Research Associate (Based in Dumfries)

Location : Dumfries

Job Purpose

The School of Social and Environmental Sustainability is recruiting one postdoctoral research associate to make a leading contribution to the JUST TOUR project (Tourism (In)justice: rendering a spatial justice framework for tourism), under the supervision of the PI Dr Anna de Jong. Applicants from a broad range of backgrounds are invited to apply, including, for example, critical tourism studies, leisure studies, sociology, and geography.

The post-holder will be expected to make a major contribution to the project and take on a central role in the project team (along with the research collaborators Professor Cristina Figueroa Domecq, Rey Juan Carlos University; Associate Professor Annelie Sjölander Lindqvist, University of Gothenburg; Associate Professor Steve Taylor, University of the Highlands and Islands), although candidates will have the opportunity to undertake other activities that are beneficial in terms of career development.

The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research outputs and engagement activities, as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

The JUST TOUR project was selected for funding by the European Research Council (ERC) and is funded by United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables; specifically, in regards to questionnaire design and implementation, and carrying out semi-structured qualitative interviews with residents located in the three case study sites (Skye, UK; Tenerife, Spain; Gotland, Sweden).

2. Make a substantive contribution to project group meetings and workshops, and to engage in the organisation of these events.

3. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting progress reports and outputs as appropriate.

4. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation, including establishing and sustaining a track record of publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

5. Survey the research literature and understand the research challenges associated with the subject area.

6. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, and through policy reports, policy briefs, the Spatial Justice

podcast, Spatial Justice Network, the project’s social media channels and so on, to disseminate project findings and engage stakeholders.

7. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with the project team and through the Spatial Justice Network.

8. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the JUST TOUR project, including Budgets/Expenditure.

9. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory and the needs to the JUST TOUR project.

10. Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.

11. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the PI.

12. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, Inspiring People Changing The World.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s)

A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the field of tourism studies and/or tourism management

A3 Knowledge of critical and theoretical approaches utilised within critical tourism studies, leisure studies and/or tourism geography

Desirable:

B1 Knowledge of key approaches and debates within the areas of feminist geography and/or political economy

B2 Knowledge of Swedish and/or Spanish

Skills:

Essential:

C1 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

C2 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences

C3 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, data analysis and drafting of papers

C4 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.

C5 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage, with a particular focus on supporting the two PhD students who will form part of the JUST TOUR project team

C6 Willingness to undertake domestic and international travel in order to carry out fieldwork and research activities

Experience:

Essential:

E1 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, appropriate to an early career researcher

E2 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences

E3 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities and collaborating with other researchers in order to achieve contributions

Desirable:

F1 Experience implementing mixed methods research (specifically, questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and/or life chart interviews)

F2 Experience in undertaking Foucauldian discourse analysis

Informal enquiries about the role are welcomed, and should be addressed to Dr Anna de Jong, [email protected]

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £39,347 - £44,263 per annum.

This post is full time and fixed term for up to 48 months.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.