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OPEN POSITIONS IN SOCIOLOGY - SPRING 2024

Job Title: Research Fellow (Post-Doctoral Researcher)

School/Department: School of Social Sciences and Philosophy, Department of Sociology

Job Category and Level: Research, Appointment will be on the IUA Post-Doctoral Researcher Scale PD1 to a maximum of point 3, in line with current government pay policy. https://www.iua.ie/for-researchers/researchersalary-scales-career-framework/

Closing Date: Monday, 20th of May 2024, 12 pm (Irish time)

The Purpose of the Role

The Department of Sociology at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) seeks to appoint an outstanding and highly motivated Post-Doctoral Researcher with excellent qualifications on a specific purpose contract. The successful candidate will join a TCD-based research team led by Dr Yekaterina Chzhen and collaborate closely with a University College London based team led by Professor Jennifer Symonds on the “Longitudinal Educational Achievements: Reducing iNequalities” (LEARN) project. It is a consortium project coordinated by the University of Helsinki, funded under the HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions. The successful candidate will get to travel internationally to project meetings and will collaborate with other consortium members.
The Department of Sociology, under the leadership of Professor Jan Skopek, will provide all logistical, academic and intellectual support by integrating the Post-Doctoral Researcher into a dynamic network of academics located within the Department of Sociology.

Main Responsibilities
This is a list of the tasks, duties and responsibilities for the role.

Research

Contributing to a new interdisciplinary conceptual perspective on educational inequalities and a framework for analysing longitudinal data on educational inequalities.
Working together with a team of research fellows to systematically review the evidence on educational inequalities at key educational transition points using published research articles featuring cohort study data from European Member States, Switzerland, and the UK.
Conducting an in-depth review of policy intervention for reducing educational inequalities in Ireland.
A summary of evidence-based education in Ireland.
Contributing to writing a state-of-the-art report on the utility of well-being education for alleviating educational inequalities.
Analysis of Irish cohort study data to produce findings on inequalities in educational achievement and other educational outcomes from childhood to adulthood.
Analysis of the effects of selected policy changes on educational inequalities in Ireland using Irish cohort study data.
Assessing the effects of differences in educational spending over time on inequalities in educational achievement in Ireland.

Person Requirements

The role-holder will require the following knowledge, skills and attributes for successful performance in the role.

Qualifications

Excellent academic record and have completed a Ph.D. (essential) in, but not limited to:

Sociology
Psychology
Economics
Social Policy
Public Policy

Knowledge & Experience Research

An excellent academic trajectory and methodological training in social science research. (essential)
Exceptional skills in quantitative survey data analysis using software such as Stata. (essential)
Experience of analysing data from birth cohort studies. (desirable)
Experience in conducting systematic literature reviews. (desirable)
Knowledge of theories and policies relevant to educational inequalities in high-income countries. (desirable)

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills using English language.
Leadership abilities and interpersonal skills.
Good organisational skills.

Personal attributes

A proactive teamwork attitude.
Commitment to own professional development.
Career driven, enthusiastic and motivated.

Application Procedure

Candidates should submit the following documentation via email to Lorraine Ivers at recruit.sociology.sssp@tcd.ie

A motivation letter clearly indicating how the applicant’s profile and skills fit the requirements of this Post-Doctoral Researcher position (max. 2 pages);
2. A full curriculum vitae;
Names, affiliation, and contact details of 2 referees (with their email addresses included);

4. One example (at least) of a written piece –in English– showing the analytical, writing, and empirical skills of the candidate in a social science discipline. If the written submission is a collaborative effort, please include a brief outline of your specific contribution.