Research Fellow - Fixed term, part-time

Job reference   0000012714

Date posted   23/04/2021

Application closing date    09/05/2021

Salary   £32,816 pro rata, per annum (Grade 5)

Package   Excellent benefits package

Job description
Research Fellow – fixed term part-time: Haunted Shores Network

We are looking for an enthusiastic humanities scholar with web development skills to join us as a Research Fellow until 31 July 2021. This position is required for short-term development of the recently-established Haunted Shores Network. 

Haunted Shores is an interdisciplinary collaborative network led by Dr Emily Alder, Edinburgh Napier University, Dr Jimmy Packham, University of Birmingham, and Dr Joan Passey, University of Bristol. The network probes representations of the coast across disciplines and in Gothic modes. It works to raise understanding of the cultural significance of coasts and shorelines in a time of environmental catastrophe that threatens both lands and waters. Worldwide, coasts are the spaces that are most vulnerable to the effects of sea level rise caused by global warming: we are losing our shores. Haunted Shores also grapples with political meanings of coastal space in national imaginaries; in recent years, British coasts have featured prominently in debates and anxieties around migration, Brexit and the UK fisheries, and coronavirus lockdown restrictions (and their transgression).

The role

You will take the lead on developing the Network’s Wordpress site, presence on social media platforms, and communicating with the membership around events, the blog, publications, and other Network activities. You may also be involved in producing copy and other content for the Wordpress blog, and in the administration and facilitation of online events such as the Reading Group. You will assist the Network leaders on the production of publication proposals for an essay collection and journal issue, and the drafting of applications for external funding sources.

Who we are looking for 

You will be an experienced researcher with PhD (or be very near to its completion) in a subject related to environmental humanities and/ or Gothic literature. You will have knowledge of humanities research methods and approaches, and an understanding of the UK Higher Education funding environment; ideally, you will have experience of writing funding applications.

You will have experience of working within or managing social or scholarly networks. You will have excellent communication and IT skills, including with social media and video conferencing platforms; ideally, you will be familiar with Wordpress specifically.

You will have the ability to collaborate as part of a small research unit, and to manage and undertake projects and tasks independently. You will have excellent time management skills to ensure the delivery of tasks in a timely fashion to meet deadlines.

Due to current COVID-19 social distancing, this post will likely be a working from home role, so access to wi-fi and your own device would be advantageous.

Please email hauntedshoresinfo@gmail.com by Sunday 9 May 2021 with a CV, a covering letter that explains how you fulfil the person specification, Details of two referees (ideally one academic reference and one from a current or recent employer or line manager; we will take up references after short listing).

Please click here to view the role profile/description.

Benefits we offer

Salary: £32,816 pro rata, per annum (Grade 5)

The part-time working hours are flexible and may be 20-30 hours per week, depending on start date, until 31 July 2021.

Additional information

Closing Date: Sunday 9 May 2021 (Midnight BST)

Interviews: Monday 17 May 2021 via video conferencing

We are unable to sponsor any candidate for this role due to the short term nature of this opportunity

The University is committed to inclusion, demonstrated through our work in respect of our diversity awards and accreditations and holds Disability Confident, Carer Positive and Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champion status. More details can be found here.