Postdoctoral Research Associate - (Social Science Support for the Chair in Emerging Technologies) Grade 7

Following on from an externally funded activity, the School of Physical Sciences is now expanding the iMAGINE Group of the RAEng Chair in Emerging Technologies (CiET) to follow up on the zero-power reactor design project and the related social sciences work, through a new research appointment. We are now seeking an exceptional, experienced candidate to join our team in the role of a Research Associate.

You will work with the CiET in the iMAGINE project in close collaboration with the development team headed by the CiET at the main Campus of University of Liverpool. You will carry out independent research, based on the data acquired during the zero-power reactor project to deliver a much wider body of work in the social science area to support iMAGINE and the mid-term review of the Chair position.

Within the project you will interact with governmental and industrial partners and researchers on other funded projects managed by the Chair. You will be working alongside a highly motivated group of scientists and engineers and be able to communicate and overcome the disciplinary boundaries in a strongly multi-disciplinary team.

You will join a multidisciplinary team focusing on:

• Analysing the acquired interview data based on a variety of qualitative research approaches.
• Presenting the results of the zero-power reactor project on international events and contribute to a positive opinion making on nuclear technologies in a wider sense.
• Supporting the mid-term review of the CiET with social science views.
• Disseminating results to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Supporting efficient science and risk communication. 

You should have substantial experience in:

• Placing and presenting your results at international events.
• Providing data analysis with qualitative research methods.
• Disseminating of results to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Delivering science and risk communication and working with natural sciences teams.

You will have a range of duties etc. set out below is indicative and not prescriptive. Expectation of role is that you will be:

• Delivering and organising project work on time and budget.
• Analysing already acquired data based on a variety of qualitative research approaches.
• Scanning and interpreting of international literature on social science and engineering with special focus on nuclear technologies.
• Providing expertise and support in social science issues to the project group.
• Communicating and discussing with multi-disciplinary external partners as well as with governmental players.
• Working with leading academics to develop novel approaches to support innovation projects and proposals.

You will have:

• Experience in conducting interviews and analysing the acquired data based on a variety of qualitative research approaches.
• Experience in presenting and discussing your results on national and international events.
• Ability to disseminate results to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Experience in science and risk communication and in the work with engineering.
• An excellent publication record.
• Interest in interdisciplinary work within large scale projects.

Please contact Professor Tim Veal, Head of Department (timveal@liverpool.ac.uk) or Professor Bruno Merk (b.merk@liverpool.ac.uk) for all enquiries.

You should have a PHD (or soon to be awarded) in Social Science. If you are still awaiting your PhD to be awarded you will be appointed at Grade 6, spine point 30. Upon written confirmation that you have been awarded your PhD, your salary will be increased to Grade 7, spine point 31.

This post is offered on a 6 months fixed term basis, with the possibility of extension (funding permitting).

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