Research Associate, Academic, Research Scientist

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The University of Sheffield provides a pay range; your actual pay will depend on your skills and experience. The university offers a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pension scheme, flexible working opportunities, commitment to development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and more.

The range is provided by the university and your starting salary will be based on your experience.

This post is for an outstanding research associate in psychology, sociology, politics, history, disability studies, medical humanities or related subjects. The post-holder will conduct research on the project ‘Rebuilding lives, redefining belonging: ex‑soldiers, their families and communities in post‑war Africa, 1945‑60’, focusing on political engagement, physical and mental health, and everyday life under colonialism. The role includes archival research, oral histories, digital humanities methods, and knowledge‑exchange projects in Senegal, the UK and elsewhere.

• Carry out approximately 40 oral history interviews with descendants and their families, including coding of the transcripts.
• Support the project in compiling a database of historical records, including training OCR software and developing coded content and descriptive metadata.
• Support the technical team in reviewing, testing, refining, and providing feedback on the development of the project's search and discovery tools, data visualisations and other web user interfaces.
• Manage data collection and storage on a day‑to‑day basis.
• Take a lead role in analysing data with support from the Project Lead and in consultation with other stakeholders.
• Assure ethical approval and conduct of the research.
• Contribute to project team meetings, both internally and with stakeholders and advisory bodies.
• Develop knowledge exchange and impact activities connected to the project.
• Present work in progress to the project team and at events and conferences independently and as part of the team.
• Disseminate project updates and findings through academic and non‑academic publications and presentations.
• Conduct research of international standing, including identifying literature and updating your knowledge to contribute to your field.
• Write up research work and disseminate findings through publication in high quality journals and presentations at seminars and conferences.
• Travel for research and to events to attend conferences.
• Engage in ethical decision‑making and embed the university sustainability strategy into your work.
• Participate in administrative processes of the School, including committee membership.
• Contribute to the School and Faculty’s knowledge exchange and civic engagement agenda.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Our diverse community recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly, we encourage you to apply.

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in the relevant field.
• Demonstrable track record of research specialism in psychology, history, sociology, Francophone studies, international relations, medical humanities, or related fields.
• Native or near‑native fluency in written and spoken French.
• Proven ability to carry out high quality research and disseminate findings.
• Demonstrable track record of quality peer‑reviewed publications.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal; report‑writing skills and experience delivering presentations.
• Good computer literacy and data management practices.
• Ability to work within a team and independently.
• Strategic and innovative thinking.
• Planning and prioritising own work and forward‑planning.
• Ability to organise and run conferences and workshops for academic and non‑academic audiences.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Commitment to promoting and embedding equality, diversity & inclusion principles and practices.

• Previous experience of outreach and public engagement.
• Creative problem‑solving skills.
• Experience working and researching in West Africa.
• Knowledge of Wolof, Pulaar, Serere or Jola.

• Salary: £38,784 per annum
• Duration:
  Fixed Term 44 months from 1 April 2026 to 30 November 2029
• Hours of work per week:
  Full time
• Contact:
  Cristina Molina‑Hall, HPDH School manager –
• Closing Date: 05/01/2026