Applications are invited for a Temporary post of a ERC Fellowship in (German) Politics within UCD School of Politics and International Relations.

Moral Agency in Election Campaigns (ELECT) is a project funded by the European Research Council (2023-2028). The emergence of novel political challengers and new strategic and communicative possibilities enabled by big data and new media has greatly altered the electoral landscape. In this context, ELECT aims to understand the normative attitudes and decision-making practices of key actors that animate the electoral process, how those attitudes and practices are shaped by different institutional and regulatory contexts, and the significance of these interactions for electoral democracy. To this end, electoral candidates, campaign professionals, journalists and citizens will be studied across four countries: Germany, Italy, the UK and the USA.

An experienced researcher (post-PhD or PhD submitted by time of appointment) is being recruited to work on the German case. The researcher will work together with the Principal Investigator (Associate Professor Joseph Lacey) and the wider research team for the first three years of the project.

This is a research focused role, where you will conduct a specified programme of research supported by research training and development under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator.

The primary purpose of the role is to further develop your research skills and competences, including the processes of publication in peer-reviewed academic publications, the development of funding proposals, the mentorship of graduate students along with the opportunity to develop your skills in research led teaching.

In addition to the Principal Duties and Responsibilities listed below, the successful candidate will also carry out the following duties specific to this project:

• Develop an interdisciplinary state of the art on election campaigns in the German case.
• Contribute to designing cross-national surveys, semi-structured interviews and focus groups.
• Take on fieldwork in the German case, carrying out surveys, semi-structured interviews and focus groups.
• Contribute to the analysis of collected data using qualitative and/or quantitative methods.
• Contribute to developing a theory of moral agency in election campaigns.
• Contribute to the organisation of international conferences at UCD and panels or sections at general conferences.

Application materials

• Cover letter (max 2 pages)
• CV (max 2 pages)
• Writing sample (publication or work in progress, max 12,000 words)
• Names of 2 referees

General benefits

• Competitive salary
• Social insurance contribution (PRSI)
• Pension contribution
• Hybrid working

Benefits specific to the role

• Generous funding for fieldwork abroad (including up to 6 months long-stay accommodation)
• Generous conference/travel allowance
• Laptop allowance
• Administrative/organisational support from project administrator

Salary Range: 42,126 - 47,000 per annum.

Appointment on the above range will be dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Closing date: 17:00hrs (local Irish time) on 20th of June 2023.

Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 17:00hrs (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system.

UCD are unable to accept late applications.

UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CV's submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.

Prior to application, further information (including application procedure) should be obtained from the Work at UCD website: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/.