Research Associate (fixed-term) (ED

About the role

The Department of Social and Policy Sciences at the University of Bath is seeking to appoint a Research Associate to work on the ‘There’s no place like home? Exploring dying at Home in Urban Poverty’ project, funded by the ESRC (Principal Investigator: Dr Kate Woodthorpe). 

Based in the Centre for Death and Society, we are looking to appoint a qualitative researcher with an interest in end of life care, poverty, and/or housing. 

A parallel post is also being advertised at the University of Hull.

By 2040 home is expected to overtake hospitals to become the second most common setting for death in England and Wales. 

As the preferred place of death for most people, evidence on the impact of housing on dying at home and the provision of domiciliary end of life care services is limited. 

This is particularly the case for those living in urban poverty who are more likely to experience smaller homes, overcrowding, poor living conditions, and precarious rental tenancies. 

This study will make distinctive interdisciplinary contributions to theory, policy, and practice from historical, social, clinical, and policy perspectives. 

Working as an integral part of the project team, and alongside another researcher based in Hull, you will review literature, design data collection materials, recruit participants, and undertake and analyse qualitative interviews and associated design materials.

You will demonstrate excellent organisational and interpersonal skills and preferably have knowledge of research ethics. 

You will contribute to outputs from the project, including research reports and summaries, journal articles, and conference/seminar presentations, for a variety of different audiences, including academics, policymakers, and health and social care practitioners. 

Our ideal candidate

You will have a PhD in a social science discipline or have equivalent experience. 

Ideally you will have a research background in sociology, social policy, anthropology, health sciences, social work or another relevant field, and experience of qualitative research. 

Additional information

The post is available at 0.8 FTE for 30 months. 

The role is subject to enhanced DBS checks.

If you would like further information and an opportunity to discuss the role, please contact Principal Investigator Dr Kate Woodthorpe on k.v.woodthorpe@bath.ac.uk.

What we can offer you:

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

Free counselling services through Health AssuredCycle to work schemeElectric vehicle salary sacrifice schemeStaff discount at Team Bath gymStaff discounts on postgraduate tuition feesStaff discount on language coursesGenerous employer contributory pension schemesGenerous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balanceA wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and moreFree entry to the Holburne Museum in BathLocal discounts and moreA family-friendly workplace An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforceRelocation allowanceVisa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

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Closing Date: 26 Jun 2025

Department: Education & Research

Salary: £38,249 to £45,413