[URBANTH-L] UK Postdoc: Exploring Intergenerational Relations Amongst African Migrants to Britain and France

[Angela Jancius]

British Academy project,

"Exploring Intergenerational Relations Amongst African Migrants to Britain 
and France"

Research Associate (fixed term 12 months from 1 September 2008)
Application Details: http://lssi.leeds.ac.uk/news/25

Closing Date:  June 19, 2008

Applications are invited for a fixed term appointment as a Research 
Associate to work on a British Academy funded project on 'Exploring 
Intergenerational Relations Amongst African Migrants to Britain and France' 
with Dr Joanne Cook (LSSI) and Dr Louise Waite (Geography).
With a PhD or close to obtaining one, or having equivalent research 
experience in a relevant academic field, you should have experience of 
qualitative fieldwork. A research background in one or more of the following 
areas is essential: Migration / Family and/or intergenerational 
relationships / Ethnicity / Postcolonial studies. You should have experience 
of qualitative research, excellent communication skills and the capacity to 
work to deadlines. You will be aware of public and academic debates in the 
field of migration and settlement/integration, and of the sensitivities and 
ethical issues related to working with diverse ethnic and faith groups and 
of working with interpreters. Travel to and from various locations to 
conduct research with recording equipment and a willingness to work flexible 
hours on occasion during the working week (in line with fieldwork 
requirements) are also essential.

University Grade 6 (£23,002 - £27,466p.a.) The appointment will be made at 
or below £24,403 p.a. since there are funding limitations which dictate the 
level at which the appointment can start.

Information about Leeds Social Sciences Institute (LSSI) and the project can 
be found at http://www.lssi.leeds.ac.uk/ .
Informal enquiries to Joanne Cook, email j.m.cook at leeds.ac.uk or Louise 
Waite, email l.waite at leeds.ac.uk

To apply on line please visit http://www.leeds.ac.uk and click on 'jobs'. 
Application packs are also available from Anne Prendergast, tel +44 (0)113 
343 7393, email a.prendergast at leeds.ac.uk   Job ref 318022. Closing date 19 
June 2008. It is anticipated that interviews will be held in Leeds on 
Tuesday 1 July 2008.

Job Description:  You will be responsible for the majority of the fieldwork 
for the project. This will involve community outreach, organising, 
conducting and analysing key informant interviews, focus groups and 
biographical intergenerational interviews with 30 participants. This is a 
comparative project between Britain and France (the French study is to be 
carried out separately) so you will be involved in collaborative work 
between the two teams and responsible for preparing comparative documents.

The post will be supervised by Dr Joanne Cook and Dr Louise Waite. Dr Cook 
and Dr Waite will collaborate with you in the data analysis.
It is expected that you will have a postgraduate degree in a relevant 
academic subject or relevant experience as a Research Assistant. Experience 
of qualitative research and good communication skills are essential.

The duties of the post will include:

. Carry out a systematic review of literature and migration policy under the 
guidance of the PI.
. Lead the community outreach phase of the research.
. Co-ordinate and carry out the interviews and assist with the focus groups 
with participants in the Yorkshire region.
. Support the design of the family case studies and carry out the majority 
of the interviews.
. Perform administrative duties in relation to the project, including 
managing the project web-site and updates on the project's progress.
. Support in the coding and analysis of data (under supervision, as part of 
a team).
. Liaising with other members of the team based in France.
. Managing the project data-base and organising and liaising with 
interpreters and transcribers.
. Contribute to research reports/publications arising from the project.
. Involvement in the presentation of findings of the research.
. Participate in internal and external events including local, national and 
international events as required by the PI of the project.
. Input ideas and determine your own day to day operation within agreed 
parameters of the project.
. Any other reasonable duties in relation to the project as specified by the 
PI.

Essential Qualifications:
. A research background in one or more of the following areas:
-Migration
-Family and/or intergenerational relationships
-Ethnicity
-Postcolonial studies
. Hold a PhD or be close to obtaining a PhD or have equivalent research 
experience in a relevant academic field (e.g. Geography; Sociology; Social 
Policy, Anthropology, African Studies, Development Studies).
. Demonstrate an awareness of public and academic debates in the field of 
migration and settlement/integration.
. Demonstrate an awareness of the sensitivities and ethical issues related 
to working with diverse ethnic and faith groups and working with 
interpreters.
. Experience of qualitative fieldwork, including conducting and analysing 
interviews/focus groups.
. Excellent report writing and editing skills.
. Excellent time management and organisation skills.
. Excellent communication skills, including written.
. Ability to work with colleagues from diverse disciplines and in 
multi-disciplinary international teams.
. Be able to work independently, under pressure and to deadlines.
. Be willing to travel to and from various locations to conduct research 
with recording equipment.
. Demonstrate a willingness to work flexible hours on occasion during the 
working week (in line with fieldwork requirements).

Desirable Qualifications:
. Proven interdisciplinary research skills.
. Fluency in French.
. Experience of working in an ethnically diverse field environment.
. Previous experience of working with Africans.