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Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral research position working in the School of Journalism, Media and Communication with Dr Sara Torsner on the ESRC-funded research project ‘Profiling impunity for human rights violations against journalists: A systematic account of state-based harm and practices of resistance’. Combining qualitative, quantitative and computational social science methods, the project will analyse the political context of the problem of impunity across diverse country settings. The role will entail building a database (or datasets) on human rights violations against journalists to analyse their political context and related impunity. This will involve data collection, database development, and analysis using quantitative and computational methods to explore the relationship between political contexts (e.g., regime type, political stability, legal frameworks) and violations of journalists' rights. The post is offered on a 6-month part-time (0.5 FTE) fixed-term contract from 1 April 2025. This is an excellent opportunity to work as part of a supportive team and a global stakeholder community. The project lead is committed to supporting early career progression with opportunities to present and publish research, a budget and time allocated for professional development and a research study visit abroad.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Data collection and building of database

• Lead on research to develop a database or data sets on human rights violations against journalists and impunity for such violations (such as time-series country, regional or global-level statistical data on different types of human rights violations such as killings, arbitrary detention, physical assaults etc.) over a defined time-period. This will entail collecting and harmonising data from various sources (including existing statistical data sets on violations against journalist) and employing manual and/or computational/automated methods to collate (including coding and categorisation of data) and augment existing data, as well as generate novel data sets when necessary and possible for example by employing text extraction/mining and natural language processing techniques.

2. Data analysis and data management

• Lead on research to identify data sets covering relevant political/governance indicators (e.g., regime type, political stability, democratic backsliding, legal frameworks) for the purpose of analysing how different societal determinants (political conditions) and violations of journalists' rights interrelate. The analysis will require proficiency in programming languages (such as R and Python) and/or statistical packages. Some experience in data visualisation is also desirable. The analysis will inform the project’s subsequent stages of research by serving as an empirical analysis to identify data gaps that need to be addressed to support holistic profiling of impunity for human rights violations against journalists across country contexts. 
• Be responsible for ensuring efficient data management in line with open access and ethical requirements.

3. Publication and public engagement

• Lead on writing and publishing at least one peer-reviewed journal article co-authored with the Project Lead.
• Write up research findings for non-academic audiences (such as in blog posts/policy reports).
• If required, provide support to develop and maintain a project website.

4. Collaboration and stakeholder engagement

• Present research at project and stakeholder meetings, as well as conferences as required.
• Undertake study-visit to a research institution outside the UK to facilitate data collection and analysis.

5. Other

• As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• A PhD, or near completion, in a relevant field (e.g. Data or Computer Science) that demonstrates proficiency in Quantitative and/or Computational Social Science Methods (or equivalent experience). APPLICATION
• Evidence of high-quality research using a range of quantitative and computational methods applicable to the social sciences. APPLICATION/INTERVIEW
• High-quality publications in peer-reviewed English-language journals and/or leading conferences in the field. APPLICATION/INTERVIEW
• Experience of employing a range of quantitative (e.g., regression, panel data, multivariate analysis) and/or computational social science methods, including  programming languages (such as R, Python) and/or statistical packages. APPLICATION/INTERVIEW
• Experience of employing natural language processing techniques (such as entity recogniser, topic modelling, sentiment analysis). APPLICATION/INTERVIEW
• Experience of and/willingness and ability to develop skills to build, manage and analyse statistical data sets/corpora. APPLICATION/INTERVIEW 
• Ability to drive, plan and progress work activities to meet key project deadlines in a consultative and independent manner. APPLICATION/INTERVIEW
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving. APPLICATION/INTERVIEW
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. APPLICATION/INTERVIEW

Desirable criteria

• Experience of automatic extraction and processing of data from sources (e.g., using Application Programming Interface (API)). APPLICATION/INTERVIEW
• Experience of research into human rights and/or threats to press freedom and the safety of journalists.  APPLICATION/INTERVIEW

Further Information

Grade: 7

Duration: 1 April 2025 (earliest start date) - 30 September 2025

Line manager: Project Lead

Direct reports: N/A

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Sara Torsner, Project Lead: on s.torsner@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place early/mid March. This will consist of a presentation followed by an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 3 March. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact g.e.gear@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
 

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.