Research Fellow (Jubilee Centre) - Education and Social Justice

Position Details X 5

School of Education

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK 

Grade 7 - Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,942 to £40,322. With potential progression once in post to £42,792 a year 

Grade 8 - Full time starting salary is normally in the range £41,526 to £49,553. With potential progression once in post to £55,750 a year

Grade 7/Grade 8 

Full time

Fixed term contract for 24 months with potential extension 

Closing Date: 23rd January 2020

Interviews will take place between 10th and 13th February 2020

Job Background 

Fixed-term 24 month appointments (in the first instance, with potential to extend), with a start date anywhere between April 1, 2020 and September 1, 2020. The aim of these five Research Fellow posts is to create and disseminate knowledge by initiating and conducting original research, disseminated through publications of reports and articles, and carrying out developmental work, as appropriate to the disciplinary areas.

The Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues is a leading international interdisciplinary research centre, the biggest of its kind in the world, dedicated to research into, and developmental work in the areas, of character and virtues, in schools, professions and society at large. Autumn 2020 will see the outset of its fourth phase of work, entitled Celebration Britain, where previous research will be synthesised and new projects initiated.

The Centre is looking to recruit five Research Fellows with a background in Education, Psychology, Philosophy, Political Science, or other related fields. The post-holders will be working in 4 different areas of research: character education theory and pedagogies (2 posts), preparing professionals for practice (1 post), cultivating cyber-phronesis (1 post), and cultivating civic virtues through service to others (1 post). Applicants are requested to indicate which of those areas (one or more) they would be interested in working within.

The post-holders will be expected to be proactive in completing research duties and to prioritise their own work schedule to accommodate the overall priorities of project teams and the needs of the Centre as a whole. It is expected that post-holders will use their own initiative and good sense to solve problems as they arise, but should report to the two Deputy Directors and Director for advice and guidance as necessary.

The posts would suit applicants who are keen to develop careers as researchers in a practice-oriented environment. It is expected that post-holders would primarily work on campus, but should be able to travel, nationally and internationally.

It is vital that post-holders have a strong commitment to the vision, aims and goals of the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, www.jubileecentre.ac.uk 

Job Role

(Grade 7)

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Operate within area of specialism, but also contribute to the wider work and ethos of the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results and present them in articles, conference presentations and the key research report
• Proactively seek to ensure that the Jubilee Centre’s research addresses and responds to relevant issues in the field of character and virtues
• Contribute to the development of innovative approaches to enhance the empirical and applied research in the Jubilee Centre; to include working closely with external stakeholders to disseminate findings and ensure the enduring impact of the Centre’s research
• 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

(Grade 8)

• Initiate and conduct original research which has measurable outcomes and is reflected in a growing national and often incipient international reputation
• Plan, design and co-ordinate research activities and programmes across the Centre’s portfolio of work
• Contribute to the development of research strategies
• To lead on ensuring that the Jubilee Centre’s research addresses and responds to relevant issues in the field of character and virtues
• To lead on the development of innovative approaches to enhance the empirical and applied research in the Jubilee Centre; to include working closely with external stakeholders to disseminate findings and ensure the enduring impact of the Centre’s research
• Publish results of own research and present them in articles, conference presentations and the key research report
• Supervise PhD students
• Contribute to the Department/School/Centre through management/leadership
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities, widening participation, schools outreach or similar activities at Department/School/Centre level or further within the University 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

(Grade 7)

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for specified Jubilee Centre research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding; to apply existing Jubilee Centre research to the development of practical tools and interventions for the cultivation of character in different aspects of public and professional life
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research and practitioner 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/Centre 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 supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of 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*
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

* These indicative responsibilities may also be included in a research role at grade 6.

(Grade 8)

To plan and carry out research, using appropriate methodology and techniques. This may include, where appropriate to the discipline:

• Pursue research including developing research ideas and winning support, including financial support
• Plan, publish and/or execute high quality practice-related research
• Project manage research activities, and/or supervise other research staff
• Present findings in high quality publications and conference proceedings
• Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued; to apply existing Jubilee Centre research to the development of practical tools and interventions for the development of character in different aspects of public and professional life
• Supervise and examine PhD students, both within and out with the University
• Provide expert advice to colleagues and students within discipline
• Contribute to the administration/management of research across the Department/School/Centre
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University
• Contribute to some administrative activities within the University, typically relating to research
• Apply knowledge in a way that develops new intellectual understanding *
• Actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour

* This indicative responsibility may also be included in a research role at a lower grade.

Person Specification

(Grade 7)

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• Knowledge and understanding of, and an interest in, research into character, virtues, human flourishing
• Demonstrates a commitment to the principles of character education and a familiarity with the Jubilee Centre’s research and character education programmes
• 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
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to plan, organise, develop, and lead the implementation of large-scale research projects
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work as part of a team and the proven ability to achieve positive outcomes
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Co-ordinate 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

(Grade 8)

• Normally, a higher degree relevant to the research area (normally PhD) or equivalent qualifications
• Significant knowledge and understanding of research into character, virtues, human flourishing
• Demonstrates a commitment to the principles of character education and a familiarity with the Jubilee Centre’s research and character education programmes
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work as part of a team and the proven ability to lead others to achieve positive outcomes
• Extensive research experience and scholarship within subject specialism
• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing large-scale research projects to deliver high quality results
• Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods
• Extensive experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action

For informal inquiries please contact Danielle Edwards (0121 414 4439) d.l.edwards.1@bham.ac.uk

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity at The University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community’
 
Primary Location GB-GB-Birmingham
Job Academic Non-clinical
Organization Education
Schedule Regular
 Full-time
Job Posting 16.12.2019, 12:00:00 AM
Grade (for job description) Grade 7
Salary (Pay Basis) 30,942.00
Maximum Salary 42,792.00