WISERD Civil Society Post-Doctoral Fellow – WCVA

15191BR

Cardiff School of Social Sciences

Research

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WISERD Civil Society Post-Doctoral Fellow – WCVA

The Wales Institute for Social and Economic Research, Data & Methods (WISERD) is pleased to announce a call for applications to its Civil Society Fellowship scheme, aimed at providing a career development opportunity for those in the immediate postdoctoral stage of their career.  The fellowship will allow successful candidate to consolidate their PhD through publication, growing their networks, and strengthening their research and professional skills and prepare them for the next stage of their research careers either within or beyond academia.

Through being embedded within a dynamic centre for research, engagement and training, fellows will have the opportunity to undertake a varied programme of activities supporting their continued development. We encourage those who are near to completing their doctoral thesis, or who have less than 12-months postdoctoral experience to apply – the fellowship start is January/February 2023 and the role can be carried out on a full-time or part-time basis.

This fellowship post is in partnership with Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) where applicants will need to demonstrate the relevance of their research to WCVA and the Voluntary sector in general. Specifically, we are looking for applicants that are able to apply their expertise to support voluntary organisations to develop and use evidence to develop more innovative services.

The post will work with a new partnership between WCVA and Macmillan to explore the potential to tap into community-level relationships to improve access to cancer information and support services. We know the potential to do this is high, but not how that could best be done, where there is the greatest opportunity or what could make the biggest impact at the community-level. The post will support partners to take an experimental approach and to understand what works most effectively.

The post will support the partnership with initial research to scope and map existing actors and relationships. It will support a desk-top synthesis of existing evidence. This will include what cancer patients are saying and what we can learn from existing examples. The post will also support partners in their work to involve diverse people in ideation and support the Advisory Board to identify a small number of approaches with the greatest potential.
Macmillan will bring expertise and existing networks on cancer support. WCVA will enable the post to connect to its diverse network of members and will also host a post to manage the wider project, including the Advisory Board. The fellowship post will bring research expertise and links to the wider WISERD network.

This is an opportunity to be involved in developing new solutions for cancer information and support services. WCVA will also draw on this work to explore approaches that voluntary organisations can take more generally to support innovation.

In addition to providing a CV and supporting statement that details how you meet the essential and desirable criteria, applicants must submit a 2000 word Fellowship Proposal with their online application – outlining the relevance of their research to WCVA work with Macmillan and how the fellowship will support their longer term research career aspirations.

The joint WCVA/ Macmillan project ‘Improving access to cancer information and support services at community-level’ aims to scope the potential for providing accessible cancer information and support services at a community level and to evidence what approaches work more or less effectively in practice. Planned outcomes include increased interest in the potential to provide access to cancer information and support at a community level; increased understanding of the potential for new relationships and alternative ways of using existing resources to increase access to cancer information and support at a community level; and more robust evidence on what works more or less effectively to provide access to cancer information and support at a community level.
For more information about the format please click on the website www.wiserd.ac.uk/career-opportunities/wiserd-postdoc-fellowships

This post is full-time and fixed-term for 12 months.  This is funded as a 1-year fellowship based at WISERD Cardiff University. The post is flexible and could be spread over a longer period if the fellowship is undertaken on a part time basis.  The fellowship is available to commence from January/February 2023.

Salary: £28,762 – £33,314 per annum, pro rata if part time (Grade 5)

For further details or any queries email wiserd@cardiff.ac.uk

Date advert posted: Friday, 28 October 2022

Closing date: Sunday, 27 November 2022

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

“Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment – Research – Cardiff University

Job Description

This fellowship post is in partnership with Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) where applicants will need to demonstrate the relevance of their research to WCVA and the Voluntary sector in general. Specifically, we are looking for applicants that are able to apply their expertise to support voluntary organisations to develop and use evidence to develop more innovative services.

The post will work with a new partnership between WCVA and Macmillan to explore the potential to tap into community-level relationships to improve access to cancer information and support services. We know the potential to do this is high, but not how that could best be done, where there is the greatest opportunity or what could make the biggest impact at the community-level. The post will support partners to take an experimental approach and to understand what works most effectively.

The post will support the partnership with initial research to scope and map existing actors and relationships. It will support a desk-top synthesis of existing evidence. This will include what cancer patients are saying and what we can learn from existing examples. The post will also support partners in their work to involve diverse people in ideation and support the Advisory Board to identify a small number of approaches with the greatest potential.
Macmillan will bring expertise and existing networks on cancer support. WCVA will enable the post to connect to its diverse network of members and will also host a post to manage the wider project, including the Advisory Board. The fellowship post will bring research expertise and links to the wider WISERD network.

