College of Arts & Humanities

School of Critical Studies

Research Associate

Vacancy Ref: 180594

Salary, Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum

The School of Critical Studies seeks to appoint a Research Associate to make a leading contribution to a Leverhulme Trust Research Project, ‘A Mutual Fascination: British horror and the psy disciplines, c.1955-present’ working with PI Dr Gavin Miller (University of Glasgow) and co-I Dr Timothy Jones (University of Stirling). The project investigates the relationship between the psy disciplines and horror fiction in post-war British culture, examining horror fiction across different media, including print, cinema, TV, and image-text. As well as working with published sources, including digitised and print newspaper collections, the project employs archival sources relating to psychological, media, and literary history.

The successful candidate will travel within the UK in the course of conducting archival research and will also be required to be physically resident within a reasonable commuting distance of the University. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 30th September 2027, with the post holder available to commence 1st October 2025.

Visit our website for further information on the University of Glasgow’s School of Critical Studies: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/critical/

Informal Enquiries should be directed to Dr Gavin Miller, Gavin.Miller@glasgow.ac.uk

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Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution to a Leverhulme Trust Research Project, ‘A Mutual Fascination: British horror and the psy disciplines, c.1955-present’ working with PI Dr Gavin Miller (University of Glasgow) and co-I Dr Timothy Jones (University of Stirling). The project investigates the relationship between the psy disciplines and horror fiction in post-war British culture, examining horror fiction across different media, including print, cinema, TV, and image-text. As well as working with published sources, including digitised and print newspaper collections, the project employs archival sources relating to psychological, media, and literary history. The successful candidate will travel within the UK in the course of conducting archival research and will also be required to be physically resident within a reasonable commuting distance of the University. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 30th September 2027, with the post holder available to commence 1st October 2025.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project research strategy.

2. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting papers, articles, and book chapters as appropriate.

3. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow and School of Critical Studies, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic and societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

4. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project and subject area, and develop and implement a suitable research strategy.

5. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

6. Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.

7. Take the lead in public engagement and knowledge exchange arising from the project’s research methods and results.

8. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the project, including Budgets/Expenditure.

9. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the project’s area.

10. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

11. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School.

12. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Knowledge/ Qualifications 

Essential 

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) in a relevant humanities Subject (including English Literature, Film and TV Studies, Media Studies, Medical Humanities, History, or a cognate area) plus a track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.

A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area.

Desirable 

B1 Knowledge of a research specialism relevant to the project’s area, such as horror or gothic studies, genre fiction (including film and TV), popular culture, history of the psy disciplines.

B2 Expertise in twentieth-century and/or contemporary cultural history.

B3 Knowledge of published and archival collections relevant to the project.

Skills 

Essential 

C1 Well-developed working knowledge of research methods, technical models, equipment and techniques relevant to the project/discipline as outlined in the Job Purpose

C2 Excellent communication skills [oral and written], including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely

C3 Excellent interpersonal skills including team-working and a collegiate approach

C4 Appropriate workload, time, and budget management skills

C5 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate

C6 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

C7 Flexibility and adaptability in research topics and methods

Desirable 

D1 Ability to process large volumes of primary material within a limited time frame

D2 Research creativity and cross-disciplinary collaborative ability

Experience 

Essential 

E1 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

E2 A developing track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences

E3 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities

E4 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral  experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher

Desirable 

F1 Experience in knowledge exchange and public engagement

F2 Experience of archival research

F3 Experience of co-authoring research outputs

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 30th September 2027.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.