Postdoctoral Researcher for HuRiEE project
Grade 7: £38,674 - £46,913 per annum
Reporting to the Principal Investigator of the HuRiEE project, Dr Agnieszka Kubal, the post holder is a member of a research group with responsibility for conducting large-scale quantitative research on human rights mobilisation in Eastern Europe. The role will involve coordinating a large-scale survey (N=4,000) in Hungary, Romania, Poland, and Ukraine to examine comparative human rights consciousness. The researcher will also contribute to the analysis of qualitative data collected in earlier project phases, producing high-quality publications in leading socio-legal journals.
The successful candidate will design, pilot, and implement a large-scale survey on human rights consciousness, ensuring methodological rigour. Adapt existing and develop new research methodologies to enhance the project's analytical framework; identify, liaise with, and oversee local pollster companies to conduct the survey in Hungary, Romania, Poland, and Ukraine; supervise and quality-control the survey implementation to ensure the collection of reliable, high-quality data; analyse quantitative survey data and contribute to at least two high-quality publications in leading socio-legal journals and integrate and analyse qualitative data collected in previous project phases, authoring and co-authoring additional research papers. Prepare working theories and analyse qualitative and quantitative data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining theories as appropriate
Candidates should hold or be close to completion of a relevant PhD/DPhil in socio-legal studies, political science, sociology, human rights, or a related field together with relevant experience; have expertise and experience in survey design, quantitative research methods, and advanced statistical analysis; experience in managing large-scale data collection projects and working with external research partners; a strong track record (or potential) of publishing in high-quality journals; familiarity with qualitative research methodologies and ability to integrate quantitative and qualitative analysis and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to work within established research programmes.
HuRiEE treats human rights mobilisation as a window into the broader societies. It asks: How does claims-making before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) shape the lives of individuals and the development of societies in Eastern Europe and Russia? The ultimate ambition for this project is to develop a brand-new theory of the relationship between human rights mobilisation, ECtHR's legitimacy, and the development of societies under the conditions of 'abusive constitutionalism' (Russia), open military conflict (Ukraine), deep transformations (Romania) and democratic backsliding (Hungary) and transition to rule-of-law (Poland).
This post is full time and fixed term for 24 months with the starting date no later than 1 September 2025. The postholder will be based at the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, Manor Road, Manor Road Building, OX1 3UQ and will be required to be in the office for a minimum of 3 days a week during term time.
Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via Oxford University website You will be required to submit a covering letter and CV as part of your application.
Closing date for applications is midday on Monday 31 March 2025 . Interviews will take place week commencing 28 April 2025
Candidates should submit by email 1 item of written work, published or unpublished. The work should be sent in a single email in one pdf file to the Faculty HR Team, recruitment@law.ox.ac.uk by midday on Monday 31 March 2025.
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to arrange for two references to be submitted before the interviews take place.
Deadline date for applications: Midday on 31 March 2025