Research Associate - Administrative Fairness Lab

Department

York Law School is home to a vibrant socio-legal research community, including researchers based in the Administrative Fairness Lab – an interdisciplinary research group dedicated to advancing understanding of administrative justice. This post is based in the Law School and supports a major Wellcome Trust-funded research programme led by The Dickson Poon School of Law at King’s College London, with York Law School, the School for Business and Society (University of York), and Hull York Medical School. The programme investigates ‘bureaucratic justice’ in NHS primary mental health care in England, exploring how administrative processes such as digital systems and referral pathways shape people’s ability to access and engage with care.

Role

Working under the supervision of senior colleagues, you will lead the delivery of a longitudinal qualitative project, recruiting a diverse group of over 100 participants across Yorkshire and the Humber and conducting in-person interviews at multiple time points over three years. You will analyse large narrative datasets, write up findings for high-profile journals, and disseminate through conferences and public engagement. The role includes contributing to research proposals and funding applications, building collaborative networks across the partner institutions, and taking part in the research culture, citizenship and teaching of York Law School in your area of expertise.

This role is fixed term until 31 August 2029.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications needed

• A PhD in law, socio-legal studies or a related social science discipline (or equivalent experience), with an undergraduate degree in law or a cognate social science, and postgraduate training in qualitative research methods

• Knowledge of administrative or bureaucratic justice and of the social, legal or administrative dimensions of primary mental health care for adults in England, including inequalities and systemic barriers to accessing services

• A demonstrable track record of research outputs, especially publications, relevant to the social, legal or administrative aspects of primary mental health care

• Experience of organising, managing and conducting fieldwork for complex qualitative projects – including recruitment, interviews and analysis of large datasets using NVivo or equivalent – and of research with participants with lived experience of mental health difficulties

• The ability to handle sensitive data, work with gatekeepers, and manage NHS ethics, research governance and data protection processes

• Highly developed written and oral communication skills, a collaborative ethos, and the flexibility to work across different locations in the Yorkshire and Humber region

Interview date: to be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Dr Jed Meers, Senior Lecturer in Law, York Law School, on jed.meers@york.ac.uk.

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.

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview. Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.

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