UNESCO Research Associate

Based at University of York campus (with some remote working options available)

Role Description

The Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR) at the University of York (UK), is an activist Centre that has hosted a Protective Fellowship Scheme for Human Rights Defenders at risk and related research projects for nearly two decades. The UNESCO Chair in the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Expansion of Political Space is based at the Centre. The goal of the Chair, and its network of university and civil society partners, is to enhance the role of universities in activism and protection. Professor Paul Gready, the Chair, is looking for a full-time Research Associate to contribute to its research agenda.

Funded by the Open Society Foundation (OSF), the post will be based at CAHR and will work closely with Professor Paul Gready and Pippa Cooper, the UNESCO HRD Hub Coordinator. This is a full-time position with a salary of £37,694. The position is available from 1 January 2026 for a maximum of 12 months.

Role

The UNESCO Chair is seeking to recruit a strong, independent researcher to conductresearch with partners on pressing concerns currently facing human rights defenders and civil society. These could include the need to reimagine protection in the light of resource and visa restrictions; mechanisms to support the growing number of activists in exile; intersections between academic freedom and civic space; and policies and practices shaping student activism in the aftermath of the Gaza protests. Applicants are encouraged to also suggest their own topic for research. More concretely, the researcher will conduct research under the supervision of senior colleagues and in collaborations with partners; produce working papers for the UNESCO Chair; assist in the identification and development of potential areas of research and the development of proposals, and strengthen research collaborations within and external to the university.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications needed

• PhD in human rights or a related field, or equivalent research experience
• Knowledge of a range of research techniques and methodologies
• Knowledge of relevant collaborators and networks
• Ability to write up research work for publication in working papers and journals, and engage in public dissemination
• Ability to develop research objectives, projects and proposals for your own and joint research, with the assistance of a mentor if required
• Experience of carrying out both independent and collaborative research

Interview date: to be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Paul Gready on paul.gready@york.ac.uk

Condition of employment

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Consequently, all applicants will be asked to declare both unspent and spent convictions on their application form.

Appointment of the successful candidate will be conditional on a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork