Research Fellows

The School of Natural and Built Environment (NBE) at Queen’s University Belfast, is currently seeking to appoint exceptional candidates as Research Fellows to the EmpowerUs Horizon Europe project. EmpowerUs is a 3-year Horizon Europe marine social science project that will work with coastal communities in 6 living labs to develop social innovations to address persistent coastal issues and enable communities to better benefit from the marine economy. Through the development of community interventions and innovations, the EmpowerUs project will enable coastal communities to act for change and transition towards sustainable, inclusive and resilient coastal developments. The research fellows (one 36-month post and one initial 12-month post, with potential for extension) will be active members of the EmpowerUs research team at QUB, assisting in the collection and analysis of socio-economic data relating to coastal communities. These posts will contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of community interventions and innovations. The post requires a solid background in social science methods, demonstrable experience in conducting environmental/community planning research, and good knowledge of participatory research approaches.

For the 12-month post, we may consider the fellow working part-time over a longer period of time.

Please note that for both roles the successful candidate must have the right to work both in Ireland and the UK.  

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate you have:

• Degree or equivalent in subject relevant to research activity (e.g. geography, sociology, or environmental planning and policy);
• Have or about to obtain a PhD in relevant topic (e.g environmental planning/policy, urban planning, human geography. sociology, community development);
• At least 3 years relevant research experience;
• Experience of using both quantitative and qualitative research methods;
• Demonstrable experience in collecting, analysing and reporting primary social science data;
• At least one, peer-reviewed publication as lead author;
• Capacity to design and test social innovations or interventions;
• Strong track record of research communication and dissemination; and
• Right to work both in UK and Ireland.

Please note the above are not an exhaustive list. For further information about the role including the essential and desirable criteria, click on the ‘Candidate Information’ link below.

Fixed Term 35 months (or available until 30 September 2025) and 11 months (or available until 30 September 2023). Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

At Queen’s our people are at the heart of everything we do. As a staff member you will become part of a vibrant organisational culture, which will provide you with the opportunity to achieve your full potential and enhance your career through a continuous focus on learning and development.

Queen’s University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We have created an inclusive culture by establishing staff networks such as iRise (Race) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.

We also subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI in addition to Athena Swan. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit:  www.qub.ac.uk/diversity ; www.qub.ac.uk/qgi and www.qub.ac.uk/sites/StaffGateway/StaffNetworks/ .

Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Wesley Flannery, Email: (w.flannery@qub.ac.uk ).

Candidate Information

Attractive reward package

About the School

Further information for international applicants