Research Associate

Role Description

Department

This post is based in York Law School and offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to interdisciplinary research on gender and ageing. You will support Professor Sue Westwood, a socio-legal scholar and social gerontologist, in a programme of research exploring older women’s experiences of inequality in the United Kingdom (UK).

The research brings together perspectives from gender studies, ageing/gerontology, and socio-legal scholarship. It focuses on older women’s lived experiences of inequality, particularly, but not exclusively, in relation to everyday sexism and ageism, healthcare inequalities, and pension inequalities. The project aims to generate new insights into how UK systems, policies, and legal frameworks shape everyday experiences across areas such as health and healthcare, social care, economic security, and political representation.

This role would particularly suit someone with a strong interest in gender and/or ageing, who is keen to contribute to impactful, interdisciplinary research. Prior legal expertise is not required, but an openness to engaging with socio-legal perspectives would be valuable.

The role will involve working with a range of qualitative and mixed research methods, including interviews, focus groups, and surveys, as well as potentially creative and participatory approaches.

About the role

You will:

* Provide research and administrative support to ongoing projects
* Contribute to empirical data collection (including interviews, focus groups, and surveys)
* Assist with qualitative and quantitative data analysis
* Support the communication of research findings through events, publications, and public engagement (including social media)

This is a fixed term contract from 1 June 2026 to 31 July 2029.

Working arrangements: Some remote working options available

Skills, Experience & Qualifications required

• A postgraduate degree in a relevant field (e.g. gender studies, gerontology, social policy, sociology, human rights, or a related area)
• A PhD in a relevant topic (completed or near completion)
• A strong interest in gender and/or ageing, and a commitment to equality-focused research
• Experience of, or willingness to develop, empirical research skills
• Experience of data collection (or clear potential to undertake this)
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Experience of research (independent and/or collaborative), with the ability or potential to contribute to publications

Interview date: To be confirmed

Informal enquiries: Professor Sue Westwood, Head of York Law School, Email: sue.westwood@york.ac.uk 

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview.  Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.