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PhD position within the DARE ITN/Marie Curie project (ESR 4), University of Iceland's Centre for Disability Studies

Introduction 

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

Field of work 

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 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, http://www.nuigalway.ie/centre-disability-law-policy/research/projects/current/dare/ (DARE website)

The position concerns: ESR 4: Voices in Reproductive Rights: Gender and Disability.

Academic supervisor: Professor Rannveig Traustadóttir (University of Iceland). Co-supervisor: Professor Eiliónoir Flynn (National University of Ireland, Galway)

Non-academic co-supervisor: An-Sofie Leenknecht (European Disability Forum, Brussels).

The objectives of this research project are as follows:

  • To explore the reproductive decision-making rights and family rights in the context of disability.
  • To examine the ways in which the voices of women with disabilities are either absent or not respected when it comes to reproductive rights and establishing family life.
  • To combines the social science approach of disability studies and the human rights approach of law to explore the absence of the women’s voices and how they can be made present, and the extent to which voice is absent in law and what legal reforms are needed.
  • To empower and place the voices of those directly affected in the centre.
  • To develop practical recommendations for policy and legal changes will be developed as well as recommendations for change in the culture and practices in reproductive health and family rights.

Planned secondments: a period of 3-4 months (e.g. one semester) is proposed at the National University of Ireland, Galway. One or more period of secondment for collaborative research is proposed with European Disability Forum (EDF) in Brussels. Further information here

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.
Qualification requirements 

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 is available here

For information on moving to Iceland please see here

Application process 

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:
1.    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);
2.    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;
3.    A detailed curriculum vitae, including – if applicable – relevant publications;
4.    Certified Transcripts of results of master’s degree in relevant discipline (with certified translation for languages other than English, Dutch, German or French);
5.    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);
6.    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.
 

Application deadline 

Closing date for receipt of applications is 23.59 on 14 March 2019. 
Interviews are provisionally scheduled for 8 - 17 April 2019.

Further information 

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 more 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.

Expires 
Thursday, 14 March 2019