The Research Associate will work as part of a small team of researchers on an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded study of police custody. The aim of the study is to rigorously examine what ‘good’ police custody is, taking into account recent shifts towards civilianisation and privatisation in how police custody is delivered. The study is a mixed-method project and will involve the collection of a variety of primary and secondary qualitative and quantitative data, including observational data, qualitative interviews, survey data and data from police records. Some of the quantitative data will be analysed using multi-level modelling and you will play a key role in collecting, analysing and writing up these data, in conjunction with colleagues. You will manage data collection and storage on a day-to-day basis, as well as assisting with the analysis of the data, the writing up of the research and the timely completion of the project. In performing these tasks, you will liaise closely with the Principal Investigator and Research Assistant, as well as with other academics in the School of Law, advisers and administrators. You may also be asked to act as Principal Investigator on the grant for up to four months, until the post holder returns from maternity leave. The post will involve some travel and overnight stays in the UK during the intensive phases of data collection, as well as occasional trips abroad to conferences.

You should hold a good first degree and a PhD in social science (or have equivalent experience) and have experience of collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data. Effective communication skills and experience of managing a research project over a significant period of time is essential.