[ecrea] Post Doctoral Research Fellow - Digital Childhoods

http://www.candidatemanager.net/cm/Micro/JobDetails.aspx?&mid=YAZCXGT&sid=EVWEV&jid=FFYFBB&site=DIT

Job Ref HRAG/NA/196/11
Job Title Post Doctoral Research Fellow - Digital Childhoods
Job Type Contract - bepaalde tijd
Location DIT Mountjoy Square
Description

Please complete the online application form which can be found by 
clicking “click here to apply” below. You will receive an 
acknowledgement by email immediately after submitting the application. 
Interested applicants must attach a CV and fully complete the online 
application form as incomplete forms will not be accepted. It is not 
sufficient to state “See CV” on the form.

Latest day for receipt of applications in our online recruitment system is
20th November, 2011.

Late applications will not be accepted.

If you require additional information on this vacancy, please contact
Dr. Brian O’ Neill (Brian.ONeill /at/ dit.ie) 01-4023038

Please note, should you have any queries in relation to the submission 
of your application, support is available at telephone 01 402 3433 , 
Monday – Friday, 09.00 – 17.00.

You are also advised that you can only submit one application per 
competition. Should you have any issues with your submission, please 
contact us.

Nature of the Post:

The Centre for Social and Educational Research (CSER) at the Dublin 
Institute of Technology conducts research that seeks to improve the 
quality of life of children, family and society. Following the award of 
a Senior Research Fellowship to the Centre, DIT now wishes to appoint a 
post-doctoral research fellow in the general area of digital 
technologies and media in childhood with a specific focus on uses of the 
internet by children and young people.
The post doctoral fellow will work as part of a team researching trends, 
patterns of use and access, opportunity and risk regarding young 
people’s use of digital technologies in Ireland. The research draws on 
the EU Kids Online survey of children’s use of internet technologies, 
and specifically the Irish dataset of 1000 child-parent interviews, part 
of the largest ever survey of children’s online use conducted in 25 
countries in 2010. It will link also to other large scale surveys in 
Ireland and internationally.
The position will entail survey data analysis, hypothesis testing, and 
baseline comparative research drawing on a variety of data sources. In 
addition, there is a requirement to prepare reports and articles, and 
participate in the various activities of the project in association with 
the research team.

1] www.cser.ie

[2] www.eukidsonline.net

The following are the main tasks associated with the position:
• Identify and access relevant data sources for comparative and 
longitudinal digital trends and media use for young populations in Ireland;
• Conduct detailed statistical analysis using relevant datasets 
including EU Kids Online survey data;
• Contribute new hypotheses focusing on national patterns, identifying 
areas of policy interest and social need;
• Contribute to ongoing qualitative research in the form of interviews 
and focus groups;
• Transcribe interview transcripts;
• Assist with writing up of research findings.

The Role:

This is a 12 month fixed term specified purpose contract which will run 
from date of employment until the research is completed or on an earlier 
date if the funding for this post comes to an end.

Funding for this appointment is provided by the Irish Research Council 
for the Humanities and Social Sciences. Successful candidates will have 
a doctorate in a related area, with evidence of research at the 
intersection of public policy and children’s media use. The 
post-doctoral fellow will be expected to conduct significant research 
and should possess relevant social science expertise with specific 
skills in quantitative methodologies, and statistical data analysis 
techniques. Candidates should also have evidence of strong ability in 
academic writing.

The provisions of the Dublin Institute of Technology Act, 1992 to 2006 
and any subsequent Acts replacing or amending these Acts and any orders 
and regulations made under these Acts will apply.

Duties:

The appointee will be required to:

• Assemble and manage relevant datasets as appropriate for the project;
• Lead statistical data analysis as required for ongoing research and 
dissemination on the project;
• Carry out additional field work in consultation with the Principal 
Investigator;
• Record, analyse and write up the results of the field studies;
• Prepare and present findings of research activity to colleagues for 
review purposes;
• Help prepare progress reports on research for funding bodies as required;
• Contribute to the preparation and drafting of research bids and proposals;
• Contribute to the overall activities of the research team and 
department as required;
• Work independently on assigned research tasks;
• Contribute to the drafting and submitting of papers to appropriate 
peer reviewed journals;
• Help draft formal/official presentations and papers of research 
findings to external audiences.
• As duties and responsibilities change, the postholder will carry out 
any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job 
as requested by the line manager;
• The postholder will actively follow all DIT policies and regulations, 
and maintain an awareness and observation of Research Ethics, and Health 
and Safety Regulations.

