Institute for Social Justice Project Manager & Researcher

Introduction to YSJ

York St John is an ambitious, modern university at the heart of historic York. As one of the fastest growing universities in the UK over recent years, we have a commitment to widening opportunity through the power of education and contributing our talents to creating a fairer world, and a more prosperous region. We are putting inspirational learning and impactful research at the heart of this strategy, recognising our academic expertise as our greatest asset.

The Institute for Social Justice

The Institute for Social Justice was launched in 2020 to underpin York St John University’s mission to stand up for social justice. We do so through developing collaborative research and practice that seeks to identify, expose and address some of the inequalities, injustices and challenges facing society today. At its core the Institute seeks to work with people, with partners and with communities in a manner that sees participation, implementation and change as vital parts of its mission.

The Role

The Institute for Social Justice leads and co-ordinates collaborative and interdisciplinary research that seeks to identify and address some of the inequalities and injustices facing society today. Central to this is partnership and project work, engaging with organisations, community groups and other external stakeholders as well as multi-faceted research teams internally. The role of ISJ Project Manager and Researcher is to help co-ordinate and grow this activity.

As project manager, the role will include providing overall project management support to the Director of the Institute and also to individual projects operating within ISJ. This will include seeking opportunities to develop new partnerships and to provide added value by networking between projects. The post will also provide broad event, communication and admin support to the ISJ.

As researcher, the role will include both developing new and supporting existing projects, particularly focused on partnership research through our community research grants. Our research approach is underpinned by principles of co-production and participatory methods, and any candidates would require experience of these approaches. We are particularly interested in candidates from across any discipline who can lead research in areas such as neurodiversity and disability; racial justice; refugees and asylum seekers.

Required skills and experience

We are seeking an enthusiastic and social justice-focused researcher with experience of working in research teams. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to fulfil both the elements of this post, contributing dynamic research as well as the ability to support others through project management. A commitment to participatory practice is essential, along with an understanding of the challenges of working in a co-productive manner with external partners and communities. We are looking for candidates with specialism within neurodiversity, disability, racial justice, refugees and asylum seekers, but within these are open to candidates from a diversity of disciplines across the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences.

Further Information

Any queries about the specifics of the role and suitability for the post should be directed to Matthew Reason (director ISJ) via email: m.reason@yorksj.ac.uk.

Unfortunately this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship however we welcome your application if you are able to evidence right to work in the UK via an alternative route.

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