Research Associate in Computational Social Science

Job reference: HUM-027657

Salary: £36,924-£45,163 per annum, dependent on relevant experience

Faculty/Organisational Unit: Humanities

Location: Oxford Road

Employment type: Fixed Term

Division/Team: Social Statistics

Hours Per Week: Full Time (1 FTE) or two part time candidates on a job-share

Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 17/01/2025

Contract Duration: 24 months

School/Directorate: School of Social Sciences

We seek to appoint a Research Associate on a full-time appointment for 24 months to join the Computational Social Science training team of the UK Data Service (UKDS), based at the Cathie Marsh Institute. The post will start on the 1st of April 2025. Two part-time candidates working on a job share could also be considered. 

This team specialises in upskilling social scientists in computationally intensive research methods such as machine learning, text-mining, synthetic data creation and interactive visualisations. The upskilling takes place through live training sessions (online and in-person), asynchronous learning materials and other formats such as drop-in sessions, live coding demonstrations etc.  We are seeking someone with computational social science expertise to:

(1) contribute to an UKRI-funded project led by UKDS staff to upskill global data service staff in computational social science.

(2) contribute to the UKDS computational social science training programme.

There will be the opportunity for you to conduct your own research using computational social science as part of your role, but the majority of your time will be spent on preparing and delivering training. You will work closely with senior staff leading the programme of training and research work and with other staff employed to deliver training within the UKDS.  

UKRI Upskilling Global Data Services Staff

This project aims to understand the current computational skills capacity of global data services staff as well as to explore and better understand how training can upskill those staff and fill knowledge gaps. This will involve:

• creating asynchronous learning materials on computational social science topics based on the results of focus groups with global data service staff.
• developing a community of practice around usage of the asynchronous learning materials.
• analysis of data from focus groups, surveys, and interviews with global data service staff.
• writing up the research outcomes for reports, conference presentations and journal articles,
• presenting the research outcomes at conferences.
• storing the resulting data confidentially.
• leading on writing the final project report.
• other related duties as needed.

UKDS Computational Social Science Training Programme:

This will involve

• Developing, organising and delivering training in a variety of formats (e.g. online materials, events, drop-ins, live coding demonstrations) on a variety of computational social science topics.
• Developing further skills in computational social science in order to transfer knowledge via the UK Data Service training programme.
• Working with senior stakeholders and others working in the field.
• Other related duties as needed.

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status.  All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.         

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Jools Kasmire

Email: j.kasmire@manchester.ac.uk

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