The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Job Description

Research Associate

Department: Department of Sociological Studies

Work arrangement: Part-time, 21 hours per week 

Contract type: Fixed-term (until 20th September 2026) / Hybrid / Flexible options considered.

Salary range: £37,999 – £46,485 per annum, with potential to progress to £50,694

through sustained, exceptional contribution

Advertising length: 4 weeks

Overview

Main duties and responsibilities

●       Select and recruit suitable participants and conduct interviews and focus groups with feminist activists and feminist policymakers

●       Transcribe and undertake an initial analysis of interview and focus group data

●       Select and analyse key parliamentary debates and motions at Westminster and the Scottish Parliament

●       Analyse social media data from Facebook and Twitter

●       Assist in the writing of the project blog, newsletters and reports

●       Support project reporting requirements

●       Attend project meetings in the UK and abroad

●       Participate in and co-design impact and public engagement work related to the project

●       Manage data collection and storage on a day-to-day basis.

●       Liaise closely with other academics, advisers and administrators relevant to the study.

●       Read and review literature as appropriate.

●       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 is 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

• Have a good honours degree in a relevant social science discipline  (Application)

• Have a Masters or PhD, or be in the process of working towards a postgraduate degree, in a relevant social science field (Application)

• Experience of and skills in undertaking qualitative interviews, focus groups and data analysis (Application and Interview)

• An understanding and appreciation of feminist and anti-racist epistemologies, methodologies and methods (Application and Interview)

• Experience of feminist and anti-racist activism and a have a good working relationship with different kinds of activist groups in the UK (Application and Interview)

• Proven ability to work and deliver to specified deadlines (Application and Interview)

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including, experience of report writing and delivering verbal presentations (Application and Interview)

Desirable criteria

• Emerging record of publication in peer reviewed social science journals (Application)

Further Information

Grade: 7

Duration: Fixed Term until 30th September 2026

Line manager: Chair in Sociological Studies

Our website: Department of Sociological Studies

For informal enquiries about this job contact Professor Akwugo Emejulu on a.emejulu@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place w/c 10th March. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 3rd March. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact scsoperations@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; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways

• 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.