Post Doctoral Research Associate (Grade 7)

Job Title:     Postdoctoral Research Associate in Leadership/Organisational Psychology with a focus on Leadership Identity    
Department:   Durham University Business School, Department of Management and Marketing      
Grade: Grade 7    
Working arrangements: 35 hours per week – hybrid working possible  
Potential interview date:  w/c 26 June 2023  

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.  
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here  

The Role and Department

The Faculty

Durham University Business School Dynamic and vibrant, Durham University Business School is one of Durham University’s four Faculties and is comprised of three research-intensive departments: Accounting, Economics and Finance, and Management and Marketing. Known for its global reputation, its impact on policy and practice and its strong focus on ethics, responsibility and sustainability, the School aims to be a leading European business school with a strong global presence by 2027, The School currently has 180 academic and teaching staff, with plans and resource commitments to grow to 230 by 2027. In addition, 11 funded research centres (https://www.dur.ac.uk/business/research/research-centres/ ) blend leading theoretical perspectives with a strong emphasis on impact and engagement with practice, noted in www.durham.ac.uk/business    The school’s student population is around 4000, across undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes. Our vision is to lead business thought and practice to improve global wealth and well-being. Our associated mission is to create, share and use knowledge to deliver equitable and sustainable futures around the world. We pursue this mission by advancing world changing knowledge and securing global impact through increasingly collaborative research across disciplines and around the world.  

The Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) will work as part of an international team of researchers in the research project “Leadership Identity Dynamics in Work and Beyond: Conceptualization, Measurement, and Intervention“ funded by the US Army Research Institute. Durham University

The PDRA will work with the research team to deliver the objectives of this specific research project. The successful candidate will be expected to take on a wide range of tasks in relation to this research project. They will be expected to manage study design and data collection; conduct statistical analyses; and participate in writing technical reports to meet the needs of the funder. The successful candidate will also contribute to writing journal submissions together with the research team.

The PDRA will have a flexible approach to work. Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritise and successfully manage tasks and activities to tight deadlines are pre-requisites for the role. Interfacing with researchers globally and collaboration in relation to research activity and processes within the Centre for Leadership and Followership at Durham University Business School is also a critical job element.

The post holder will work with and report formally to Professor Susanne Braun and Professor Olga Epitropaki, Principal Investigators of the research project.

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
• To contribute to the review and synthesis of the literature in the areas of leadership and identity with a focus on identity threat and impostorism.
• To work on the design and implementation, data analysis and reporting of longitudinal as well as experimental studies (with Qualtrics, SPSS, Mplus and similar software).
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To contribute to high quality outputs based on the research project, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences (e.g., Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management) under the direction of the Principal Investigator and the research team.
• To assist with the development of ideas and research designs for subsequent research grant proposals. 
• To plan and manage own research activity within the project, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning and implementation of studies. 
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigators and the research team, and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues especially at the Centre for Leadership and Followership, and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To be involved in student supervision (e.g., PHD students who contribute to the research project), as appropriate
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.

This post is fixed term for 24 months because the funding is available for this fixed term period only

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Working at Durham 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 

•    30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.  
•    The University closes between Christmas and New Year – please include or delete if not applicable. 
•    We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled  into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
•    There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. 
•    Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
•    On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
•    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
•    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
•    Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. 
•    A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. 
•    If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

Contact Information 

Department contact for academic-related enquiries 

Professor Susanne Braun – [email protected]

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application 

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email.  Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to [email protected]  

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time.  We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).  

University contact for general queries about the recruitment process 

 [email protected]  

How to Apply  

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.  

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What to Submit 

All applicants are asked to submit: 

• a CV and cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.
• Any other additional documents the department feel would support the shortlisting process 

Next Steps 

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department.  The assessment for the post will normally include a presentation to staff and students in the Department followed by an interview and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over two days

In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date. 

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.   

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications

• An excellent first degree in business, psychology, or a related subject.
• A PhD (or be close to submission) in the areas of leadership, industrial/organisational psychology or a related area, ideally with a focus on leadership identity.

Experience

• Experience in conducting high-quality academic research; especially in designing and conducting longitudinal studies, studies with experience sampling designs, and experiments (laboratory and online).
• Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals, with a particular focus on top-quality journals in management and organisational psychology
• Demonstrable ability to present research papers at international conferences, especially meetings of the Academy of Management (AOM) and the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.
  
• Experience in managing multiple deadlines and complex research tasks to successful completion.

Skills

•         Advanced data management and programming skills using Qualtrics, eprime, and similar software tools.
•         Advanced data analysis skills, especially skills required for the analysis oflongitudinal/cross-lagged data and multilevel data, using Mplus, the lavaan package in R, and similar software tools.
•         Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings. Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
•         Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
•         Excellent written and oral communication skills, and experience preparing manuscript for publication, including detailed knowledge of APA publication guidelines.
•         Accuracy, attention to detail, and excellent time management and self-management skills.

Desirable Criteria:

Experience

•       Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals of the highest international standing, with a particular focus on top-quality journals in leadership and organisational psychology, commensurate with stage of career.
•       A track record of presenting research at international conferences, especially meetings of the Academy of Management (AOM) and the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.
•       Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.
•       Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment

Skills

• Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.