Research Officer

We are seeking a Research Officer to conduct research on two ESRC funded projects. One of the projects is a pilot project which will monitor the impact of digital and other surveillance activities upon GRT and migrant Roma communities and groups. The research will consider key state surveillance practices affecting these communities across Europe with a particular focus on England and Wales (Theme II: Rights, Refugees and Marginalised Communities).

The second project entails working with the Environment Centre Wales, in partnership with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, to conduct mapping and assessment of co-produced innovation in local economies linked to sustainable food and energy production, flooding prevention, responses to pollution, and land management (Theme IV: Local Economies and Place Based Innovations).

The researcher will spend 3 days a week on Theme II: Rights, Refugees and Marginalised Communities, and 2 days a week on Theme IV: Local Economies and Place Based Innovations. The research is based in Bangor as part of the Wales Institute for Economic Research, Data & Methods (WISERD).

Applicants must have experience in research design, data collection and analysis relevant to the project themes. The position requires an individual with a PhD in a relevant social science area or related discipline, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills as he or she will be working with the WISERD team at Bangor and a wide range of research partners. The post holder must be able to travel to research sites within as well as outside the UK as necessary.

The researcher will actively contribute to publications, dissemination, impact, research development and capacity building.

The appointment will be full time and tenable from 1st March 2025.

Committed to Equal Opportunities.

The Project

Research Officer: WISERD People, Places and the Public Sphere

The Wales Institute for Economic Research, Data & Methods (WISERD) has been awarded funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) matched from its partner Universities to undertake a three-year programme of policy relevant research addressing People, Places and the Public Sphere in Wales, the UK and Internationally. Research will be inter-institutional and multidisciplinary and will aim to produce new evidence on the changing nature of society.

Projects are led by the five WISERD partner institutions of Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Swansea and South Wales universities, supported by international collaborators from Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Australia.

The Bangor projects are led by Prof Martina Feilzer, Dr Bethan Loftus and Dr Robin Mann (Bangor University). The researcher will have an integral role in Theme II “Rights, Refugees and Marginalised Communities” and Theme IV “Local Economies and Place Based Innovations”, and will actively contribute to publications, dissemination, impact, research development and capacity building.

Purpose of the Job
- To conduct primary research for WISERD People, Places and the Public Sphere, Theme II “Rights, Refugees and Marginalised Communities” and Theme IV “Local Economies and Place Based Innovations”.
- To contribute to the activities of WISERD through publications, knowledge transfer and capacity building.
- To take an active role in the WISERD community, contributing to relevant research meetings, associated events and activities across the Institute.

Main

**Responsibilities**:
Research duties:

- Research design and preparation.
- Data collection at research sites in Wales including interviews, participant observation and other methods.
- Data analysis using appropriate techniques.
- Research collaboration with colleagues in Bangor, WISERD and beyond.
- Dissemination of results of research in high quality peer-reviewed publications.
- Engagement with research stakeholders, policy makers, civil society organisations, and the wider community.
- Involvement in impact activities such as exhibitions, online dissemination of research findings for a lay audience, etc.
- Participation in bids for further externally-funded research.
- Engaging in scholarly and other relevant professional activities.

Knowledge exchange duties:

- Work with the WISERD communications officer to ensure that information on the project and its findings are disseminated appropriately and effectively to a range of stakeholders.
- To maximise the impact of WISERD’s research programme by engaging effectively in knowledge exchange and engagement activity with research users and non-academic partners.

Training and capacity building duties:

- Actively contribute to WISERD’s training and capacity building programme.

Administrative duties:

- Provide information and reports to the WISERD Hub and to meet funder and institute requirements in relation to reporting, specifically in relation to ResearchFish as requested and in a timely manner.
- Liaising with gatekeepers and research participants.