Post-Doctoral Researcher: Care Leavers – Ten Years On Project

Post Status: Fixed-term Contract– Full-time (5 days per week) x 12 months

Post Summary

Care Leavers – Ten Years On is a groundbreaking national research study commissioned by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Immigration and Youth (DCEDIY). It will investigate how care experienced adults who have grown up in residential or foster family care in Ireland and are now aged in their late twenties have fared since they left care at age 18. The research contract was awarded following an international public competition to a research team drawn from School of Social Work and Social Policy, TCD, School of Medicine, TCD and School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex. The study will represent the first comprehensive study of care leaver experiences since leaving care in Ireland and is the first study in a wider suite of research to be commissioned in the DCEDIY Care Experiences Programme. This study and the wider programme of research on children in care and care leavers are responses to one of the key recommendations of The Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (The Ryan Report) (2009). The research project entails a target of seventy completed interviews with care experienced adults (CEA) who meet the selection criteria and an estimated further thirty interviews with nominated adults suggested by the CEA. (On previous study experience not all CEA will wish to make a nomination, and not all nominated adults may wish to take part). While primarily based on qualitative interviews, the study will also gather some key demographic background data. 

Reporting to the two PIs., the successful candidate will play a key coordinating role in the overall management of the research project. They will support the research team to achieve the objectives of the study. Drawing on research, administrative and networking skills, they will liaise with team members, interviewers and other key actors.  Key tasks will include providing administrative support for the overall smooth running of the project, coordinating fieldwork planning and progression, data collection, management and analysis and contributing to drafting work.

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit:

• A cover letter explaining why this position interests them and what they will bring to it;
• Curriculum vitae (maximum two A4 pages);
• Transcript or grades (from MSc/BSc/BA/PHD), as appropriate;
• Names of three references with email addresses and phone numbers;

Completed applications to be sent by email with the subject line: Postdoctoral Researcher: Care Leavers – Ten Years On Study

by 08/11/2024

To: Jennifer O’Toole (jennifer.otoole@tcd.ie)

Further Information

Informal enquiries: contact Jennifer O’Toole (Jennifer.OToole@tcd.ie)

GARDA CLEARANCE:   Police vetting may be sought in respect of individuals who come under consideration for a post.

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