Research Associate, University of Strathclyde

The University of Strathclyde is seeking to appoint a Research Associate to be based in the School of Social Work & Social Policy.  The successful applicant will be a key, qualitative researcher within an exciting three-year study funded by Leverhulme. The purpose of this role will be to work as post-doctoral researcher on a Leverhulme funded research project entitled: Penal Supervision in Comparative Context.  This three-year project involves partners in the University of Nottingham, the University of Strathclyde, Sheffield Hallam University, and the University of Stirling.  The University welcomes applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds including criminology, social work, social policy, sociology, anthropology and broader political and social sciences and the humanities.

About the role

This role involves working as part of a team, full-time, on a three-year project funded by the Leverhulme Trust entitled: Penal Supervision in Comparative Context. The scale, diversity and intensity of penal supervision has greatly increased in recent years, leading to suggestions that we have entered an era of ‘mass supervision’. Three times as many people are supervised as are imprisoned, yet there have been few in-depth attempts to understand the nature of supervision and its growth. This comparative research will explore supervision in situ across five nations (England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales). Using innovative methods, the study will generate crucial knowledge about how supervision is experienced, practiced and governed, and the socio-political conditions that influence its forms and its development.  Based at the University of Strathclyde, you will be one of two Post-Doctoral Researchers working on the project, in a role which will involve data collection including mobile ethnographic methods, research interviews and the production of research outputs. We are committed to providing an inclusive research environment and to supporting the career development of post-doctoral researchers working on the project. As part of the project team, you will work directly with Professor Beth Weaver, University of Strathclyde and closely with other members of the project team. 

About you

University of Strathclyde is looking for a motivated, highly qualified individual with a PhD in a relevant social science discipline (e.g. criminology, law, social work, social policy, sociology, anthropology or politics) who will join our research team to explore penal supervision in comparative contexts. You will have excellent communication skills, and demonstrable experience of carrying out research. Experience of mobile digital ethnographic methods and/or documentary/policy analysis are desirable, as is experience of conducting research with people involved in the criminal justice system.  You should have experience of data analysis and an ability to work independently and as part of a team. Familiarity with the substantive research topic (comparative criminology, penal supervision) is also desirable.   

Formal interviews for this post are likely to be held in November 2023. For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Beth Weaver: beth.weaver@strath.ac.uk