Application deadline March 14, 2019
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time fixed term position as a Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher (PhD researcher) at the Centre for Disability Studies, School of Social Sciences, University of Iceland. This position is funded by the European Commission and is available from 1 September 2019 to contract end date of 31 August 2022.
The Centre for Disability Studies was established in 2006. It is dedicated to research in the broad field of disability with an emphasis on interdisciplinary scholarship including social, cultural, historical and human rights approaches. More information can be viewed here.
The successful candidate will be appointed as an Early Stage Researcher (PhD researcher) within the DARE Marie Curie Initial Training Network project funded by the European Union. DARE, Disability Advocacy Research in Europe, is co-ordinated by the http://www.nuigalway.ie/centre-disability-law-policy/ Centre for Disability Law and Policy at the National University of Ireland, Galway, with the collaboration of 7 partner institutions: the Institute for Social and Political Sciences (Portugal), Maastricht University (Netherlands), University of Leeds (UK), the European Disability Forum, the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities, the University of Iceland and Swiss Paraplegic Research.
The primary aim of DARE is to equip a new generation of researchers to respond to global challenges facing persons with disabilities and policy makers. Its goal is to give legitimacy, through research, to the lived experience of persons with disabilities, as a basis for law reform. Fifteen Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) will be recruited across the network and will explore and develop recommendations for disability law and policy reform in light of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. DARE is an interdisciplinary research project – all ESRs will receive training in at least two disciplines related to disability rights – and all ESR projects are designed to be interdisciplinary in scope. All of the researchers will also have the opportunity to gain invaluable and funded work experience with leading civil society and public service organisations.
For more information, see http://www.nuigalway.ie/centre-disability-law-policy/research/projects/current/dare/ (DARE website)
The position concerns: ESR 2: Voices of Women with Disabilities in the Context of Gender-Based Violence.
Academic supervisor: Professor Rannveig Traustadóttir (University of Iceland). Co-supervisor: Professor Anna Lawson (University of Leeds).
Non-academic co-supervisor: Susie Balderston at Vision Sense (UK).
The objectives of this research project are as follows:
- To explore the absence of the voices of women with disabilities in gender-based violence.
- Combine the social science approach of disability studies and legal perspective to explore the absence of the women’s voices in policy-making, practice and the legal process.
- To gain an in-depth insight through qualitative research about the actual experiences of women with disabilities in the context of detection, investigation and prosecution of gender-based violence directed against them. To develop practical recommendations to empower and enhance the voices of woman with disabilities in such processes.
Planned secondments: a period of 3-4 months (e.g. one semester) is proposed at the University of Leeds. One or more period of secondment for collaborative research is proposed with Vision Sense, UK.
Duties:
- Complete a research proposal for the research project containing research objectives, description of research, methodology, proposed completion timeframe, originality of contribution and potential for societal impact.
- Develop a Personal Career Development Plan outlining training and support needs, and update this regularly based on training completed.
- Complete annual summaries of research findings for submission to the European Commission.
- Develop an Impact Action Plan to ensure the research achieves maximum societal impact and provide annual updates on steps taken to implement this plan.
- Disseminate and communicate the research findings to relevant stakeholders including disabled people and their representative organisations, public bodies, and other researchers.
- Prepare regular research updates for the DARE website and social media accounts.
- Participate in 5 network-wide training events in the course of the project and complete any additional training required to successfully carry out the research proposal.
Applicants must meet the Marie Curie definition of an early stage researcher, which is defined as applicants who have not yet been awarded a doctoral degree and are in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This includes the period of research training, starting at the date of obtaining the degree which would formally entitle them to embark on a doctorate.
Applicants must also meet the mobility requirements for Marie Curie fellows. Marie Curie Early Stage Researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up an appointment. At the time of selection, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (e.g. work, study etc.) in Iceland for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to the contract start date of 1 September 2019 (short stays such as holidays are not taken into account).
Applicants must also fulfil the entrance requirements for the PhD Programme in Disability Studies in the in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Iceland. To be eligible for admission to the PhD programme, a candidate must have obtained a master’s degree to honours standard (or equivalent international qualification). More information about Disability Studies at the University of Iceland is available here
Candidates should have excellent communication and organizational skills; be highly motivated and passionate about disability rights; and have strong documentation, oral and interpersonal skills.
Requirements:
- A relevant master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields (law, humanities, disability studies or social science)
- Familiarity with the rights of persons with disabilities and/or women.
- High scholarly abilities, as testified by previous academic record, particularly by the quality at masters-level thesis;
- Strong analytical capacity;
- Affinity with work in an interdisciplinary and highly international environment;
- Excellent and proven ability to work independently and use initiative.
Desirable Requirements:
- Experience in conducting qualitative research with marginalized groups.
- Ability to present research findings to a wide range of audiences including disabled people, public authorities, other researchers, etc.
- Ability to multi-task and work under pressure.
University of Iceland:
The University of Iceland is a dynamic academic community in which a diverse group of staff and students come together to create and communicate new ideas and solutions. It is important for the University to be an engaging and ambitious workplace that attracts talented staff and students in a competitive international environment. Emphasis is placed on a vibrant and family-friendly work environment, equality and opportunities for professional development.
Further information on working at the University of Iceland are available here.
For information on moving to Iceland please see here.
Salary:
The Early Stage Researcher will be employee of the University of Iceland appointed on a full-time temporary contract for a period of three years. The salary and terms of employment for this position will correspond to the provisions of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions including a salary of approximately €45,224 per annum, a Mobility allowance, and a Family allowance if applicable (inclusive of social charges and tax). These will be paid in Icelandic Króna, and will vary according to the rate of the Euro
Application procedure:
Completed application forms and supporting documentation should be sent, via e-mail to dareresearch@nuigalway.ie
Please refer to University of Iceland ESR 2 in subject line of e-mail application.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 23.59 on 14 March 2019.
Interviews are provisionally scheduled for 8 - 17 April 2019.
The following documents must be submitted:
Application form, including a research proposal, using the Central DARE application form on DARE homepage (no other form is needed for application to the PhD Programme in Disability Studies);
- A personal letter of motivation, indicating why you wish to conduct this research project, and why you expect that you will be able to complete the project successfully;
- A detailed curriculum vitae, including – if applicable – relevant publications;
- Certified Transcripts of results of master’s degree in relevant discipline (with certified translation for languages other than English, Dutch, German or French);
- Evidence of English proficiency (native speaker, having completed a master in the English language, the Academic IELTS certificate with a minimum score of 7.5, or an internet-based TOEFL certificate with a minimum score of 113);
- Two references from academic referees, using the form on dare homepage);
- It is the policy of the DARE ITN to promote equal opportunities between men and women and stimulate gender balance. Persons with disabilities are explicitly invited to apply.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 23.59 on 14 March 2019.
Interviews are provisionally scheduled for 8 - 17 April 2019.
For more information about DARE please contact dareresearch@nuigalway.ie
For more information about this position, please contact Professor Rannveig Traustadóttir, University of Iceland, Tel +354 525 4523/ +354 847 0728, E-mail rannvt@hi.is
For further information about the Centre for Disability Studies please see here.
For information about accessibility issues, including with regard to accommodations / adjustments at the interview stage, please contact Hrafnhildur V. Kjartansdóttir hvk@hi.is
Attachments
- Central DARE application form
- DARE-Academic-Reference-Form
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 814249.