Research Fellow (Aspire Project) - Birmingham Business School - 105372 - Grade 7

Position Details

Birmingham Business School

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2026

Closing date: 16th March 2025

Interview date: 2nd April 2025

Background

As a top global 100 University committed to research excellence the University of Birmingham is an exciting and dynamic place to work. We have been awarded funding from Wellcome to trial innovative ways of making higher education research cultures more race-inclusive, and we are seeking a Research Fellow to help with this work. In particular we are seeking someone who can help us ensure that the project outcomes not only improve practice across the University and the sector, but also advance understanding of inclusive research cultures, demonstrable through academic publications.

The post holder will contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of research activities within the ASPIRE project. This will include reviewing existing literature, analysing data, and developing written academic and practitioner outputs to further the sector’s understanding of race-inclusive research cultures. The post holder will have a higher degree in a social-science based discipline (e.g. Psychology, Sociology, Social Policy, Business Studies, Education, etc.) and be able to demonstrate familiarity with the literature on how race and ethnicity can impact on workplace experiences. The post holder will be based within Birmingham Business School but will be working on a University-wide initiative.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids 
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results 
• Contribute to generating funding 
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of those outlined below.

• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews 
• Analyse and interpret data 
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc.
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters 
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research 
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree in a social-science based discipline (e.g. Psychology, Sociology, Social Policy, Business Studies, Education, etc.) or equivalent qualifications 
• Able to demonstrate familiarity with the literature on how race and ethnicity can impact on workplace experiences
• Experience of writing publications for academic and/or practitioner audiences
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries to Professor Etlyn Kenny, email: e.j.kenny@bham.ac.uk

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .

• Job Identification 6561
• Job Category Academic Non-clinical
• Posting Date 02/28/2025, 12:01 AM
• Apply Before 03/16/2025, 11:59 PM
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TT, GB