Research Fellow (Researcher)

About The Job

Fixed Term until 31 March 2028

Interview Date: 5 August 2024

The post will support the delivery of the UKRI-funded Responsible AI UK Keystone research project “PROBabLE Futures - Probabilistic AI Systems in Law Enforcement Futures”, undertaking personal and collaborative quantitative and qualitative research activity as required by the project, contribute ideas, and/or enhancement of techniques or methodologies, writing up research work for publication and dissemination, to contribute to impact across all work packages and to transfer of knowledge/learning lessons from other domains and Responsible AI UK projects. The postholder will also assist on the Institute’s social impact measurement work for the University and external clients. The postholder will also contribute to the University’s future Research Excellence Framework submissions, through high quality publications and research impact. The position will also include support for the Institute’s international development and knowledge exchange work, particularly in South East Asia and Latin America.

All the research undertaken at the University of Northampton (UN) and the work that is done to generate new knowledge, is designed to have a social impact, helping improve people’s lives and the environment. Delivering social impact through research is a key part of the UN strategic plan Transforming Lives + Inspiring Change and is integrated with the Changemaker Challenges. The post holder will work with both internal colleagues and external stakeholders and will be responsible for promoting the University’s research agenda to partners and international audiences. The post holder is required to make a significant contribution to the financial sustainability of the Institute of Social Innovation and Impact (ISII) and should normally expect to gain funding equivalent to her/his own salary, on-costs and overheads on an annual basis. The post-holder will report to the Institute's Research Leader in charge of this work. The contract is full-time and runs until 31 March 2028.

We want you to be able to carry out your work in a way that best supports UON and our students, but also you as an individual. We understand this may vary between different areas of the university as well as from one person to another.  With Smarter Working you can work with increased flexibility, if you would like to, which can facilitate greater freedom and autonomy.

This post is subject to a background disclosure check by the Disclosure and Barring Service before any appointment can be confirmed

About You

The successful candidate should be a motivated, proactive and enthusiastic individual, capable of working within a team and working within large research projects. They should have experience of collecting, analysing and managing large datasets including survey, statistical, interview, focus group, observational and secondary data. The candidate must have good interpersonal skills and be capable of engaging with a variety of different stakeholders from different backgrounds, including children and youth, policy-makers, administration staff and academics. Further, they should have extensive experience and knowledge in participatory research, ethics and governance and AI.

Qualifications

Essential:

• PhD in relevant subject area and/or equivalent experience

Institute for Social Innovation and Impact

The Institute for Social Innovation and Impact (ISII) at the University of Northampton evaluates and measures the social impact of social innovations in the University, across the UK and around the world, as well as exploring the financing of, and policy support for, social innovation. The ISII defines social impact as ‘the economic, social and environmental benefits delivered by an organisation to society’ and the Institute views social innovation as any new structure or process that enhances a society’s resources and cohesion. Crucially, the ISII is fully self-sustaining and sources its income entirely from external contracts/grants, with no core University funding provided. In this way it operates in the same manner as a socially innovative, entrepreneurial organisation.

About Us

Come to the University of Northampton and you will see that we do things a bit differently.

We are one of the youngest universities in the UK but we are already leading the way in adding value to society, which we call social impact. We have won multiple awards for our work in this area, among others, but what matters the most to us is ensuring that our students and graduates have the opportunity to make their mark on the world too. That’s why we were the first university in the UK to be named as a Changemaker Campus in 2012.

We want to break the mould of what Higher Education can be. This has led us to build a whole new University from the ground up that is designed to reflect the way that students actually learn rather than the way they are expected to learn. Waterside Campus opened in September 2018.

Our commitment to transforming lives and inspiring change is at the heart of all that we do.

Right To Work

All candidates will be asked to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK at interview.

Equality

We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

The University of Northampton is committed to providing a vibrant, ethical and sustainable work, study and living environment that values equality, diversity and inclusion.

This commitment, along with our legal and moral obligations, provides an inclusive environment for staff, students and the public who may be affected by our activities.

Together @ UON confirms our commitment to equality and inclusion, underpinned by our belief in taking action. We are dedicated to creating an environment that celebrates equality and harnesses the power of diversity.

Together @ UON demonstrates our pledge to our staff, students and partners to nurture and develop an environment where equality and inclusion can thrive whilst we Transform Lives and Inspire Change

To find out more, please visit: https://www.northampton.ac.uk/about-us/governance-and-management/management/equality-and-diversity/