Job Description

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

:

26-Aug-2025, 5:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement

:

Not Applicable.

Working at Durham University

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.


As one of the UK's leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.


We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it's also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.


Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.


Our Purpose and Values


We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.


Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page

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.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16. Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.


Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.


We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.


If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application.


The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Leader status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

Contact Information

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you're experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk


Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).

How to Apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.


While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What to Submit

All applicants are asked to submit:

a CV and cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below. One sample of published work (e.g. academic journal article, book chapter) or a chapter from a doctoral thesis.

Next Steps

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will normally include a presentation to staff in the Department followed by an interview and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over two days in or around September 2025.


In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date.


Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.


When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications

A good first degree in Sociology or a related subject. A PhD (or have submitted and awaiting Viva date) in Sociology or a related subject.

Experience

Demonstrate sound knowledge of the sociology of class in Britain from the 1960s onwards and/or the sociology of racism. Experience in conducting high quality, theoretically informed, thematic analysis of qualitative interview transcripts and/or archival/documentary data (e.g. newspapers articles and para-data linked to secondary datasets). Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals. Demonstrable ability to present research papers at national/international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.

Skills

Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings. Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable Criteria:

Experience

An emerging publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career. A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.

Experience in using qualitative data analysis computer software such as NVivo would be an advantage.

Skills

13.Demonstrable ability to plan and manage research, both independently and as part of a team