Requirements:

Essential

• A Doctoral Degree from an approved degree awarding institutions or 
equivalent in a appropriate discipline;
• Evidence of familiarity with the subject domain and willingness to 
be/remain contemporaneous with the subject matter;
• Expertise in quantitative methods, large datasets and statistical data 
analysis;
• Evidence of ability to analyse and write up data.

Desirable

• Evidence of knowledge and experience with different research 
methodologies, and the appropriate software;
• Evidence of research ethics training;
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of 
audiences with excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Experience working in a research environment and in international 
research projects;
• Experience of multi-disciplinary working;
• Ability to work collaboratively and as part of a team;
• Strong evidence of research and publications
• Demonstrated ability to use initiative and meet performance deadlines 
during the course of a project.

Salary:

€30,117 per annum
€27,105.30 per annum (10% reduction in the pay of new entrants to the 
public service contained in the National Recovery Plan applies)

Remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government 
pay policy. This post is funded by IRCHSS.

Hours of work:

A 37 hour week is in operation. Having regard to the nature of the work, 
attendance outside these hours may be required from time to time. 
Starting and finishing times to be agreed with the Project Director.

Probation:

A probationary period of 2 months from the date the individual commences 
work will apply. The appointee will be advised on his/her performance 
during the period. At the end of probationary period the appointee may 
be confirmed in his/her appointment, continued on probation for a 
further period or at any time during the probationary period the 
appointment may be terminated.

Annual leave:

20 days per year excluding any concession days that may be granted at 
Christmas and Easter. Annual leave to be taken within the duration of 
the contract and as agreed between the Project Director and the 
individual. Payment for annual leave and public holidays will be made in 
accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997. Pro rata 
holiday entitlements will apply to part-time contracts and contracts of 
less than twelve month’s duration. Holiday entitlement is earned against 
time worked.

Sick Leave:

Up to 5 single days per annum uncertified sick leave plus a maximum of 
14 days certified sick leave per annum may be granted. Pro rata sick 
leave entitlements will apply to contracts of less than one year's 
duration. Payments in respect of sick leave will be adjusted by 
reference to any disability benefit received from the Department of 
Social Protection.

For continued illness the Institute will be entitled to withdraw from 
the contract.
A medical certificate / doctor’s note will be required for absence due 
to illness in excess of three consecutive days at any one time and for 
each day in excess of seven days in any one year, or salary will not be 
paid.

The Institute may request a full medical report and is entitled to the 
facility of having a medical practitioner appointed by the Institute to 
examine the appointee, subject to any collective agreement applying.

Pension:

In addition to remuneration a Pension contribution of 20% of annual 
salary will be paid into an appropriate PRSA fund. A PRSA is a 
straightforward pension product that was introduced in 2003 by the 
Pensions (Amendment) Act 2002. It is a contract between an individual 
and the authorised PRSA provider in the form of an investment account 
that can be used to save for retirement. The Institute’s designated PRSA 
provider is Cornmarket who currently offer the Eagle Star-Zurich PRSA.

Certificates:

Persons appointed for the first time to a wholetime position within the 
Institute will be required to furnish:
a) as evidence of age, a certified extract from a Public Register of Birth;
b) documentary evidence of educational attainments/qualifications;
c) two satisfactory references as to character.

External Funding:

This contract post is a fully “externally funded research post” as 
envisaged by the Employment Control Framework for Higher Education 
Sector’ published by the Higher Education Authority pursuant to the 
Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotions in the Public Service as a 
currently implemented by the Government. It is a condition of this 
contract that if such external funding ceases or if the Institute is 
obliged to terminate the post for other reasons outside of its control 
(such as State policy), a redundancy will arise in respect of this position.

General Information:

• Canvassing will automatically disqualify.
• Short listing of applicants may take place, on the basis of 
information supplied in the application form.
• DIT is an equal opportunities employer.
• DIT operates a policy of Garda Vetting & Disclosure of Criminal 
Convictions. All applicants will be asked to disclose criminal 
convictions and may have to undergo Garda Vetting as part of the 
selection process.

Human Resources Department November 2011
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