Research Assistant : Neil Davidson Writing Fellowship

Job Purpose

This postdoctoral writing fellowship has been established in recognition of Neil Davidson’s enduring work as historian, theorist, teacher and activist. The fellowship is intended to support early career researchers whose work is informed by, and seeks to extend, progressive and radical traditions of critical investigation broadly conceived, whether through the development of new historical or theoretical scholarship or through the pursuit of original empirical research.

The Fellowship will allow the recipient the time and space to publish material deriving from their doctoral thesis and to make the findings and conclusions of their work available to a wider audience, academic and/or non-academic. Priority will be given to supporting those who do not, currently, hold an open-ended academic position. We welcome applications from candidates regardless of where they are currently based but would draw attention to the fact that, regretfully, relocation expenses are not covered because of the short-duration of this post.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities with the support of an academic mentor:

1. Complete a programme of writing as outlined in your application, including submission for publication to refereed journals and/or the development of a monograph for publication with a reputable academic press.

2. Present your work, as appropriate, to international or national conferences, colloquia and workshops.

3. Make the findings of your research available to relevant external audiences and, as appropriate, engage with organizations and communities outside of the university in relation to your research findings.

4. Maintain Neil Davidson’s Academia.Edu site, updating as relevant with new publications, and responding to queries and communication.

5. Deliver a seminar as part of the Socialist Theory and Movements Research Network’s annual series.

6. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/ group/ meetings/ seminars/workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community.

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 SCQF Level 10 [an undergraduate, Honours level degree] in a relevant discipline.

A2 A completed PhD with a central research focus on one of the following areas: Marxism and Marxist theory; the concept and histories of bourgeois revolutions; the histories and present forms of class struggle; trade unionism, anti-racism and other liberatory social movements; the causes, consequences and theorisation of uneven and combined development, and/or of neoliberalism; radical political economy; Scottish history and politics; nationalism and ethnicity; cultural and aesthetic analyses in the historical materialist tradition. Applicants should be within three years of receiving their PhD. Exceptionally, consideration will be given to those whose PhD was awarded outwith this timeframe if significant personal circumstances have affected the candidate’s capacity to work within that period.

Skills 

Essential:

C1 Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of relevant theoretical, conceptual and historical research

C2 Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience of public presentations and an ability to communicate complex concepts and findings clearly and concisely

C3 A collegial approach to working with others

C4 Effective time management and organisation

C5 Familiarity with IT packages

C6 Self-motivation, and an ability to work independently and at your own initiative

Experience

Essential:

E1 Relevant research experience appropriate to an early career researcher

E2 Experience of presenting research to a range of different audiences, both academic and non-academic

E3 A proven ability to complete work in a timely fashion

E4 Evidence of a well-defined and feasible programme of work for the duration of the Fellowship

Applicants should submit:

i)   an academic c.v.;

ii)  the abstract or summary of their doctoral thesis;

iii) a 2 page outline of a proposed programme of work for the period of the Fellowship. Indicatively, this might include: summaries of 1 or 2 planned journal articles; an accepted book proposal or outline plans for such a proposal; projects for collaboration with social and political movements beyond the academy. It should also include a short statement explaining how their work fits with the purpose of the Fellowship as outlined above.

For informal enquiries about the role, please contact Professor Andrew Smith, [email protected]

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £32,332 - £36,024 per annum.

This post is full time and fixed term for 6 months.

Please Note: If you are a current employee of the University of Glasgow, please be advised that the University would consider an internal secondment opportunity for this post. University of Glasgow applicants should seek clearance for release for internal secondment from their line manager before making a formal application.

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.