Research Trainee

Role Description

Department

As one of the longest-established (1965) and most distinguished in the UK, the Department of Sociology has played an important role in the development of the discipline.   Our 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.  The Department is also in the World Top 100 for Sociology (QS World Ranking, 2026).   By collaborating with international and national partners, we pride ourselves on doing sociology that makes a positive change in the world (https://www.york.ac.uk/sociology/research/).  We are a collegiate department with a vibrant, research-intensive group of staff, organised around four clusters: Science, Health and Technology; Gender, Sexuality and Inequalities; Culture, Value and Practices; and Language and Social Interaction.

We are currently recruiting for a Research Trainee to support a qualitative research project funded by the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC). The project explores UK consumers’ everyday practices, values and barriers in relation to Plant-Based Meat Alternatives (for example vegetarian/vegan burgers, sausages and mince) and other novel alternative protein sources (which do not directly attempt to mimic meat) from a social scientific perspective. You will work directly with the Principal Investigator (research supervisor) and liaise with the Industry Partner (a leading alternative protein brand). You will be responsible primarily for working on Work Package Three: distributing task journals and conducting in-depth, semi-structured online interviews with consumers exploring their everyday dietary practices and values regarding alternative protein sources. You will lead the day to day operation, administration and delivery of this work package, including the recruitment of participants, supporting completion of the task journals and undertaking online qualitative interviews. You will also assist with aspects of other work packages and wider project activities as appropriate and in line with your personal and professional development goals including analysis of qualitative data and work on writing up and disseminating findings (including to industry). You will work closely with the research team and receive appropriate training and development opportunities.

Role

The main duties and responsibilities of the job include: 

• To provide support to Work Package Three of the research project, undertaking research work within the overall package and assisting with the operation of the work package 

• With the guidance of the Research Supervisor, to undertake a combination of research design, recruitment and day to day management and delivery of task journals and subject interviews

• To liaise and collaborate with the industry partner as appropriate

• To work closely with the Research Supervisor and industry partner on other Work Packages as appropriate / agreed to support qualitative data analysis and in the preparation of work for dissemination

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

The successful candidate will have:

• A suitable qualification in a Social Science discipline (or equivalent experience)

• Existing research expertise in a relevant field and previous experience of undertaking qualitative research, preferably semi-structured, in-depth interviews 

• Ability to conduct research and lead on the day to day running and administration of the task journals / semi-structured interview aspect of the project

• Ability to work independently and plan and prioritise own work in order to meet deadlines

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Dr Emily Nicholls (emily.nicholls@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.