Post Doctoral Researcher (Ref: 650)

Transcription

1 VACANCY PARTICULARS Post Doctoral Researcher (Ref: 650) Hours per week: Full time, 35 hours per week Contract type: Fixed term for two years Grade: IDS grade range 7 Salary: Initial appointment will be between 34,137-45,121 Closing date: Monday 26th January 2015, 10am UK time Who We Are The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is a leading global institution for development research, teaching and learning, and impact and communications, based at the University of Sussex. Our Vision Our vision is a world in which poverty does not exist, social justice prevails and sustainable economic growth is focused on improving human wellbeing. We believe that research knowledge can drive the change that must happen in order for this vision to be realised. What We Do Founded in 1966, IDS enjoys an international reputation based on the quality of our work and our commitment to applying academic skills to real-world challenges. Our theory of change is at the heart of what we do. We think that knowledge should be generated by sound methodology and in partnership with other development and nondevelopment actors. The Institute is home to over 120 staff working in research and teaching, 70 in knowledge services, communications and the library and about 200 students at any one time. But the IDS community extends far beyond this, encompassing an extensive network of over 360 global partners, 2,100 alumni and hundreds of former staff across the development community worldwide. The Institute is currently refreshing its vision, structures and strategy to meet the challenges of a rapidly-changing world. Directions of change include: Strengthening the engaged excellence of our work, including fuller integration of cutting-edge approaches to impact and communications throughout the Institute s research and knowledge activities and deepened collaboration with the University of Sussex; Building a more global vision of development studies, with associated shifts of emphasis in content and approaches to international partnerships and alliances; Combining thematically-focused work in research and knowledge clusters with Institute-wide progress towards a set of major strategic goals, provisionally around reducing inequalities, accelerating environmental sustainability, building inclusive and secure societies, and harnessing digital opportunities for social justice.

2 Cluster Information The successful candidate will be associated with both the Resource Politics cluster and the Health and Nutrition one. The postdoctoral fellowship will thus create a new portfolio at the intersection between water, agriculture and nutrition looking at the impact of innovation and uncertainties around policy processes and regulation. Reporting to Prof Lyla Mehta and Dr Inka Barnett Job Description The IDS plans to appoint a post doctoral Researcher to work on two projects: Climate Change, Uncertainty and Transformation and GSMA m-nutrition evaluation. The Climate Change, Uncertainty and Transformation project looks at discourses and practices of climate change uncertainty and transformation from below and from above and how they interact in diverse settings in India; and seeks to develop approaches to bridge the different perspectives of uncertainty from above and below in order to foster more productive and socially just ways of dealing with uncertainties and social transformation. These issues will be examined as they are framed globally and nationally and across different sites in India: a megacity (Mumbai), dryland Kutch and the Sunderbans. The localities offer ecological contrasts, rural-urban/peri urban emphasis and allow us to examine a range of climate change/ uncertainty dynamics. The postdoctoral fellow will work on (1) conceptual development of the project; (2) undertake fieldwork in India across the sites and (3) also help with coordinating activities amongst the partners. S/he is also expected to produce at least two research articles. The GSMA m-nutrition project will assess the use of mobile phone innovations for nutrition and agriculture related behaviour change in Ghana, Tanzania and Bangladesh. mnutrition aims to build sustainable business models for the delivery of mobile phone technology based advisory services through a business and science partnerships. The programme is primarily designed to use mobile phone based technologies to increase the access of rural communities to nutrition and agriculture related information. The initiative aims to improve knowledge among rural farming communities especially women and support beneficial behaviour change as well as increasing demand for nutrition and agriculture extension services. The post-doctoral will work on the qualitative evaluation strand that is led by IDS. S/he will work on (1) reviews of the current evidence base on the use of mobile phone technology for advisory services in the three case study countries; (2) contribute to the development of the underlying Theory of Change (ToC) for the evaluation (2) the development of field tools for the qualitative data collection as part of this evaluation; (3) conduct field work together with the partners in at least one case study country; (4) contribute and in parts lead the qualitative data analysis. As part of this work s/he will take a lead role in the research papers that will be written as part of this evaluation. The post doctoral Researcher will also contribute to the development of new research projects for both the Resource Politics cluster and the Health and Nutrition cluster as appropriate. The post-doctoral Researcher will be a member of the Resource Politics cluster and the Health and Nutrition cluster and will have opportunities to participate in the activities of the wider clusters as well as in activities on the intersection between the clusters. S/he will also work on the production of high quality publications.

