Research Fellow (Decent Work) - (7479)

Fellowship Opportunity: Decent Work and Productivity

Decent Work and Productivity Research Centre at Manchester Metropolitan: 

The Decent Work and Productivity Research Centre at Manchester Met comprises a multi-disciplinary group of researchers with backgrounds in Human Resource Management (HRM), Business Psychology, Leadership and Management, Work and Equalities, Employment Relations and Social Policy. Guided by our vision “to identify what causes - and who has - decent and productive work, and what can be done to shape a bright future for the world of work”, we attract funding from prestigious funders including the ESRC, NIHR, Nuffield Foundation, Leverhulme Trust, and through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) to support our research activities. This research has been translated into an excellent track-record of real-world impact, for example our highly rated REF 2021 impact case study on changing employment and practice in adult social care, our regular engagement with parliamentary committees and government departments, and close partnership working with a wide range of policy and practice organisations who share our commitment to decent and productive work.

Our researchers have expertise working across a wide range of areas, including health and well-being, active labour market policy, employee voice and entrepreneurship. Our current work includes projects focused on understanding improving conditions in social care, addressing the under-representation of ethnic minority employees in social housing leadership positions, supporting women's health at work, and engaging with employers and supporting progression through Universal Credit.

Our Centre predominantly focusses on making a real-world impact on the following themes:

• Labour market transitions, skills and employability (including welfare reform, active labour market policy, graduate employability and vocational training)
• Health and well-being at work
• Creating decent and productive work (including employment charters and good line management)
• Employee voice, industrial relations and trade unions
• Equalities in work, training and education (including self-employment and entrepreneurship)
• Business psychology

About the role: 

• To undertake world-leading and internationally excellent research using latest and innovative methodologies, as relevant in your area of research. 

• To prepare, present and publish research outputs through the appropriate forums e.g. research workshops, conferences, seminars, exhibitions, portfolios, academic journals etc. 

• To develop ideas for generating income to ensure the continued success and growth of research portfolio.  

• To disseminate findings of research widely to further the institution's standing in the HE and research community and strengthen the impact of the research.

• To engage in scholarly activities conducive to a long-term successful academic career that will support and enhance the research culture within the Department/ School, Faculty and University.

About the candidate: 

You will bring an excellent track-record of applied research, working with local, national and international partners to create viable real-world solutions for both policy and practice. 

Requirements: 

• Doctoral level qualification in a related research area. 

• Possess breadth or depth of specialist knowledge and demonstrate potential for research independence.

• Excellent track record of relevant research outputs. 

• Significant research experience in the chosen field of research, which should include where appropriate: 
  • leading the work of a team, co-ordinating effort and resources to meet objectives 
  • developing partnerships within the University and with external agencies  
  • preparing funding proposals and applications to external bodies 
  • using initiative, creativity and judgement to develop appropriate approaches to research 
  • synthesising complex data from different sources and communicating findings via written reports and articles 
  • presenting at national and/or international research meetings 
  • supervising student work and providing appropriate support and feedback. 

• Experience of managing and monitoring performance of research projects in multi-disciplinary teams.

• Ability to manage projects involving academic institutions and funding bodies. 

Please refer to the Job Description & Person Specification for a full list of essential & desirable criteria. 

Academic Contact: Dr Katy Jones (katy.jones@mmu.ac.uk) or Professor Carol Atkinson (c.d.atkinson@mmu.ac.uk) to discuss the fellowship opportunity in detail. 

Application Process: 

To apply to the Fellowship, please provide the following documents: 

• Research Interest Statement (no more than two sides of A4, font size 11, 2 cms margin): Statement should include your long-term career aspirations, how your research till date and plans to develop and contribute towards your research interest in the future will impact the University's Research Strategy whilst working with an existing team of researchers.  

• Research Proposal (no more than four sides of A4, font size 11, 2 cm margins): Kindly provide a research proposal focused on a specific topic within the research faculty you are applying for. The proposal should be accompanied by a Gantt chart outlining a 3-year research timeline.  

• Curriculum Vitae (include details of your education, citizenship, publications, funding, employment history & names of referees) 

Please note that panels will not consider attachments that fall outside of the limits, where specified. 

We aim to offer up to a maximum of 15 fellow appointments, for which we will be assessing applicants competitively across the four faculties that are welcoming applications. 

Assessment Timelines: 

• The application window will be available for 8 weeks and will close on 29 May 2024
• Interviews will be held on-site in Manchester (where practical) in the w/c 17 and 24 June 2024
• We aim to make offers to successful candidates in the w/c 03 July 2024

Enquiries:  

If you haven't found your specific area of research, please click here to sign up to our job alerts. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on researchfellowships@mmu.ac.uk   

Manchester Met University is committed to creating an intentionally inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We understand the importance of having a diverse workforce and the benefits it can bring to ensuring diversity of thought and innovation in everything we do. We, therefore, encourage applications from our local and international communities, in particular people from ethnic minority groups, disabled people and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.    

We recognise the benefits and importance of an environment that supports flexible working and are open to conversations about this throughout the application process.  

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