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We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
The post holder will work with Dr Andrew Bell on an ESRC-funded project entitled Refining and embedding the Intersectional MAIHDA approach to intersectionality in quantitative social
science research'.
This role will incorporate various research activities: refining and evaluating the MAIHDA' multilevel modelling approach, ideally through simulation studies, and applying the method to a range of subject areas, including health inequalities, policy evaluation, and more, using large datasets. This will result in a series of both methodological and substantive journal articles and other outputs, that you would often lead on, in collaboration with the investigators. You will also have responsibility for key aspects of project administration (including data applications and management), contribute to managing stakeholder relationships, and planning and delivering dissemination and impact activities. You will also have the opportunity to be involved in the development and delivery of training courses and learning materials in the use of MAIHDA and its extensions, for both academic and non-academic audiences.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Conduct methodological research, using large empirical datasets and, ideally, simulation studies, to refine and evaluate the MAIHDA method and extensions to it, including longitudinal, geographical and policy evaluation approaches.
- Apply the above MAIHDA method and extensions to a range of substantive research questions, using large datasets such as Understanding Society. This will include health inequalities (with outcomes such as obesity and Covid-19 impacts), as well as other outcomes that are of interest to the postholder and collaborators.
- Contribute to and lead on preparation of journal articles, both methodological and substantive.
- Contribute to the preparation of presentations to be delivered at internal seminars and national and international conferences.
- Contribute to the preparation (and where desired, the delivery) of teaching materials in workshops in the use of MAIHDA and the extensions developed in the grant, both in Sheffield and beyond.
- Carry out administrative duties, including applications to access data and subsequent data management.
- Assist in communication about the project e.g.: blogs and other online outputs.
- Liaise closely with the PI, Co-Is, academic advisory group, and administrators relevant to the study.
- Keep up to date with ongoing research associated with current projects.
- Contribute to organising an end-of-project dissemination event aimed at both academic and nonacademic audiences, and other impact, knowledge exchange and dissemination activities, including conference attendance.
- Undertake relevant skills development activities to support your transition to becoming an independent, established researcher.
- Contribute to the design and development of further research proposals, if appropriate.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Essential criteria
- Have a PhD/doctorate in a quantitative social science or cognate subject (for instance, Geography, Economics, Social Epidemiology, etc) or equivalent, by the start date of the post (Assessed at Application).
- Experience of, and skills in, undertaking advanced quantitative social science / health research, that involves complex analysis of large datasets, and running multilevel models (Assessed at Application, Interview).
- Experience of using, and skills in, coding to do quantitative analysis, ideally using R or Stata (Assessed at Application, Interview).
- Excellent report/paper writing skills (Assessed at Application, Interview).
- An interest in health inequalities and intersectionality (Assessed at Application, Interview).
- Experience of data management, including ethical and secure
storage and use of quantitative data (Assessed at Application, Interview).
- Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, and
excellent interpersonal skills (Assessed at Application, Interview).
- Excellent information technology skills in the use of relevant
software such as Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel) (Assessed at Application, Interview).
- Ability to adapt skills to new circumstances and acquire new skills of
relevance to the role (Assessed at Application, Interview).
- Ability to work independently, seek guidance where appropriate,
and to work effectively in a team (Assessed at Application & Interview).
- Proven ability to prioritise workload and deliver to specified
deadlines (Assessed at Application, Interview).
Further Information
Grade: 7
Salary: £37,999 to £46,485 per annum (pro-rata)
Work arrangement: Full-time
Duration: Fixed-term until 31 August 2026, with the possibility of extension.
Line manager: Dr Andy Bell, Senior Lecturer
Direct reports: N/A
Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/education/smi
For informal enquiries about this job contact Andy Bell at andrew.j.d.bell@sheffield.ac.uk .
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in late May/early June 2025. This will consist of an interview, which will include a short presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 5 May 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact edc-ops@sheffield.ac.uk .
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What we offer
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- support for those going through the menopause
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.