Job opportunity: Research Assistant with Alan Renwick

The Constitution Unit has secured funding from the British Academy for a project called ‘Deciding On Borders: Preparing For A Northern Ireland Border Poll’ and applications are now invited for a Research Assistant on that project. The post is funded for 12 months in the first instance and is for 25.5 hours per week (70% FTE).

Created in 1995, The Constitution Unit conducts timely, rigorous, independent research into constitutional change and the reform of political institutions. Our publications include reports, books, and articles in both academic journals and mainstream media. We have always prioritised providing evidence to policymakers, and our research has significant real-world impact – both in the United Kingdom and around the world.

The Research Assistant, based in London, will be expected to undertake duties as directed by Dr Alan Renwick, including reviewing literatures and preparing briefing papers, mapping and analysing existing practice around referendums and constitutional decision-making, mapping and analysing relevant public discourses, planning and participating in research interviews, administering and attending project meetings in London, Belfast and Dublin, assisting with the compilation of the final report, leading on the project's social media presence and website maintenance and liaising on publicity for the project.

Key requirements

Candidates must have either a First-Class Bachelor's degree or Distinction in a Master's degree in Politics, Law or closely related field, or a 2.1 Bachelor's degree in Politics, Law or closely related field AND substantial professional experience of conducting research on politics, law or a closely related field.

Candidates must have a demonstrable knowledge of and interest in Northern Irish and/or Irish and/or British politics and knowledge of debates around the role or conduct of referendums. The successful candidate will also be able to gather and organise complex material from a range of sources, have excellent written communication and organisational skills, excellent interpersonal skills and sound judgement. Candidates must also demonstrate professional political neutrality, both in partisan terms and on key topics such as the question of Northern Ireland's constitutional future.

The ideal candidate will also have experience of conducting research on politics or a closely related matter, experience of working in an academic research centre or similar, experience of writing briefings for policy-makers and experience of working with websites and/or social media.

How to apply

Please apply online via the UCL jobs page.

Further details are available in the Job Description and Person Specification.

Closing date: 29 September 2019

Interview date: 9 October 2019

Salary: UCL Grade 6B, £30,922 per annum pro rata

For queries regarding the vacancy or application process, please contact Rachel Cronkshaw, Constitution Unit Office Manager (email: r.cronkshaw@ucl.ac.uk, Tel: 020 7679 4977).