3 The post doctoral Researcher will have opportunities to develop and seek funding for other research studies and to contribute to post-graduate teaching and the production of on-line teaching material. Throughout the research programme, the applicant will be responsible to Lyla Mehta and Inka Barnett who will act in the capacity of mentors. The mentors will provide support and guidance and help to ensure that the Post Doctoral Researcher s work is meeting the required standard. The Post Doctoral Researcher position is a two year fixed term position which is fully funded in the first year and 75% funded in year two by which time individuals will be expected to start to diversify their funding and pursue funding opportunities. With support and training the aim is for the post doctoral Researcher to develop their own portfolio of work. It is anticipated that for the right candidate this role will eventually lead to a Fellowship position at IDS, subject to meeting the required standards as assessed by the Fellow Review and Promotion Board. Person Specification Skills and experience Requirement Essential Desirable Assessment Qualifications PhD in relevant discipline; Demonstrate appropriate record of academic outputs Application, documentary evidence Knowledge Broad, varied and in-depth knowledge of the theoretical and practical literature on (1) qualitative research methods and some basic understanding of impact evaluations; (2) Resource politics and water; climate change and uncertainty; Knowledge of Hindi Application Written submissions Fluency in spoken and written English

4 Skills Excellent analytical, research methods (qualitative) and writing skills, demonstrated by a record of projects, publications and reports Ability to translate academic knowledge into policy and practicerelevant outputs Strong interpersonal skills, including: Ability to work with researchers from a variety of backgrounds and in a variety of contexts, including overseas Ability to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary and mixed skill teams (e.g. researchers and practitioners); Skills in negotiation, problem-solving and decision-making Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to manage a complex workload Experience Substantial work, research and/or programme experience on developing countries or relevant roles Experience of production of research outputs, demonstrated by appropriate record of working papers and reports. Experience of designing and conducting a research study including secondary and primary research Experience of conducting fieldwork in isolated conditions Experience of literature review and working with grey literature Experience of data management and analysis (especially qualitative and policy analysis) Production of teaching materials for post-graduate students Use of ICTs for dissemination of research methods and findings Spoken and written communication abilities for a range of audiences Languages (spoken and read beyond English) Experience in the development of research proposals Experience of teaching at university level and development of teaching materials Experience of turning research findings into policy-relevant outputs (eg policy briefings; effective communication or dissemination events or products) Experience of fieldwork in India Application Interview Written submissions Application Written submissions Information to Candidates Benefits At IDS we offer a number of additional benefits to staff. These include: a competitive salary, including cost of living awards and incremental increases on an annual basis as per policy and the option to join our pension scheme. Please see for more details interest free travel loans, following successful completion of a probationary period support in attainment of a relevant professional qualification in line with the Professional Development Policy childcare voucher scheme and childcare fund competitive maternity and paternity policies that offer compensation above the statutory minimum

5 24 days annual leave per year (pro-rata for part-time), plus public holidays and up to 6 nonnegotiable closure days enhanced sickness pay entitlements support with relocation costs for staff joining us from outside the EU eligibility to use the University of Sussex gym and sporting facilities at staff rates Location The successful candidate will be based at the Institute of Development Studies on the University of Sussex campus. The University of Sussex is located 10 minutes away from the lively and cosmopolitan seaside city of Brighton on the UK South Coast, 60 minutes away from central London, 30 minutes away from London Gatwick Airport and is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Sussex South Downs. Situated between the sea and the South Downs, Brighton is one of the most vibrant and unique cities on the South Coast, for more information please go to How to apply Applications on official form only (CVs are not accepted): Human Resources Institute of Development Studies Brighton BN1 9RE, UK Alternatively please your application to hr@ids.ac.uk please insert the job title and reference number into the subject line of the . We would recommend that electronic applications are sent 24 hours in advance of the deadline, to ensure there are no technical difficulties. Owing to the large number of enquiries received and consequential processing/postage costs, regretfully, it is not possible to enter into further correspondence with all applicants. Therefore, if you do not receive any communications by the interview date, please assume that, on this occasion, your application has not been successful.

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