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Research Assistant placement with BBC Media Action

Research Assistant placement with BBC Media Action

The External Champion to the Partnership, Dr Tristram Riley-Smith, is seeking a researcher to undertake a placement, spending up to three months working with BBC Media Action to carry out a review of the evidence of the effectiveness (or otherwise) of strategic communication, independent media and media development in countering violent extremism (CVE) and information warfare.

The placement will be based at BBC Media Action’s offices in London, with desk-space and access to IT available there. But the successful candidate will be expected to travel to speak to stakeholders as and when required. The successful candidate will report to Dr Riley-Smith, but is expected to work closely with BBC Media Action.

The job will initially entail interviewing relevant stakeholders; reading through academic and non -academic literature (identified in consultation with the BBC Media Action supervisor and others); collating and analysing the results; drafting a report which can be shared with the Partnership’s community and other interested parties (written in a way that is easily understood by policy audiences). This report will be the key output of this placement, and will be used by BBC Media Action and the Partnership to inform policy thinking and, if appropriate, future research calls in this area. There might also be the opportunity to collaborate with researchers working on this issue within Government in order to extend the impact of this work.

The successful candidate will have strong academic grounding in either Arts, Humanities, Social or Behavioural Science and be continuing to conduct research in at least one of these areas. Candidates at Post-Doctoral level may assume the role on a Research Associate basis, while those studying towards a PhD would be considered at Research Assistant level; the candidate will have strong analytical skills, strong oral and written communication skills.

It would be very helpful if the successful candidate exhibits knowledge and understanding of Conflict and CVE issues and of Informational Warfare or propaganda; it is also desirable to be able to demonstrate evidence of team-working and a commitment to work across relevant disciplines.

The funds for this post are available for 3 months in the first instance.

The application deadline for this post is Friday 14 August 2015.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 10 September 2015.

Position Details

Title: Research Assistant/Associate (Fixed Term)

Department: Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Cambridge

Location: London

Salary: £24,775-£37,394

Job Reference: UE06575

Closing Date: 14 August 2015

To find out more or to apply please visit the University of Cambridge website.