Graduation/Registration Assistant New

The candidate will complete Finite Element Simulations of composite structures under impact loading. The candidate will also write and modify codes for material models which can interact with Abaqus to predict material failure. 

No specific qualifications. However, the candidate would preferably be in Stage 4/pre-graduation (and have studied Mechanics of Aerospace Materials and CAE) or Stage 3 in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.

Experience of using Abaqus for simulation is essential. Experience of writing code and an understanding of carbon fibre composite materials would be desirable but not essential.

Project title: White Fertility - pro-natalism and the gender politics of ageing in an era of populism.  

PI - Dr Gemma Carney

This 8-week, part-time RA position is for a research assistant to work with Dr. Gemma Carney to undertake desk research to underpin the development of a proposal for a Special Issue on Gender, Politics and the demographic transition ? anti-migrant and pro-natalist approaches to ageing populations in Asia, Europe and America. The Research Assistant will work independently to scope out this field which is interdisciplinary, extending out from social policy and ageing across to gender studies, and area studies. 

The RA will spend 6 hours per week for 8 weeks gathering research, reading and reviewing relevant literature and researching relevant organisations which work on the topic. They will organise a webinar with these organisations (e.g. Hope Not Hate) and also contact some research leaders in the field about their interest in contributing to the Special Issue. 

Applicants must be available to work over the summer period. They must also have a strong track record in academic research at UG/PG level with a specific interest in demographic change/Far Right politics/gender politics/sociology of emotion/social policy. 

Skills
A demonstrable interest in researching gender politics, ageing and older people, particularly experience in the fields of sociology of emotion and Far Right populism.

Qualifications

Essential

An UG degree in social policy or related discipline.

Desirable

A master's or PhD (or studying towards a masters or PhD) in one of these areas is an advantage.

The Postgraduate Research Assistant will be a productive and collaborative member of the new research project ?Community Energy: Principles, Practices and Policies for a Net Zero Northern Ireland?, based within QUB?s interdisciplinary Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Action (SECA). 

?Community Energy: Principles, Practices and Policies for a Net Zero Northern Ireland? is a pioneering research project that focuses on the benefits of, and potential for, community energy in Northern Ireland, from a social science perspective. Funded by Northern Ireland?s Department for the Economy, the project seeks to generate key insights into the enablers of, and barriers to, community energy, in the context of global-local drivers that situate community energy as being central to transitions to a net zero, sustainable future.

Working closely with the PI, the Research Assistant will play a central role in this mixed methods research project. The successful applicant will: undertake a literature review on community energy; assist with qualitative data collection (interviews, Delphi method); transcribe recordings; contribute to thematic data analysis; aid energy policy analysis; co-produce research outputs; and undertake administrative and organisational tasks.

ESSENTIAL

• Have a degree in a relevant social science discipline, such as sociology, politics, anthropology, or development studies.

DESIRABLE

• Have, or be about to obtain, a postgraduate qualification in sustainable development/ community development/ public policy.
• Display evidence of interest in society-environment interactions and applied community-oriented research

ESSENTIAL

Recent relevant research experience to include

• Social Science research experience, with: experience of conducting qualitative primary data collection; secondary data synthesis; and relevant qualitative analysis skills.
• Working effectively as part of a research team in the development and promotion of the research theme
• Ability to undertake to administrative and organisational tasks.

DESIRABLE

• Knowledge of energy/ climate policy and practice, in Northern Ireland.
• Understanding of the implications of energy policy for diverse communities
• Sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge in a variety of research methods and techniques pertinent to community energy and energy policy. 
• Experience in applied community work/ community engagement/ research with communities.
• Publication record commensurate with stage of career