 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |  |  |
 |
Services & Supports
Human Resources
DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED SOCIAL STUDIES
CENTRE FOR YOUTH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER – HALF-TIME
(Two-Year Contract Post)
The National University of Ireland Maynooth
Following two centuries of internationally renowned scholarly activity on the Maynooth campus the National University of Ireland, Maynooth was established under the 1997 Universities Act as an autonomous member of the federal structure known as the National University of Ireland. With approximately 6,500 fulltime students and another 3,500 registered as part-time NUI Maynooth has 26 Academic Departments which are organized into three Faculties: Arts, Celtic Studies and Philosophy; Science and Engineering, and Social Sciences. Building on a tradition of scholarship and excellence in all aspects of its teaching and learning, and research activities, within the liberal arts and sciences tradition NUI Maynooth is committed to being a first class research-led centre of learning and academic discovery. It is located on a pleasant university campus in Ireland’s only university town 20km west of Dublin, and has recently undergone a major phase of expansion in research, teaching and service facilities. The spacious campus is laid out in its own extensive grounds in rural surroundings, and is divided between an older complex of fine nineteenth century buildings and a modern complex of teaching, research, accommodation, and support facilities.
Department of Applied Social Studies
The Department of Applied Social Studies at NUI Maynooth is Ireland’s longest established centre of professional education and training in youth work and community work, offering BA and MA programmes on both a full-time and part-time in-service basis. It also teaches the subject of Social Policy on the BSocSc degree programme, and offers the MSocSc in Rights and Social Policy. The Department currently has almost 400 students.
In addition to its teaching commitments, the Department of Applied Social Studies has an expanding programme of research in youth work/youth studies, community work/community studies and Irish and European social policy. For more information visit: http://appliedsocialstudies.nuim.ie/
Centre for Youth Research and Development
The Centre for Youth Research and Development within the Department is directed by Dr. Maurice Devlin. In addition to pursuing the research and scholarly interests of departmental staff, the Centre conducts a range of research projects which are commissioned, funded or otherwise supported by external organisations and agencies. Recent and current partners and funders include the European Commission, the National Youth Council of Ireland, Youth Work Ireland, Kildare Youth Services, Combat Poverty Agency/Department of Social Protection, Youth Advocate Programmes Ireland and the Football Association of Ireland. The Centre has extensive links with international partners, for example through the Research Committee on Youth of the International Sociological Association and as part of a consortium developing an MA in European Youth Studies (www.youthstudies.eu).
National partnerships include the journal Youth Studies Ireland, an all-Ireland peer reviewed journal supported by a number of major youth organisations and academic institutions and published by the Irish Youth Work Centre: http://www.iywc.com/iywc_publications.htm
The Candidate
The person appointed will play a coordinating role in a research project focusing on programme and project evaluation, and will participate directly in research design, data collection, analysis and interpretation as well as in report writing and dissemination. S/he will work closely with other departmental research staff and participate as appropriate in departmental activities.
Applicants should hold a PhD degree in a relevant social science discipline and should demonstrably possess a high level of competence in both qualitative and quantitative research methods as well as expertise in at least one of these. Applicants should also have significant experience and ability in programme coordination and administration and a record of writing to publishable standards. Relevant experience of evaluation research, particularly with a focus on youth and social inclusion, will be an advantage.
Other requirements include:
- An ability to meet tight deadlines;
- Very good skills of analysis and communication;
- Well developed interpersonal, organisational and administrative abilities;
- A high degree of computer literacy;
- A willingness to work outside usual office hours;
- As the work will involve regular travel, access to a car and a clean driving licence are required.
In addition to the above, candidates will be at an advantage if they can demonstrate an understanding of social policy in general and a knowledge and awareness of key contemporary developments and issues relating to young people and youth policy in particular.
Salary
Post Doctorate Researcher: €18,875 p.a.
Informal Enquiries
Informal enquiries may be made to Dr. Maurice Devlin
Email: maurice.devlin@nuim.ie
Tel: +353 1 708 3781
Application Procedure
Applications should be made by sending the following information to maurice.devlin@nuim.ie. Please ensure that you include the words ‘Postdoctoral Researcher’ in the subject line:
- A Curriculum Vitae, including a sample of your written work
- A Covering Letter addressing your suitability for the post.
- The names and contact details for three referees whom the university may contact).
The completed application documents should be forwarded by email to arrive no later than 5pm, Friday 13th April 2012.
NUI Maynooth is an equal opportunities employer.
The position is subject to the Statutes of the University.