Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher: DARE, ESR 14: Amplifying Disability Voices: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions
National University of Ireland, Centre for Disability Law and Policy
Ireland

NUIG 022-19, Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher: DARE, ESR 14: Amplifying Disability Voices: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions, Centre for Disability Law and Policy, NUIG

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time fixed term position as a Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher with the Centre for Disability Law and Policy at the National University of Ireland, Galway. This position is funded by the European Commission and is available from 1 September 2019 to contract end date of 31 August 2022.

The Centre for Disability Law and Policy was established in 2008 and is part of the School of Law, and the Institute for Lifecourse and Society at the National University of Ireland, Galway. It is dedicated to producing research that informs debate on national and international disability law reform. More information can be viewed at www.nuigalway.ie/cdlp/

Job Description:

The successful candidate will be offered a role as an Early Stage Researcher on the DARE Marie Curie Initial Training Network. DARE will be co-ordinated by the Centre for Disability Law and Policy at the National University of Ireland, Galway, with the collaboration of 7 partner institutions: the Institute for Social and Political Sciences (Portugal) , Maastricht University (Netherlands), University of Leeds (UK), the European Disability Forum, the European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities, the University of Iceland and Swiss Paraplegic Research.

The primary aim of DARE is to equip a new generation of researchers to respond to global challenges facing persons with disabilities and policy makers. Its goal is to give legitimacy, through research, to the lived experience of persons with disabilities, as a basis for law reform Fifteen Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) will be recruited across the network and will explore and develop recommendations for disability law and policy reform in light of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. DARE is an interdisciplinary research project – all ESRs will receive training in at least two disciplines related to disability rights – and all ESR projects are designed to be interdisciplinary in scope. All of the researchers will also have the opportunity to gain invaluable and funded work experience with leading civil society and public service organisations.

The successful candidate will conduct research on the work package entitled: Amplifying Disability Voices: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions.

The objectives of this workpackage are as follows:

• To explore how and whether European civil society organisations interact with national human rights institutions (human rights commissions, Ombudsman, equality bodies) to validate their claims, to amplify their voice and to press for change.

• To explore the new kinds of skills needed to work effectively through and with such authoritative bodies.

   

The candidate will be supervised by Professor Eilionóir Flynn, the Scientific Co-ordinator of the DARE project and Principal Investigator at NUI Galway. Co-supervision will be provided by Professor Anna Lawson at the University of Leeds and Catalina Devandas Aguilar, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

This project will include at two four month secondments in the University of Leeds and with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities respectively, during the second year of the contract (September 2020-August 2021).

Applicants must also fulfil the entrance requirements for the Structured PhD programme at NUI Galway. To be eligible for admission to the PhD programme, a candidate must normally have obtained an LL.M or other Master’s degree to honours standard (or equivalent international qualification).  However, at a minimum, the candidate must have reached a high honours standard at the examination for the primary degree or presented such other evidence as will satisfy the Head of School and the College of his/her fitness. Successful applicants will not be charged PhD fees.

Duties:

• Complete a research proposal for the workpackage to contain research objectives, description of research, methodology, proposed completion timeframe, originality of contribution and societal impact.

• Develop a Personal Career Development Plan outlining training and support needs, and update this regularly based on training completed.

• Complete annual summaries of research findings for submission to the European Commission, publication on the DARE website and dissemination to relevant stakeholders.

• Develop an Impact Action Plan to ensure the research achieves maximum societal impact and provide annual updates on steps taken to implement this plan.

• Disseminate and communicate the research findings to relevant stakeholders including disabled people and their representative organisations, public bodies, and other researchers.

• Prepare regular research updates for the DARE website and social media accounts.

• Participate in 5 network-wide training events in the course of the project and complete any additional training required to successfully carry out the research proposal.

• Complete 30 ECTS of taught modules as required for the Structured PhD Programme at NUI Galway.

• Prepare a manuscript for submission as a PhD thesis at NUI Galway.

   

• Contribute to ongoing and related research projects in the Centre for Disability Law and Policy.

