School: Nursing, Psychotherapy & Community Health
Post Title: Postdoctoral Researcher (Sociology/Social Science/LGBTI Studies or a related health discipline
Level on framework Level 1 on DCU Research Career Framework
Contract Duration: Up to 2 years Fixed term contract
Dublin City University
Dublin City University (DCU) is a young, ambitious and vibrant university, with a mission ‘to transform lives and societies through education, research, innovation and engagement’. Known as Ireland’s ‘University of Enterprise’, DCU is a values-based institution, committed to the delivery of impact for the public good. DCU was named Sunday Times Irish University of the Year 2021.
DCU is based on three academic campuses in the Glasnevin-Drumcondra region of north Dublin. More than 18,000 students are enrolled across five faculties – Science and Health, DCU Business School, Computing and Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences and DCU Institute of Education.
DCU is committed to excellence across all its activities. This is demonstrated by its world-class research initiatives, its cutting-edge approach to teaching and learning, its focus on delivering a transformative student experience, and its positive social and economic impact. The university continues to develop innovative programmes in collaboration with industry, such as the DCU Futures suite of degrees, which are designed to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge required in a rapidly evolving economy.
DCU’s pursuit of excellence has led to its current ranking among the top 2% of universities globally. It is also one of the world’s Top Young Universities (QS Top 100 Under 50, Times Higher Top 150 Under 100). In the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2021, DCU ranked 23rd in the world for its approach to widening participation in higher education and its ongoing commitment to eradicating poverty, while it ranks 38th globally for its work in reducing inequality and 89th globally for gender equality.
The university is ranked 23rd in the world and first in Ireland for its graduate employment rate, according to the 2020 QS Graduate Employability Rankings. Over the past decade, DCU has been the leading Irish university in the area of technology transfer, as reflected by licensing of intellectual property.
Project Background
This is a two-year research project, funded by the Irish Research council. It is an interdisciplinary project that will examine the lived experience of older LGBTI people dwelling in the community, and their support circle of homecare, in Ireland, from lay and professional perspectives.
Dr Mel Duffy is the Principal Investigator (P.I.), Professor Anthony Staines co-P.I. and Dr Eileen Courtney School of Nursing, Psychotherapy & Community Health are the academics working on the projects. This project is underpinned by the Public & Patient Involvement (PPI) principle. The membership of the PPI panel is drawn from the older LGBTI community fulfilling the LGBTI community principle of ‘nothing about us, without us’. All PPI panel members are experts by experience representing different perspectives namely nursing care provision to older individuals, personal experience as a member of the LGBTI community, and experience in providing home care to LGBTI individuals. This will give a holistic and comprehensive understanding of the lived experience of community dwelling older LGBTI people of homecare in Ireland.
Globally, the world’s population is ageing and this trend is set to continue bringing with it multiple challenges. An ageing population is likely to have significant economic and social impact, with the United Nations suggesting that population ageing is one of the most significant megatrends with implications for all societies. In Ireland, the population of older people aged 65 and over increased by 14.4% over the 5 year period 2007-212, to 11.6% of the total population. Ireland’s 2016 Census identified 637,567 persons over the aged of 65 but offered no data as to the LGBTI population. There is no official estimate of the LGBTI community in Ireland however they are currently in the process of including such an item on the next full Census in 2026. The estimation range of the LGBTI population is between 5-7%. Applying this estimated range to the total population of those over 65 year n=637,567, means that the LGBTI population aged 65+ in Ireland ranges between 12,751-44,627 people. Estimating the older LGBTI population is difficult due to the broader issues with identifying the LGBTI population in its entirety, more globally due to a backdrop of “relatively scant” published research about LGBTI lives.
The aim of this project is to:
Principal Duties:
- Reporting to the Principal Investigator the duties of the Postdoctoral Researcher will include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Conduct the specified programme of research under the supervision and direction of the Principal Investigator
- Deliver research outputs and provide input into reports as required according to project management schedules
- Attend and present results as required at project progress meetings
- Assist in identifying and developing future research and funding initiatives
- Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research with the support of and under the supervision of the Principal Investigator
- Engage in appropriate training and development opportunities as required by the Principal Investigator, the Research Centre, or the University.
- Engage in teaching and teaching support as assigned by the Head of School under the direction of the Principal Investigator
- Liaise with both internal and external stakeholders including industry and academic partners/collaborators.
- Carry out administrative work associated with the programme of research as necessary.
Minimum Criteria
- The successful applicant will hold a PhD in, Sociology/Social Science/ LGBTI Studies or a related health discipline
- Experience working in the LGBTI area.
- Ability to work sensitively with a range of stake holders including intersex people, their families and healthcare professionals.
- Strong critical, analytical and professional writing abilities.
- Excellent research and evaluation skills, including experience in both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Desirable Criteria
- Knowledge of older LGBTI people from a social sciences and health perspective at national and international levels.
- Knowledge of the value of activism and advocacy as tools for sociolegal change.
- Ability to identify own training needs.
- Ability to engage in reflective practice.
Ideally, the successful candidate will work full-time. However, applications from candidates who are available to work 4 days per week (80% FTE) will also be considered.