Postdoctoral Research Associate In Food Studies

Working at Durham University A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.
As one of the UK's leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career.
The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside.
Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.
We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world.
Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it's also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.
Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.
Our Purpose and Values We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background.
Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us?
- Information Page The Role and Department The School is one of the largest and most successful Schools of Modern Languages and Cultures in the UK.
Over the past two decades, the School has developed a distinctive profile in the transnational and interdisciplinary study of literary and cultural studies, bringing together culture research in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hispanic Studies, Italian, Japanese and Russian Studies.
Research activity of faculty and students extends from the medieval period to the present and embraces a range of theoretical and methodological orientations, covering a wide range of research activities in the School: medieval and early modern studies, the relationship between the sciences and the humanities, gender and sexuality studies, critical and cultural theory, the transnational study of literature, translation, and food studies.
Indeed, food studies, understood in its broad sense of an interdisciplinary approach to examine the cultural capital attached to food but also its sensory, material and experiential aspects- captures the intellectual curiosity that underpins the School's collective practice.
The School's forward-thinking research agenda was highlighted in its major conference 'Our Uncommon Ground', held in Durham in 2018, and a further conference 'Where Are We Now?
The Location of Modern Languages and Cultures' took place in April 2023.
These conferences brought together speakers from across the world to articulate and embrace the values of a discipline equipped to study cultures and their interactions in historical perspective.
The School has been awarded the lead of a Horizon Europe Cluster II grant in 2024 to examine the relationship between cultural heritage and foodway, and it is embarking in an exciting project to promote world-class research in the field supported by the School's leadership of research centres and institutes, such as the Centre for Visual Arts and Culture, the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies, the Centre for Culture and Ecology, the Institute of Medical Humanities, and the Institute of Advanced Study, which promotes world-class research across the Faculties.
Within the School, staff and postgraduates are brought together in interdisciplinary discussions and collaboration through a set of research groups.
The Role Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate with a PhD in the Humanities or Humanistic Social Sciences by January 2025.
This position is part of RELISH, a 36-month project funded by Horizon Europe Pillar II, Cluster 4 on Cultural Heritage 2024.
Led by the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at Durham University, RELISH (Re-framing European gastronomy Legacy through Innovation, Sustainability and Heritage), working with eleven other European partners, offers a pathway to put into practice culinary recipes and food culture as cultural and digital tools to strengthen EU's common cultural heritage.
Through an innovative and systematic approach to the understanding and use of traditional EU recipes via digital and AI-powered technology, it embarks on the production of a visual and verbal food storytelling web platform that aims to mediate social cohesion, reinforce EU cultural heritage transmission at home and abroad through education and public engagement, while addressing sustainable practices in the EU hospitality sector.
In addition to the doctoral degree in the required area, successful candidates should have a clear research agenda concerned with Food Studies, Social Justice, and/or Food Sustainability as well as experience with project management and event planning.
Experience in public and/or digital humanities is welcome but not required.
Key responsibilities: To assist the faculty Principal Investigator (PI) or Grant-holder in administering the project, acting as internal and external communication lead.
To work in the Dissemination, Exploitation and Communication (DEC) work package led by DU for the project under the direction of the PI or Grant-holder by generating and coordinating open-access digital content related to the project.
To participate in the scholarly work of the project by being capable to understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
To participate in the scheduled consortium meetings and organised events, supporting the overall project management and DEC work package, and to participate in events to build and sustain scholarly community around RELISH.
To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder, including reports and documents as part of the programmed deliverables and milestones for the project.
To edit and proofread documents prepared for submission to the EU as part of RELISH.
To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals related to tasks programmed for the grant and to conduct individual projects and participate in collaborative projects as part of RELISH under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
This post is fixed-term for 36 months, for the duration of the RELISH project, from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027.
The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague.
Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.
Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 2nd January 2025.
Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: • 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year - please include or delete if not applicable.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.
We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.
There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.
All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community • Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.
If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do.
We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct.
At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
It's important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.
We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.
If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application.
The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application.
The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Employer status.
If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.
We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
Contact Information Department contact for academic-related enquiries: School of Modern Languages and Cultures (MLAC), Professor H. Rosi Song - ****** Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email.
Please send your name along with abrief description of the problem you're experiencing ****** Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK.
This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time.
We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).
University contact for general queries about the recruitment process: ****** How to Apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below.
It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online.
We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system.
Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What to Submit All applicants are asked to submit: a CV and cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.
a writing sample (research article or dissertation chapter, maximum of 30 pages) a statement of contribution to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion that reflects the University's commitment to EDI and its equality objectives (https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/professional-services/equality-diversity-inclusion/) Next Steps Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department.
The assessment for the post will normally include a presentation to staff and students in the Department followed by an interview and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place virtually on 10 December 2024.
In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data.
We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
Person Specification Essential Criteria: Qualifications A good first degree in a Humanities or Social Science discipline A PhD (or be close to submission) in the Humanities or Humanistic Social Sciences or a related subject.
Experience Experience in conducting high quality academic research.
Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.
Demonstrable ability to present research papers at academic conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.
Experience in food studies, social justice, sustainability connected to foodways, and project management.
Skills Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Desirable Criteria - Experience Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career.
A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.
Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.
Experience in event planning Skills 14.
Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.
15.
Organisational skills and time-management skills