Co-ordinator, Postdoctoral Researcher Forum Maternity cover
Vacancy Ref VM19232
Deadline: Friday 7 September 2012, 12pm
Based at CRASSH
Part-time, 40%, 15 hours/week
Salary £27,578 pa pro rata
Limit of tenure: The funds for this post are available until 31/03/2013 or the return of the post holder, whichever is the earlier.
Further Details
The Postdoctoral Researcher Forum at CRASSH (PDRF) is a joint initiative of CRASSH and the Schools of the Humanities & Social Sciences and Arts & Humanities to support their postdoctoral community in Cambridge. The aim of the forum is to encourage interaction between researchers, to offer development opportunities through a series of targeted workshops and to provide a web resource to support the research interests and career development of members of the arts, humanities and social sciences postdoctoral research community in Cambridge.
With c. 500 postdoctoral researchers across the two Schools, the forum serves as a network that links School and University training and development provision for postdoctoral researchers via a programme of activities generated directly through the postdoc researcher community. The current programme includes a regular seminar series, targeted workshops, and a dedicated web resource and mailing list.
Working closely with the Careers Service and the University’s Centre for Personal and Professional Development (two posts designated specifically to the two Schools), the PDRF Co-ordinator will continue to develop complementary activities that focus on critical thinking, research facilitation and interdisciplinary collaboration. The role holder’s own active research interests will enable them to identify and devise practical themes and opportunities for exchange.
Main duties:
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Organise the programme of research seminars and/or workshops that provide a space for postdocs in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences to find new audiences for their work and share ideas across disciplinary boundaries.
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Co-ordinate a programme of career development workshops (three or four per term) that arise from the identified needs of this community, in liaison with colleagues in the Careers Service and CPPD. A list of previous events is available on the website.
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Maintain and develop the existing web resources and email lists.
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Gain a thorough knowledge of University and sector-wide developments on researcher development in the areas of transferable skills and the Concordat to support the career development of researchers.
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Deploy their own active research interests to identify the needs and issues pertinent to the postdoctoral community. Liaise with CRASSH and School Officers over progress and activities.
Person Specification
The successful applicant must have:
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A PhD in the the arts, social sciences or humanities as well as postdoctoral research experience and a continuing research interest of their own in one of these areas;
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Excellent communication skills, both oral and written and including good IT skills in order to maintain the website and mailing lists;
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Strong organisational skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team;
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An awareness of postdoctoral researchers' concerns in relation to their careers and professional development (around such issues as research ethics, employment rights, publications and research assessment, working in teams and finding appropriate mentors);
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A grounding in and enthusiasm for career and personal development for postdoctoral researchers.
How to Apply
The appointment is part-time, 15 hours per week and the start date will be 1 October 2012 or as soon as possible thereafter. Applications should be made via the online application system by the deadline of midday on Friday 7 September 2012 and should include:
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CV uploaded as a PDF
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A covering letter (typed into the field called Project Title) outlining suitability for the role and including a statement of your research interests.
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a completed form CHRIS 6, Parts 1 and 3 only for this application, uploaded as a pdf in the field Additional Information.
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Contact details of two referees who must submit their letters via the online system by the deadline.
For queries about eligibility or other aspects of the role, please contact the Administrator. For queries relating to the online application system, please contact Fellowships@crassh.cam.ac.uk. We regret that will will only contact shortlisted candidates. Interviews are planned for Thursday 20 September 2013.
Equal Opportunities Information
The University of Cambridge appoints solely on merit. No applicant for an appointment in the University, or member of staff once appointed, will be treated less favourably than another on the grounds of sex (including gender reassignment), marital or parental status, race, ethnic or national origin, colour, disability (including HIV status), sexual orientation, religion, age or socio-economic factors.
Information if you have a Disability
The University welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities. Our recruitment and selection procedures follow best practice and comply with disability legislation.
The University is committed to ensuring that applicants with disabilities receive fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. Adjustments will be made, wherever reasonable to do so, to enable applicants to compete to the best of their ability and, if successful, to assist them during their employment.
We encourage applicants to declare their disabilities in order that any special arrangements, particularly for the selection process, can be accommodated. Applicants or employees can declare a disability at any time.
Applicants wishing to discuss with or inform the University of any special arrangements connected with their disability can, at any point in the recruitment process, contact the Administrator, who is responsible for recruitment to this position, on Telephone: 01223 760490, or by post to CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, 7 West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DT.
Further Information
There is a range of information which you may find helpful on the University’s website: www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/. This includes applying for posts, working at the University, living in Cambridge and details of current vacancies.
