Post Doctoral Research Associate CPWO

Weekly Working Hours:  37

Contract Type:  Fixed Term Contract

Fixed Term Contract: End Date:  3 years from start date

Welsh Language:  Not Applicable

About the Role

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to work in the Centre for Protecting Women Online funded by Research England. The successful candidate will work closely with Professor Olga Jurasz, Professor of Law and Director of the Centre, as well as the Law & Policy Stream team. We are looking for a dynamic PDRA who would seek to play an active part in building the research culture in the Centre and who is committed to collaborative research. They will use their research knowledge, skills and grant bidding experience to provide support for research activities, knowledge exchange and bidding. As well as facilitating the bids of others, they will have an opportunity to collaborate with researchers in the centre to initiate, shape and develop funding applications which develop their own research. A successful candidate would also contribute to Centre’s publications and knowledge exchange activities. Relevant training and professional development opportunities will be made available. 

Project Description

The Centre for Protecting Women Online is a research unit dedicated to understanding and addressing challenges posed to women’s safety online through a novel, interdisciplinary and ambitious research agenda. This is combined with cross-sectoral, collaborative outputs and interventions which inform law, policy, technology development and practice to reduce online harms suffered by women and girls; minimise anti-social behaviours online whilst promoting pro-social behaviours and help build tech/ software that helps ensure accountability, credibility and helps facilitate justice. The work of the Centre is delivered through five interwoven work streams. Please visit our  Centre website and LinkedIn page for further details. 

Key Responsibilities

The person appointed will be expected to contribute to the research, knowledge exchange and administration. The main responsibilities of the role include:

• Play an active part in building and supporting the Centre’s research culture.
• Initiate and contribute to innovative funding bids in collaboration with other researchers.
• Support the development and submission of funding bids in the Centre including working on systematic literature reviews, data and impact plans, networking with non-academic stakeholders and partners, working with internal research staff and scoping of potential funding sources.
• Assist with producing research outputs, including presentation and publication.
• Contribute to and support delivery of knowledge exchange and impact activities. 
• Contribute and support current research related activities and projects in the Centre.
• Contribute to the delivery of the University’s research and knowledge exchange strategy.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the University’s local, national and international academic and community networks related to Centre-related research.
• Work closely with key members of the Centre to support and enhance the postgraduate research culture.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• A PhD in Law or related field (or evidence of close completion) 
• Expertise in legal research methods
• Knowledge and familiarity with critical and feminist approaches to gendered violence
• Knowledge and familiarity with research on online environments, in particular social media
• Experience of writing or communicating research ideas to non-specialist audiences.
• An existing track record of publications in a relevant area (commensurate with career stage)
• Excellent data management skills.
• Excellent IT skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to plan and organise own work.
• Ability to adapt to changing situations in a timely manner within scope and direction set by the work stream lead.
• A commitment to, and understanding of, equal opportunities.
• A commitment to own personal development.

Desirable

• Experience of grant bidding to external funders
• Experience of working and interacting with external organisations, particularly from culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Experience of working in cross-disciplinary research teams. 
• Experience of PhD supervision. 
• Experience of carrying out empirical research. 

Essential Requirements

As part of the application process, you will be expected to submit your CV and a Supporting Statement (maximum of 1000 words) that demonstrates how you meet the criteria listed above. 

Flexible working 

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what may work for you and the role.

Early closing date notification 

We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. We anticipate this being 1 to 2 days per week

 Contact us

If you have any queries or questions about the recruitment process, or regarding your application, please contact: Careers@open.ac.uk.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential.  We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.  We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.