Research Associate

Department

The School for Business and Society is the largest academic unit at the University of York. Housed in the Church Lane Building, this innovative merger between the York Management School and Social Policy and Social Work Department brings together the work of almost 300 academic and professional support staff.

The School wishes to recruit a Spanish-speaking Research Associate with excellent qualitative research skills and experience of conducting independent or collaborative research, to work on a newly funded Horizon Europe project on Drug Market-Related Harm: the PRISM project. This post will be for 2 years and 3 months, starting in October 2026 and finishing in December 2028 (100% FTE over 1/10/26 to 30/6/28; and 50% FTE over 1/7/28 to 31/12/28). Flexible working arrangements will be considered. You will work closely with principal investigator, Professor Charlie Loyd, and PRISM partners.

Role

This role will consist of three main areas of work: undertaking a literature review on what is known about drug market-related violence (DMRV) and responses to it, drawing on the international research base and relevant European reports; undertaking intensive fieldwork in Barcelona and contributing to other fieldwork where required; and contributing to the evaluation of a tool that is being created by project partners to guide cities in preventing DMRV. The Research Associate will also contribute to analysis, writing and dissemination across these areas of work and participate in PRISM meetings and contribute to other PRISM-related work as needed. You will be required:

• To collect, analyse and interpret qualitative research data; to use appropriate research techniques and methods; to write up research results
• To support the Principal Investigator in delivering key outputs.
• To undertake appropriate organisational and administrative activities connected to the research project.
• To disseminate, in collaboration with the Principal Investigator, research findings through publications, seminar and conference presentations and public engagement and outreach activities.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

You will have:

• A PhD in the Social Sciences (or nearing completion) or equivalent experience.
• Relevant knowledge to be able to engage in high-quality research.
• Knowledge of a range of social science research techniques and methodologies
• Highly developed communication skills to engage effectively with a wide range of audiences in Spanish and English, both orally and in writing, using a range of media.
• Ability to work as part of a team and also to work independently using your own initiative.
• A collaborative ethos.

Interview date: to be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Professor Charlie Lloyd on charlie.lloyd@york.ac.uk

Condition of employment

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Consequently, all applicants will be asked to declare both unspent and spent convictions on their application form.

Appointment of the successful candidate will be conditional on a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview. Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.