the case study. The work will be conducted in close consultation with the City Deal team. We are seeking a specialist in qualitative research with an intergenerational perspective. Skills in working with young people (18+) will be particularly welcome. Our data will include interviews, focus groups, and visual data. There will be opportunities for involvement in impact activities, especially in the later stages of the project. You will report to the Principal Investigator, Professor Alison Bowes.

Please see the attached Further Particulars for full details of the post.

Working with the PI and team, you will:

• Be responsible for helping to design the research on an ongoing basis, recruiting participants and collecting qualitative data at several stages during the project
• You will assist in obtaining ethical approval, and in the preparation of research materials including information sheets, consent forms and research instruments
• Data collection will include various methods, including interviews, workshops, and focus groups, all of which will involve careful and systematic recording
• You will implement analysis of this qualitative data, which you will manage using NVivo, following protocols agreed by the team
• You will contribute to the synthesis of multi-method datasets
• You will assist in preparing publications and other communications such as web information and social media posts on these aspects of the work, liaising with the Southampton team
• Throughout, your work will involve a co-production approach which values multiple and diverse contributions, and researchers will be linking regularly with the City Region Deal development
• As a full member of the Connecting Generations team, you will participate in team activities at national level

• Hold a PhD in a relevant discipline
• Experience of successfully conducting high quality research both independently and collaboratively within strict timescales
• Advanced skills in qualitative data collection and analysis, including expertise in using NVivo for data management and analysis
• Excellent collaboration skills with a diverse range of research partners and stakeholders
• Understanding and awareness of research governance and ethical issues in research, and of obtaining ethical approval
• Excellent communication skills including experience of writing/contributing to publications, presentation and social media skills
• Experience of writing for academic publication
• Active interest in and understanding of intergenerational issues, which may include a focus on young people (18+), mid-life or older people
• Understanding of and commitment to co-productive working

• Experience of working with young people aged 18+
• Experience of working in an intergenerational context
• Experience of co-production research
• Experience of intergenerational research
• A record of high quality publications
• Experience of mixed methods research

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.

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