Research Assistant in Sociology/Criminology job with DURHAM UNIVERSITY

Department of Sociology

Grade 6: – £27,116 per annum (pro rata)

Fixed Term – Part Time
Contract Duration: 12 months
Contracted Hours per Week: 21
Closing Date: 12-Apr-2022, 6:59:00 AM

Durham University

Durham University is one of the world’s top universities with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people’s lives.

The University sits in a beautiful historic city where it shares ownership of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral, the greatest Romanesque building in Western Europe. A collegiate University, Durham recruits outstanding students from across the world and offers an unmatched wider student experience.

Less than 3 hours north of London, and an hour and a half south of Edinburgh, County Durham is a region steeped in history and natural beauty. The Durham Dales, including the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are home to breathtaking scenery and attractions. Durham offers an excellent choice of city, suburban and rural residential locations. The University provides a range of benefits including pension and childcare benefits and the University’s Relocation Manager can assist with potential schooling requirements.

Durham University seeks to promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for work and study that assists all members of our University community to reach their full potential. Diversity brings strength and we welcome applications from across the international, national and regional communities that we work with and serve.

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 four themes:  Communities and Social Justice, Health and Social Theory, Higher Education and Social Inequality and Violence and Abuse.

The Role

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant in Criminology/Sociology with a particular emphasis on policing/criminal justice sectors. The research project is titled: Organisational Purposes for Data Recording of Honour Based Violence and Abuse (HBVA), Forced Marriages (FM) and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), is led by Dr Geetanjali Gangoli (Durham University) and Dr Nikki D’Souza (Northumbria University).

The aims of the project are:

• To critically investigate the police recording of HBV/A, including FM and FGM and work with five forces across the NE and NW with the potential for national scalability as part of a larger project.  
• To collate and analyse data in relation to the police recording of HBV/A to improve identification and recording, enhancing police interventions and exposing the extent of such offending in local communities (including in Gypsy, Roma Traveller and LGBT communities in respect of FM in particular) while improving victim outcomes.  
• To work with third sector organisations to explore their data and map across to police records for numbers of referrals and how these are subsequently recorded, as well as those that are not referred, to enable the extent of such offending and victimisation to be identified.

The successful applicant will be expected to work with the PIs to undertake data collection; data analysis, report writing and analysis.

Responsibilities:

• Undertake a literature review and synthesise key findings
• Undertake the design of relevant research tool, undertake focus groups and interviews and liaise with partners 
• Analyse anonymised datasets
• Participate in report writing and dissemination activities and outputs. 
• To understand and convey information which needs careful explanation to the team or group of people through presentations, discussions and meetings which contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• To write up results of research work, present information on research progress and outcomes to bodies supervising research in a clear and accurate manner.
• To analyse or undertake basic research by deciding how best to apply existing methodology according to overall context and objectives.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To assist in contributing to support student projects on the use of research methods and equipment. 
• 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 attending relevant training and development courses.   
• Willingness to travel within the UK for data collection and dissemination.

This post is fixed term for 12 months; the project is time limited and will end on 31st March 2023.

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.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1st April 2022

How to Apply

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Geetanjali Gangoli by email at ge****************@du****.uk. All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.

We prefer to receive applications online via the Durham University Vacancies Site. https://www.dur.ac.uk/jobs/. As part of the application process, you should provide details of 3 (preferably academic/research) referees and the details of your current line manager so that we may seek an employment reference.

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in the University.

What to Submit

All applicants are asked to submit:

• A CV and covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above;

Next Steps

The assessment for the post will include an online interview. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.

The Requirements

Essential:

• A good first degree in Sociology/Criminology or a cognate subject.
• Experience in conducting basic academic research or providing research assistance, including the use of standard research methods.
• Demonstrable ability to produce concise and well-written reports for a range of stakeholders.
• Experience in working with large databases, particularly within the criminal justice sector.
• Knowledge of mixed methods, and analysis. 
• Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
• Ability to manage time effectively and work to strict deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders.

Desirable:

• A PhD (or be close to submission) in Sociology/Criminology or a related subject.
• Experience of conducting high-quality academic research.
• Experience of preparing academic papers.
• Ability to assist in the provision of support to student projects.
• Ability to contribute to the planning and management of independent research. 

DBS Requirement: Not Applicable.