The Post
The University of Stirling is recruiting a postdoctoral research fellow to undertake research to support the work of the ESRC funded research project, "Bringing "Norms" Back Home: Troop-Contributing Countries and Their Domestic Engagement with UN Peacekeeping Norms."
In particular, the postholder will work closely with the Principal Investigator and country-based research teams to develop interview guides, undertake data analysis, coding, and document analysis, and contribute to the development and management of the project's dataset.
The role is primarily methodological, providing research design and analytical support to the country teams to ensure consistency and rigour across the comparative study.
Description of Duties
- Work with the Principal Investigator (PI) to develop guidelines for the country teams to conduct systematic document analysis of publicly available laws, decrees, constitutional provisions, and other relevant policy documents to assess the extent to which UN peacekeeping norms have been domesticated. The findings will inform the project's comparative dataset
- Collaborate with the PI and country teams to design interview guides for two distinct sets of interviews to be conducted across all case study countries
- Support the PI and country teams in the analysis and coding of interview data to ensure methodological consistency across cases
- Contribute to the development, management, and quality assurance of the project's comparative dataset
- Attend the project's inception and final workshops, presenting on the methodological framework and contributing to discussions on research design, data collection, and analysis. Both workshop will be held in one of the project case study countries
Essential Criteria
- PhD in Social Sciences (applicants undertaking PhD and nearing completion will be considered)
- Experience of working with both qualitative and quantitative analysis completed during study
- Experience of using electronic databases and datasets, particularly of legal texts, agreements, or similar areas
- Experience of working with software like Nvivo
- Capacity to produce research in a team-based context
- Excellent organisational skills
- Excellent personal, written, and verbal communication skills
- A flexible approach to working
- A commitment to high standards of integrity, ethics, and managing risk
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of research on peacekeeping, gender, rule of law, human rights
- Understanding of how to engage with research end-users
- Ability to contribute to policy-oriented outputs with short timescales
- Experience in coding/categorising datasets or manipulating data
Additional Information
Part time (30% FTE)
Fixed term until 31 August 2028
Grade 7: £38,784 - £46,049 p.a. pro-rata
The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 30 August 2026.
Interviews are expected to take place on Monday 14 September 2026.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
This role is not eligible for sponsorship. Applicants require to have existing right to work in the UK.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
- Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
- Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
- Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
- Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
- Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
- Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
- Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
- Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
- Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
The University
The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.
The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,500 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence.
We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024). In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.
Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and our Institute of Aquaculture (2019).
Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland’s International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni
Job Reference: FAC02138
