Postdoctoral Researcher

Location: Aston University Main Campus

Contract Type: Fixed Term (36 months)

Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Sunday 30 July 2023

Interview Date: To be confirmed

The Department of Sociology and Social Policy at Aston university are looking to recruit a researcher with expertise in media and cultural studies, media and creative industries and/or television. This is an exciting opportunity to work on the 3-year AHRC-funded project ‘ReCARE TV: Reality Television, working practices and duties of care’. The project seeks to consider the interrelations between production, participation and policy in the UK’s reality television (RTV) sector in order to produce a framework for an ethics of care. The successful candidate will work closely with the PI Professor Helen Wood and the project team (Dr Jilly Kay at Leicester University and Dr Jack Newsinger at Nottingham University). 

An expertise in creative labour, television industries and/or the feminist politics of care would be an advantage, however we will consider applicants with a range of expertise in Media and Cultural Studies and Sociology. The postholder will contribute to the success of the research project and work closely with the project partners: DCMS select committee, Bectu and Equity. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the PI on project management, working closely on the work package on Policy, and maintaining relationships with external partners and wider industry stakeholders. 

Working as an integral part of the project team, you will need experience of working with qualitative data, while a knowledge of policy analysis would also be an advantage. You will hold a PhD (or be close to completion) in Media and Cultural Studies, Sociology or a related discipline. You will demonstrate excellent organisational and interpersonal skills and have evidence of high-quality publications. You will be supported in the development of your research career: with research skills, research management skills, as well as with producing high-quality publications. You will gain experience of working with a project team and with fostering relationships with external partners towards knowledge-exchange and impact generation. 

The post is available on a full-time basis from 1 October 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter – (part-time working may be considered).

If you would like further information and an opportunity to discuss the role, please contact: Professor Helen Wood [email protected] .

Further details:   

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