Career Opportunities at Queen's

The LIFELANGS project is seeking to recruit a highly motivated and outstanding post-doctoral research fellow for a period of four years (48 months). The project is one of four new cross-border large-scale research projects supported by the North-South Research Programme (NSRP), administered by Ireland's Higher Education Authority. This research programme is a key pillar of the Government of Ireland's Shared Island strategy, advancing an all-island research agenda that strengthens cross-border ties and delivers real, lasting impact for communities across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Funded under the Emerging Hubs of Excellence Strand, the LIFELANGS observatory aims to secure a more inclusive and resilient future for all and create a critical mass of interdisciplinary expertise and evidence-based resources in languages, education, and social sciences. This research fellow will contribute to the project LIFELANGS: Living Observatory of Shared Languages and Identities, reporting to co-PI Dr Aisling O’Boyle based in Queen’s University Belfast. LIFELANGS is a joint project, with co-PI Professor Lorna Carson based in Trinity College Dublin. Close intra-institutional collaboration and cross-border mobility is a key feature of the project.

About the person:

Essential Criteria:

• A PhD in Education, Languages, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Identity Studies, Anthropology or cognate discipline (PhD must be awarded by start date of post).
• Significant relevant experience in planning and delivering research projects or work packages to defined deadlines and standards.
• Ability to conduct independent, high-quality research, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or equivalent outputs commensurate with career stage.
• Proficiency in relevant qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies, data analysis techniques, and research tools specific to the LIFELANGS project.
• Strong academic writing and communication skills, including experience in drafting research papers, reports, or funding applications.
• Experience of supervision/co-supervision/mentorship of students undertaking research. Experience of communicating research to diverse audiences.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.

Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

What we offer:

Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/pay-reward-and-benefits/.

Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit www.qub.ac.uk/diversity.

If you are an international applicant and don't already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self-assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application - http://go.qub.ac.uk/internationalstaffsupport.

Candidate Information