Apply now for our Participatory Research Postdoctoral Associate Opportunity (Deadline 14 March)

Do you have a PhD in an Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences subject? Do you have expertise in participatory research methods and/or ethnographic research methods?

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support a Participatory Research Project with Special Collections in the University of Leeds Library.

Special Collections at Leeds holds numerous valuable items and collections of significant relevance and interest for our local communities. However, many of these collections are currently inaccessible to those beyond the University. This project will work with disengaged communities in Leeds and Bradford to explore how our collections can be made more accessible. Going beyond the aim of displaying items in galleries, it will investigate how we co-curate the material in the Special Collections using a participatory model, what decolonisation means in relation to the collections, and what animates, inspires and facilitates community engagement.

Job Summary:

• Salary Grade: 7 (£34,304 - £40,927 p.a. Pro rata)
• Closing Date: 14/03/2022 (09:00am)
• Start Date: No later than 01/04/2022
• Full time, Fixed term for 3 months (Due to external funding)
• We will consider job share and flexible working requests.
• Successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK and available to run in-person sessions in Leeds throughout the role

As a Postdoctoral Research Associate you will have:

• A PhD in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences (please note, the PhD must have been awarded by the time of application);
• Demonstrable expertise in participatory research methods and/or ethnographic research methods;
• Experience of engaging with community groups or volunteer organisations;
• Experience of organising and running workshops/events;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent time management, project management and organisation skills;
• Proven ability to work independently and to tight deadlines;
• Flexibility and adaptability, with a proactive and positive approach.

You may also have:

• Language skills in addition to English;
• Experience of using archival or unique collection items
• Experience of collaborating with external arts and cultural organisations, especially those based in or working with under-represented communities.