Postdoctoral Research Associate - Culture and Languages

Post Type: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed Term - Ends 01/07/2024

Interview Date: Tuesday 23 May 2023

The School of Cultures and Languages at the University of Kent invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to work on an interdisciplinary project funded by an AHRC-funded Research, Engagement fellowship (2023-2025). The project explores adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) and young parenthood in Mexico, Cuba and Colombia.

You will be collaborating with the PI, Dr Rebecca Ogden and will carry out a systematic review of policy and curriculum documents, grey literature, initiatives, campaigns and social media strategies relating to ASRH and young parenthood in the project’s three contexts, to result in a digital database and analysis of existing interventions by health and education sectors and NGOs. 

Candidates are invited from across social sciences and the humanities. 

As Postdoctoral Research Associate you will: 

• collaborate on various outputs including research articles, blog posts, methodological toolkit and a briefing report
• work together to develop and run creative workshops with project partners in Mexico and Cuba. 
• manage your own academic research and administrative activities and represent the group at external meetings and seminars
• guide the methodology of your contribution to the project, according to your background and expertise

What skills and experience are we looking for?

• hold or be close to completion of a relevant PhD/DPhil, together with relevant experience and possess specialist knowledge relating to one or more of the following: adolescence, education, policy, sexual/ reproductive health and parenthood studies.
• possess sufficient knowledge of methodology and analysis of data, particularly policy review and/ or ethnographic approaches, interviews, and participant observation. 
• have strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with a range of stakeholders (policymakers, community leaders, young people, service users, NGOs), as well as Latin American scholars already associated with the project. 
• fluency in written and spoken Spanish 
• prior experience of working with or carrying out research alongside young people and/ or policymakers; and/ or experience of working with health providers, community groups or NGOs in Latin America would be a significant advantage

The post requires travel to Cuba, Mexico and Colombia for fieldwork and networking purposes. 

The Division of Arts and Humanities is a thriving academic community with a strong tradition of interdisciplinarity. Our work spans architecture, the creative arts and design, languages and linguistics, history and archaeology, literature, music, philosophy and religion.

The University of Kent is a distinctive and attractive place to work. We employ around 6,000 staff, including academic and research staff and a full range of support and administration staff. Our stunning main campus in Canterbury, Kent was founded in 1965 and is set among green and tranquil open space overlooking the spectacular Cathedral. Our staff enjoy competitive salaries, an occupational pension scheme, generous holiday entitlements and a great working environment.

Please see the links below to view the full job description and also to apply for this post. If you require further information regarding the application process please contact the Resourcing Team at jobs@kent.ac.uk quoting ref number: AHUM-249-23.

Further details:   

Please note that we prioritise applications from current University of Kent redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.

Applications must be made via the University’s online application system.

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