• Collaborate with other members of the research team to complete legislative and policy submissions on behalf of the Centre.

• Assist the PI and the Business and Strategic Development Manager of the Centre in preparing funding proposals related to the ESR’s area of research.

Qualifications:

Applicants must meet the Marie Curie definition of an early stage researcher, which is defined as applicants who have not yet been awarded a doctoral degree and are in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This includes the period of research training, starting at the date of obtaining the degree which would formally entitle them to embark on a doctorate.

Applicants must also meet the mobility requirements for Marie Curie fellows. Marie Curie Early Stage Researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up an appointment. At the time of selection, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (e.g. work, study etc.) in Ireland for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to the contract start date of 1 September 2019 (short stays such as holidays are not taken into account).

Applicants must also fulfil the entrance requirements for the Structured PhD programme at NUI Galway as stated above.

Candidates should have excellent communication and organizational skills; be highly motivated and passionate about disability rights and the role of national human rights institutions; and have strong documentation, oral and interpersonal skills.

Essential Requirements:

• Meets the eligibility and mobility criteria for a Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher and qualifies for admission to the Structured PhD programme at NUI Galway.
• Familiarity with the rights of persons with disabilities and/or the role of national human rights institutions in promoting disability rights.
• Minimum of one year’s research experience.

• Excellent and proven ability to work independently and use initiative. 

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience in conducting qualitative research with marginalized groups.
• Ability to present research findings to a wide range of audiences including disabled people, public authorities, other researchers, etc.

• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. The post will be based at the Institute for Lifecourse and Society.  Potential candidates should contact mary.faherty@nuigalway.ie with any queries about accessibility requirements for interviews. Information on reasonable accommodations available to employees and students at NUI Galway can be sourced from the Disability Support Service: www.nuigalway.ie/disability

NB: Gárda clearance is a requirement for this post

Salary: Remuneration is in line with EC rules for Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN projects: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/wp/2018-2020/main/h2020-wp1820-msca_en.pdf  Please refer to the Dare Guide for Applicants available at http://www.nuigalway.ie/centre-disability-law-policy/research/projects/current/dare/

for more details.

Start date: 1^st September 2019.

Continuing Professional Development/Training:

Researchers at NUI Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. Further information on research and working at NUI Galway is available on Research at NUI Galway. For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie

Further information about CDLP and Central application form are available at http://www.nuigalway.ie/centre-disability-law-policy/research/projects/current/dare/

To Apply:

Queries about the post should be directed to the Principal Investigator, Professor Eilionóir Flynn eilionoir.flynn@nuigalway.ie

Completed applications must include the following:

- DARE application form.

- motivation letter.

- Curriculum Vitae.

- certified transcripts of results of Masters’ degree in relevant discipline (depending on position applied for, law, humanities or social sciences).

- evidence of IELTS or TOEFL scores for non-native English speakers.

- two recent reference letters sent directly by the referees via email (including applicant name and hosting network partner name in email title).

- 2,500 word research proposal in the following format:

a. Background to the research proposal, objectives and main research question

Max. 500 words (excl. references). Use Word Count to specify.

b. Description of the proposed research

Max. 1000 words (excl. references). Use Word Count to specify.

c. Methodology and proposed timeline for completion of research

Max. 500 words. Use Word Count to specify.

d. Original contribution to knowledge of the proposed research (including potential for broader societal impact)

Max. 500 words. Use Word Count to specify.

e. Literature references

Max. 20 references

In drafting the research proposal, applicants must set out their vision for conducting the research project. This means that applicants should expand on the brief project description above on the scope of the research, methodologies to be used, and (if relevant) specific countries which could be included in a comparative study.

Completed application forms and supporting documentation should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to dareresearch@nuigalway.ie

Please put reference number NUIG 022-19 in subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 23.59 on Thursday 14 March 2019. Interviews will be held the week of 15-18 April 2019.

National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer.

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment.

Closing Date: Thursday, 14 Mar 2019

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