As one of the longest-established and most distinguished in the UK, the Department of Sociology has played an important role in the development of the discipline internationally. Our colleagues’ commitment to research resulted in the Department being ranked by the Times Higher Education as fourth in the UK for research and first for research impact. We are a collegiate department with a vibrant, research-intensive group of staff. We are based in a modern building on the University’s East Campus.
The Department of Sociology, along with research partners, RAND have been commissioned by National Institute of Health, Policy Research Programme to evaluate the Thalidomide Health Grant. Thalidomide survivors are supported by a government health grant that provides them with the means to obtain support for their long-standing disabilities. This is currently being reviewed by the Department of Health and Social Care for England and Wales. This research will inform the Government review.
You will be a member of the team working under the direction of Dr Elizabeth Newbronner and Professor Karl Atkin at the University of York. The post is based in the Department of Sociology.
The role is part of the qualitative for the qualitative evaluation and the role will involve contributing to the design, conduct, write-up and dissemination of the qualitative component of the research, which includes fieldwork with thalidomide survivors, their families and care professionals. The role will also require extensive liaison with policy stakeholders.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Consequently, all applicants will be asked to declare both unspent and spent convictions on their application form. Appointment of the successful candidate will be conditional on a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
The post is available immediately for a fixed-term period of up to 30 months at an anticipated 14.8 hours per week, 40% of full time.
PhD in sociology
Knowledge of qualitative methodologies and associated research techniques
Knowledge of different sociological approaches to understanding disability, including use of critical and social models
Knowledge of academic debates about the sociology of health and social care in the UK
Highly developed communication skills to engage effectively with a wide ranging audience, both orally and in writing, using a range of media
Ability to write up research work for publication in high profile sociological journals and engage in public dissemination
Experience of theoretically informed qualitative analysis
Experience of gaining National Health Service ethical approvals
Experience of writing up research work for publication
Experience of undertaking qualitative interviews
Experience of patient and public involvement
Ability to plan and prioritise own work in order to meet deadlines, including using initiative to plan research programmes
For informal enquiries: please contact Professor Karl Atkin at karl.atkin@york.ac.uk.
Interview date: To be confirmed
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Consequently, all applicants will be asked to declare both unspent and spent convictions on their application form.
Appointment of the successful candidate will be conditional on a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
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We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.
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