Research Assistant County Durham
Job description
The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here
The Role and Department
The Philosophy Department at Durham University is a centre for world-leading research in a wide range of fields, grouped into four research clusters:
1. Aesthetics, Ethics and Politics;
2. History of Philosophy;
3. Mind, Language and Metaphysics; and
4. Science, Medicine and Society.
It leads several interdisciplinary research centres, including the Centre for Humanities Engaging Science and Society (CHESS), the Durham Centre for Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, the Centre for the Ethics of Cultural Heritage and the Centre for the History of Medicine and Disease. Collaborative interdisciplinary research is at the heart of our research and impact strategy, as is our very strong performance in external research funding.
At both postgraduate and undergraduate level, students can choose from a wide range of topics spanning the whole discipline of philosophy. Admissions to the Department’s undergraduate programmes is competitive, and we consistently perform strongly in national rankings for philosophy. We have one of the largest PhD programmes in the UK and many of our students go on to pursue highly successful academic careers.
A research assistant is required for work on the AHRC sponsored project, Providing Credible Evidence For Singular Causal Claims. The project team consists of PI Prof Nancy Cartwright (Durham University) and co-I Prof Eileen Munro (LSE). The successful candidate will be expected to carry out literature searches, prepare summaries of published materials and help with research planning and drafting outputs (possibly co-authoring a published paper). They will also be required to set up the project website and coordinate administrative tasks such as liaising with the AHRC and research offices, maintaining the project budget, arranging and coordinating project events and arranging travel.
A good degree (Undergraduate or Master’s) is required, with some background in philosophy of science and it would be helpful to have some background in causation.
Responsibilities:
The successful applicant will be expected to
- To understand and convey information through presentations and discussions that contributes to the production of research reports and publications that may need careful explanation.
- 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 Co-I
- 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 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 continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses.
- To undertake literature searches and research to identify and analyse relevant work on causation, warrant and causal prediction.
- To contribute to the preparation of lectures and accompanying PowerPoint slides relevant to the research area.
- To set up and maintain a project website.
- To coordinate administrative tasks such as liaising with the AHRC and research offices, maintaining the project budget, arranging and coordinating project events and arranging travel.
This post is fixed term until 31 December 2025 as dictated by the budget and project plan already agreed with the funder.
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 1 July 2023, or as soon as possible thereafter.
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 and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
- 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, we can 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.
Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our 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 of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. 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
Department contact for academic-related enquiries
For informal enquiries please contact the Administrator/Outreach Officer Nicola Craigs at [email protected]. All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application
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 [email protected]
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).
University contact for general queries about the recruitment process
Michele Groark, HR Assistant (Recruitment) [email protected]
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 covering letter which details your experience, skills and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.
We will notify you on the status of 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 ensure you receive all emails.
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 an assessment and interview that we anticipate will take place late June/early July 2023.
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 https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/ 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:
- A good first degree
- Some background knowledge of theories and/or methodology of causation
- Some background knowledge in philosophy of science
- Some knowledge of social policy and practice research
- Experience in conducting basic academic research or providing research assistance, including the use of standard research methods.
- Demonstrable ability to produce excellent written reports and verbal communication skills, and ability to communicate research findings concisely and effectively
- Ability to analyse and research complex ideas, concepts or theories, and to apply appropriate methodologies for analysis of evidence
- Experience in conducting literature reviews and prepare concise summaries
- Ability to produce top quality PowerPoint slides
- Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team
- Ability to manage time effectively and work to strict deadlines
- Experience of conducting high quality academic research
- Experience of preparing academic papers
- Ability to set up and manage a project website
- Ability to manage a budget for a project of this size, to maintain necessary records and to keep track of reporting requirements
Desirable Criteria:
- A Master's degree or PhD (or be close to submission) in Philosophy of Science or in a social science area related to policy analysis or in methodology, including methods for causal inference
