Postdoctoral Research Position

The School of Law, Trinity College Dublin, invites applications for a prestigious European Research Council-funded post for a postdoctoral research fellow. This role will be of interest to graduates of social sciences, socio-legal studies, law (particularly human rights law), and psychology (and related disciplines), with skills in empirical research.

POIRE (Prison Oversight: Improving Rights in Europe) is a research project funded by the European Research Council’s Proof of Concept Scheme. The postdoctoral research fellow will work on a ground-breaking study on the protection of rights in prison through international monitoring. The project seeks to bring research directly to policy and practice with a view to creating a training and support programme for people in prison, prison staff and prison administrators. The researcher will be given support and mentoring to develop their skills and manage their career development. The project and funding ends on June 30th 2025. The proposed start date is March 1 2024.

Standard Duties and Responsibilities of the Post

POIRE seeks to promote better engagement with the international prison monitoring body the CPT in two European states. POIRE will provide training and support for state officials (prison staff and managers) to respond more effectively to prison monitoring. POIRE will also create a programme to raise awareness amongst people in prison of the CPT and support their engagement with that body. POIRE will identify awareness levels of the CPT, support governments to prepare better response reports to the CPT, promote awareness of and engagement with the CPT and disseminate its findings, with a key focus on making recommendations for policy change. As a Proof of Concept award, POIRE will develop a not-for-profit enterprise to implement its programmes around the world.

The successful candidate will undertake rigorous research, including the creation of research instruments such as surveys and interview guides and data analysis. The successful candidate will be required to form good and professional relationships with those supporting and taking part in the research, including people in prison, prison staff, senior prison managers and those who work in prison monitoring. The successful candidate will be required to develop training and briefing materials for people in prison, prison staff, prison administrators and prison monitors. The successful candidate will support the development of future entities to continue POIRE’s training and support programmes.

The successful candidate will also be expected to actively contribute to the following activities:

• Presenting work to academic and non-academic audiences;
• Organising workshops and seminars;
• Liaising and maintaining positive relations with relevant parties;
• Undertaking all necessary reporting;
• Attending all project meetings.

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a PhD in in law, social sciences, criminology, psychology, political science or a related discipline.

Knowledge & Experience

The successful candidate will have the following knowledge and experience:

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience of independent research
• Track record of sharing findings commensurate with career stage
• Experience of, and commitment to, disseminating findings beyond academic outlets, for example through policy engagement, briefing papers, or submissions to national or international bodies
• Experience of organising workshops

Desirable:

• Experience of developing training/support materials or consultancy
• Experience of training others
• Experience of evaluation
• Knowledge or practice experience of working with people in detention/in settings where human rights may be at risk and/or with senior officials and administrators
• Experience of making applications for ethical approval

Skills and Competencies

The successful candidate will have:

Essential:

• Highly developed skills of qualitative research
• Excellent oral and written academic skills and a commitment to publishing high-quality research
• Excellent inter-personal skills and ability to work with a wide variety of partners to ensure a successful research project
• High levels of commitment and self-motivation
• Excellent ability to manage research projects
• Excellent time management skills
• Willingness and ability to travel within Europe as required
• English language certification if English is not the first language, the required being: IELTS: 7.0+, TOEFL iBT: 100+, TOEFL pBT: 600+, CEF: C1+, or equivalent.

Desirable

• Skills in quantitative research
• High levels of competence in a language other than English which is used by the CPT
• Skills in using quantitative research methods software packages
• Skills in evaluation
• Skills in training/support/consultancy

Further Information for Applicants

Informal enquiries can be sent to Dr. Mary Rogan via email mary.rogan@tcd.ie

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit a single document including a full Curriculum Vitae detailing qualifications and experience to include the names and contact details of 3 referees (including email addresses), and a cover letter that specifically addresses the application procedure set out above. Interviews will take place in Dublin or via Zoom shortly thereafter. Appointment will be effective as soon as possible after the end of the interview process, with an ideal start date of March 2024. All applicants must possess the necessary immigration requirements allowing them to study in Ireland and travel within the European Union. The closing date is 12 noon, IST, Friday, 2 February 2024.

• Applications will only be accepted to this email address: prila@tcd.ie
• If you have application queries, please contact Dr. Mary Rogan, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin by telephone: +353 1 8964271, or by email mary.rogan@tcd.ie