DOCTORAL RESEARCHER - HOMeAGE

HOMeAGE involves a nine-country collaboration between leading research units, major intergovernmental organisations, international civil society actors and governmental and non-governmental organisations. HOMeAGE aims to institute an interdisciplinary, intersectoral, and international programme of doctoral training and research that drives the development of new leaders in excellence for the advancement of evidence-based innovation on ageing in place. HOMeAGE will address the three interconnected challenges of (1) needs and systems, (2) home and belonging and (3) rights and voice. Doctoral Researchers will be hosted across the network, and in addition to conducting an original research study they will participate in a 36-month network-wide training program, public engagement activities and collaboration with network members through short-term secondments in European intersectoral partner organisations.

Host: University of Manchester,

UK Primary Supervisor: Professor Tine Buffel

Co-supervisor/mentors: Paul McGarry, (Greater Macnhester Combined Authority - GMCA) Dr. Mark Hammond (Manchester Metropolitan University - MMU), and Dr. Camilla Lewis (University of Manchester) and Dr. Alexander Peine (Open University)

Duration: 36 months

Required applicant profile: Highly motivated, independent and enthusiastic doctoral researcher with an excellent track record of academic achievement and a Postgraduate/Master’s degree in sociology, anthropology, political sciences, geography, urban studies or any other related subject. We expect experience, knowledge about, or strong interest in ageing and age-friendly issues and urban developments. Required skills include: excellent analytical, oral and writing skills in English; excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to deal with a range of people and stakeholder groups; good time management skills and ability to work independently and in part of a team; an ability/willingness to initiate collaborations with academics from different disciplinary backgrounds and methodological approaches; creative, outcome-focused and a sense of initiative.

Desired skills: Experience with working in areas of deprivation and with marginalised communities, including an awareness of the methodological issues involved; experience with, or an understanding of, co-production and participatory methods; skills in both quantitative and qualitative methods; an understanding of empirical research relating to ageing in place in cities, as well as the theoretical underpinnings of that research and associated age-friendly policy developments; an understanding of empirical and theoretical research in relation to race, ethnicity and racism. Knowledge about social and public policies towards older people in the UK. Any peer-reviewed publications will be considered an advantage.

Project Objectives: Working as part of the Rights and Voice work package, the successful candidate will conduct a research project focusing on how urban change and regeneration policies disrupt ageing in place for diverse groups and how participatory processes might counter this disruption. The aims are to investigate: (1) ageing in place among diverse groups (long-term residents, migrants, gender, class) in diverse city contexts; (2) whether regeneration policies reflect diversity of ageing populations; (3) how co-production of age-friendly initiatives support inclusive decisions around city development/recovery post COVID-19. The successful candidate will be supported by the Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group (MUARG) to develop collaborative research with local and regional government, community organisations, academics from different disciplinary backgrounds, as well as older people to promote age-friendly urban environments.

Secondment(s): Secondment 1 with Professor Alexander Peine at Open University in the Netherlands to learn about relevant innovation strategies to support older people living in areas of urban regeneration (4 months approximately). Secondment 2 at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) with Paul Mcgarry will allow the PhD researcher to work as part of a £4 million investment in the Ageing in Place Pathfinder Programme, a co-produced action planning approach in Greater Manchester to test new ways of supporting people to live well for longer with better health and connections in their local community (4 months approximately).

Gross salary: £36,386 per annum in year one, raising to £38,592 in year 3 (dependent on family circumstances). This position is funded by the UUK Research and Innovation (UKRI) grant ref EP/X030482/1 and is available from 1st September 2023 to contract end date.

Contact: Professor Tine Buffel, [Email Address Removed]

Application Process:

The following is an overview description of the application process for the HOMeAGE doctoral researcher positions. Before making an application please review the details below and the job/project descriptions for each individual DR available at www.icsg.ie/homeage. 

All applicants must fulfil the following general eligibility criteria, or otherwise will be rejected: 

• must have completed a Master's degree or equivalent at the time of start (Sept 2023). 
• must not have a doctoral degree at the date of their recruitment; 
• should comply with the mobility rules, where they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months, at any point during the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date ( short stays such as holidays or compulsory military service are not taken into account);

Project specific eligibility criteria must also be met. Please see individual job descriptions for these criteria. 

Essential language requirements 

The working language of HOMeAGE is English. Applicants are required to either be: 

• A native English speaker;                            

                        Or 

• A non-native English speaker who has demonstrable sufficient competencies in oral and written English. If successful, the candidate maybe required (depending on the essential criteria of the individual host organisation) to fulfil the academic IELTS (minimum score: 7.5), TOEFL internet-based (minimum score: 113) tests or an agreed equivalent. 

                        Or 

• A non-native English speaker who has completed a Masters degree through English. 

How to apply:

1. Application form with eligibility declaration (Word file);
2. Supporting materials, which must include: (a) curriculum vitae; (b) motivation letter; (c) evidence of qualifications (e.g. formal transcript and degree certificates); (d) English language certificate, if applicable; and (e) two references (a single PDF-file);
3. *Research proposal (2000 words maximum) based on the applicant’s interpretation of the selected project –

The post at the University of Manchester is based on separate funding from the UKRI and therefore certain conditions may apply for this post.

This post will close on March 7^th 2023 and applications from home and international students are welcome.

Links to project:

https://www.micra.manchester.ac.uk/muarg/research/current-projects/homage/

https://www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/displayjob.aspx?isPreview=Yes&jobid=24428&advert=external

Interviews will take place online and are scheduled in March/April 2023.