Research Associate

The Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (Modern Slavery PEC), part of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL, which is the formal employer for this role), is looking to recruit a Research Associate to work closely with the Director of Research, the wider team and our funded project teams. The Research Associate will support the strategic development and delivery of the Centre’s research programme, offering an exciting opportunity for a motivated researcher to join a growing team and make a significant contribution to the development of impactful modern slavery research.

They will join a dynamic team and have the opportunity to get involved in a range of projects and work with stakeholders to ensure the best possible impact from the research we fund and co-develop. They will work with the Director of Research to co-author high quality academic and policy-facing outputs that draw on the growing body of evidence in the field and the new research funded by the Modern Slavery PEC.

Background

• The Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre was created by the investment of public funding to enhance understanding of modern slavery and transform the effectiveness of law and policies designed to address it. Commissioning high quality research is at the heart of the Centre’s work and, and we aim to bring together academics, policymakers, businesses, civil society, survivors and the public on a scale not seen before in the UK to collaborate on solving this global challenge.
• The Centre is a consortium of six academic organisations led by the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law (part of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL)) and is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) on behalf of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Read more about the Modern Slavery PEC on our website at www.modernslaverypec.org.

• The Modern Slavery PEC has hybrid working arrangements for its staff which involves a flexible mixture of remote and on-site work. We would normally expect the successful candidate to come to the office – located in Russell Square, London – for a minimum of two days per week – and we would expect there to be additional travel where necessary to support the aims of the role and the Modern Slavery PEC. We can however be flexible for the successful candidate where necessary, and any flexible requirements won’t impact on the selection process.
• This full-time role is open as a secondment opportunity.

The main responsibilities of the role are:

• To work closely with the Modern Slavery PEC’s Director of Research and contribute to the strategic development of the Modern Slavery PEC’s research programme
• To support and participate in the management of the Modern Slavery PEC’s research portfolio in collaboration with funded project teams
• To develop insights and analysis across different portfolios of funded projects
• To liaise with the Modern Slavery PEC’s policy impact team as part of the identification of new areas for research
• To co-develop and author research protocols and outputs for a range of audiences, including via peer-reviewed publications
• To contribute to external communications and other engagement activities
• To contribute to the development of research funding calls

About you                                                    

The successful candidate will have a range of technical and interpersonal skills, drawing upon their experience of research in a related area or discipline. You will have an excellent understanding of research that relates to modern slavery, a background in policy studies or any relevant social science, arts and humanities discipline, and have expertise in research methodologies relevant to the modern slavery sector. You will have a track record of authoring research protocols and outputs for a range of audiences and understand the research funding landscape in the UK to offer input into the development of research calls and the selection and management of funded projects.

Above all, you will be comfortable working with a diverse range of people, exercising tact, discretion and care across all your working relationships, including with people with lived experience of modern slavery.

The Modern Slavery PEC is committed to being inclusive and diverse, and particularly encourages applications from women, people with disabilities, Black, Asian, and minority ethnic applicants, LGBT+ applicants and other minorities, as well as those who have been directly affected by modern slavery. The Centre is committed to being a values-based organisation and, in the spirit of our values, we commit to proactively challenge bias and offer a fair and equitable recruitment process for all applicants.