Department of Law and Criminology

Location:  Egham
Salary:  £35,931 per annum pro rata - including London Allowance
Closing Date:  Monday 04 November 2019
Interview Date:  Friday 29 November 2019  

Full-Time, Fixed-Term (4 months)

Applications are invited for the post of Research Assistant in Law and Criminology in the School of Law and Criminology

This post offers a unique opportunity for an excellent researcher to undertake a scoping study by navigating extensive data sets derived from surveys distributed to people in places of detention as part of the routine work of HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) over the last 20 years. HMIP is an independent organisation, and an arms-length body of the Ministry of Justice, employing approximately 70 people in total. HMIP has a remit to inspect all prisons in England and Wales as well as other forms of detention, including immigration detention and court custody facilities. Inspections of police detention are carried out jointly with HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Service and inspections of Secure Training Centres with Ofsted. The Chief Inspector of Prisons reports directly to the relevant Secretary of State on the treatment of and conditions for those detained in these types of custody. 

This fixed term post (based predominantly at HMIP's London offices, with regular travel to Royal Holloway's beautiful Egham campus) has come about as the result of an exciting new partnership between a team of academics from Royal Holloway (Professors David Denney, Nick Hardwick and Rosie Meek) and HMIP. We believe that the historical survey data collected by HMIP over the last 20 years has the potential to be a significant resource for those seeking to understand penal environments and contribute to more effective future policy. A primary part of the role therefore will involve conducting a feasibility study to examine the potential for other uses of this historical and growing dataset, through the use of exploratory statistical methods and the application of an understanding of trends in prison policy over this 20 year time period.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to internal and external publications, to the writing of grant applications and, where appropriate, to develop guest teaching experience. 

To view further details of this post and to apply please visit https://jobs.royalholloway.ac.uk. For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk 

Closing Date:  Midnight, 4 November 2019 

Interview Date: 29 November 2019 (in London)

Please note that it will not be possible for the College to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for successful candidates as this role does not fall into one of the standard occupational codes deemed eligible for sponsorship by UK Visas and Immigration. Successful candidates will therefore need to be eligible to work in the UK or have limited leave to remain in the UK and associated right to work for the duration of their employment with the College, in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006