Research Associate

Applications are invited for a behavioural science fellowship focused upon cross-cultural social psychology. The fellowship is jointly hosted by GCHQ (Classified Research Programme (CRP)) and the University of Manchester. The fellowship will provisionally run between January 2025 and April 2026, with the possibility of an extension.

Fellows will pursue a research project designed in consultation with colleagues in GCHQ, addressing issues relevant to national security and GCHQ’s own research agenda. Some of the research will assume a standard academic form and fellows will be expected to pursue its publication in relevant academic journals, suitable for submission in the Research Excellence Framework, subject to GCHQ approval. Some will be classified and intended for use by GCHQ and their partner organisations only. It will be shared internally within the national security community. Fellows will therefore gain experience of two very different research environments and of negotiating the complexities of working between them.

Fellows will have a base within the University of Manchester. They will have mentors both within the University and GCHQ, to offer guidance and support. Mentors in the two organisations will work together to ensure coherence and consistency in their advice and support. Fellows will be expected to attend GCHQ’s Manchester office regularly and so are expected either to be located in the North-West or willing to relocate.

Applicants should have completed or at least submitted a relevant PhD and have expertise in cross-cultural psychology, social psychology and/or social influence. This expertise should be explained in a letter of application and short-listed candidates will be expected to demonstrate it in a brief presentation at interview.

Elements of the CRP’s work are highly confidential and subject to formal security procedures. The fellow may be expected to apply for national security clearance from GCHQ, making them subject to the provisions of the Official Secrets Act (which includes restrictions on travel to certain countries). UK resident UK nationals will normally be able to apply for clearance, but all applicants should carefully consider their eligibility before applying for the fellowship. Information about vetting and clearance can be found on the UK Government security vetting website. The University of Manchester reserve the right to terminate a fellowship in the event of a loss of security clearance.

Informal e-mail  enquiries can be made via bsfellowships@manchester.ac.uk.

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

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