Research Associate (Urbanisation and Population Ageing)

Applications are sought for 2 full time post-doctoral research associates (Grade 6) on the project "Urbanisation and Population Ageing: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Ageing in Place in Cities" under leadership of Dr Tine Buffel on a 5-year project funded by the Leverhulme Trust.

The Research

The aim of this project is to develop an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to understanding how  urban  environments  can  adapt  to  meet  the  needs  of  a  growing  and  increasingly  diverse ageing population. To do this theresearch will conduct a systematic examination of the processes and policy initiatives that shape the experience of ‘ageing in place’ for heterogeneous older populations in seven contrasting cities across the world (Akita [Japan], Bilbao [Spain], Brno [Czech Republic],  Brussels  [Belgium],  Manchester  [UK],  Quebec  [Canada].  The  research  will  apply  a mixed-methods   approach   drawing   upon   an   interdisciplinary,   cross-national   comparative framework. In addition, the programme will develop cutting edge ‘co-production’ methods to reach out  beyond  academia,  and  to  co-produce  knowledge  and  tools  in  order  to  enhance  policy  and public  debate  in  this  area.  The  programme  will  transform  current  research  on  the  relationship between ageing and urbanisation by addressing four objectives:

• Integrate interdisciplinary perspectives and empirical evidence in order to develop a new theoretical understanding of ageing in cities
• Examine patterns of population ageing across seven case study cities and explore similarities and differences in the ways in which cities have responded to demographic change
• Investigate the experience of ‘ageing in place’ among diverse populations (long-term residents, ageing migrants, gender, class) living in neighbourhoods undergoing demographic and urban change in diverse city contexts
• Develop a theoretical framework for assessing age-friendly initiatives

Overall Purpose of the Job:

• The postdoctoral research associates appointed will contribute to the development of the programme, liaise with project partners and international stakeholders, and be responsible for the day to day running of the research. Key responsibilities will include: Literature review work and background research; leading and conducting fieldwork in international settings; identifying potential collaborators and facilitating joint research with colleagues in the study cities; conducting analysis of data, preparing findings for publication; and engaging in dissemination activities for various academic and non-academic audiences.
• The research associates will be part of the Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group (MUARG) led by Tine Buffel. MUARG brings together researchers from a wide variety of disciplinary backgrounds and is committed working with national, regional and local government, third sector organisations, NGOs, and older people, to promote ‘age-friendly’ urban environments. The post-holders will be expected to contribute to the development this group, and contribute to attracting funding to support the group’s activities.
• MUARG is part of, and has close links to, the Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing (MICRA), a world-leading research centre carrying out research into fundamental questions of ageing, bringing together over 300 researchers from across the biological, medical, physical, and social sciences, the arts and humanities.
• The posts will be located within the Cathie Marsh Institute (CMI) and the Department of Sociology at the University of Manchester (or another relevant department in the School of Social Sciences).
• The post-holders will report to Tine Buffel but will be supported by subject-specific mentors.

Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities or Duties:

• To carry out international research based on the funded research programme focusing on urbanisation and population ageing
• To contribute to the development and management of the research programme (e.g. through contributing to the overall design of the project and leading on site specific research)
• To conduct primary and secondary analysis of qualitative and quantitative data
• To lead on, and contribute to, (group) writing of papers for refereed journals and other academic outputs
• To publicise the research programme, and engage in a wide range of academic and non-academic dissemination activities
• To develop methods of co-production to involve various project partners, members of the advisory board, and multiple academic and non-academic stakeholder groups (including policy-makers, international NGOs, and older people) in all phases of the research programme
• To maintain existing networks and develop new collaborations with international researchers and stakeholders in the case-study cities
• To develop joint research with colleagues based in the study cities
• To develop a framework for monitoring and evaluating age-friendly initiatives
• To contribute to the development of the Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group, as well as department and faculty seminars aimed at sharing research outcomes
• To contribute to writing research bids for external funding tosupport research and impact activities associated with the research programme
• To play an active role in the University of Manchester’s research community, and actively follow and promote policies, including Equal Opportunities
• To carry out any other duties commensurate with the grade and purpose of the post

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post and, as duties and responsibilities change/develop, the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post-holder.

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status.  All appointments will be made on merit.

Blended working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.