This is an opportunity to be involved in developing new solutions for cancer information and support services. WCVA will also draw on this work to explore approaches that voluntary organisations can take more generally to support innovation.

Job description 
Fellows will contribute to research within the identified field of civil society that complements the work already undertaken in WISERD, carrying out work that leads to demonstrable academic and non-academic impact, including contributing towards the publication of research in high quality outputs. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same. 

• To undertake research that extends the parameters of your doctoral studies and that links to the outlined fellowship specific area relevant to the work of the WCVA and the Voluntary sector within the WISERD Civil Society Civic Stratification and Civil Repair themes.
• To actively participate in the life of WISERD in Cardiff, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners.
• To contribute and support research publications and presentations as required.
• To contribute and support research funding bids as required.
• To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages.
• To generate research output and contribute to the development of independent and original ideas as appropriate.
• To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.
• To participate in WISERD administration and activities to promote WISERD and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

A degree in a relevant social sciences discipline, or equivalent experience, and either nearing completion/submission at PhD level in a social sciences related subject area or having less than 12 months post-doctoral experience in a related subject area.

Knowledge of social science research methods and techniques with some demonstrable quantitative research expertise.

Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately.

Ability to demonstrate the capability and drive to succeed in securing research funding.

Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences.

Excellent organisational and team-working skills.

Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within work.

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of collaborations with third sector organisations.
• Proven ability to work without close supervision.

NOTE

The Person Specification is split into 2 sections: essential and desirable.  Please demonstrate clearly how you meet all of the essential criteria.  Where possible you should give examples of how, when and where you have used your experience, knowledge, specific skills and abilities to match those required for this particular job role.

Please ensure that you communicate this fully by creating a supporting statement document, listing all of the criteria and commenting against each one as to how you meet them.  This will need to be completed before you begin making your application on line as you will be required to upload it.  

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you put your name and the  vacancy reference number, e.g. Supporting Statement for NAME XXXXBR.’

The desirable section contains a list of skills, qualifications and experience that it would be beneficial for the jobholder to have.

All short-listing decisions will be based initially on essential criteria, with desirable being used to further select or deselect candidates as appropriate.  

We interview those candidates who are the closest match to the identified criteria.

Additional Information

Wales Institute for Economic Research and Data (WISERD)

The Wales Institute for Economic Research and Data (WISERD) is a national, interdisciplinary, social science research institute. We have been designated by the Welsh Government as a national research centre. Using innovative approaches, our research spans the fields of economics, sociology, geography and political science.
We are a collaborative venture between the universities of Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, South Wales and Swansea – working together to improve the quality and quantity of social science research in Wales and beyond. Our research effects change by influencing the development of policy and practice across a range of sectors.
WISERD hosts the UK-wide WISERD Civil Society Research Centre, a major investment by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Administrative Data Research Centre Wales (ADRC-W) at Cardiff University, part of a project led by Swansea University. Other funded projects include IDEAL, WISERD Education, Global-Rural and Horizon 2020 IMAJINE.

Cardiff University School of Social Sciences
The School of Social Sciences is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research and teaching across a range of subject areas, including social policy, sociology, criminology, education, social psychology, and social work.

Over 220 staff (including over 30 professors and 60 researchers) are involved in a substantial programme of research – both fundamental and strategic – funded by ESRC, AHRC, MRC, charitable foundations, the European Union, Central Government departments and agencies and voluntary associations. Since its creation in 1999, the School has received over 25 million pounds for funded research.  In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework the School was ranked third for research quality in Sociology and joint fifth for research quality in Education. Cardiff University was ranked second for research impact and fifth overall for research quality.

The School has a large student population, with almost 1000 undergraduates, and 300 postgraduates (including 100 doctoral students).  The School has ESRC recognition for doctoral training in the fields of Criminology, Social Policy, Sociology, Education, and Science, Technology and Innovation. Our taught and postgraduate research programmes welcome students from around the world.

The School hosts a number of research centres and institutes, including the Universities’  Police Studies Institute (UPSI), now part of the University’s Crime & Security Research Institute; Wales Institute for Economic Research & Data (WISERD); Children’s Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer); Cardiff Unit for Research and Evaluation in Medical and Dental Education (CUREMeDE); and the Seafarers’ International Research Centre (SIRC). Many of the School’s research centres will soon be housed in the Social Science Research Park (SPARK), which is currently being developed as part of Cardiff University’s new Innovation Campus.

Further details of the School’s activities can be found on our home page: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/social-sciences  

Cardiff University School of Social Sciences holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award that recognises good employment practice and a commitment to develop the careers of women working in academia. Cardiff University is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. We actively encourage women to apply. We will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share opportunities.

Job Category

Academic – Research