University of Durham

Department of Geography

Two Post-Doctoral Research Fellows

Applications are invited for two Post-Doctoral Research Fellows to
join
Professor Susan Smith in a programme of work on home ownership. This
work is
based in one of the UKs foremost centres for research excellence in
human
geography, and is linked both to the ESRC/AHRB Cultures of Consumption
Programme and the ESRC Professorial Fellowships scheme. Each post is
available
full-time for two years, from October 1, 2004 (or 1 Jan 2005, for one
of the
posts).

Home purchase is the largest item of consumption and the most
significant
financial asset for most households in the more developed world. Yet
little is
known about the way housing wealth is acquired and accumulated, how it
is
managed, what risks and benefits it brings, how it affects the meaning
and use
of homes, or what implications it has for the environmental and social
sustainability of the housing system. New and imaginative work on
these themes
will make a major contribution to Durham’s research clusters on
‘lived and material cultures’ and ‘social wellbeing
and
spatial justice’ over the next five years.

Applicants should have (or shortly be expecting) a PhD in any relevant
discipline in the social and environmental sciences or humanities.
One of the
posts requires experience in qualitative methods, the other some
quantitative
or mixed methods skills. The salary is on the RA1A scale. Informal
enquiries
may be made to

Professor Susan Smith
Department of Geography
University of Durham
South Road
Durham
DH1 3LE

Telephone No:  0191 334 1896
Email: [log in to unmask] (please copy to [log in to unmask] )

Closing date for applications is 3rd September 2004;
Interviews on 20th September 2004.




Person Specification for the Post of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow

Two year research fellowship (Cultures of Consumption Programme)

Essential Qualities:
 Applicants should have, or shortly expect to have, a PhD in any
relevant
discipline in the social and environmental sciences or humanities
 Experience in the use of qualitative research methods
 Specialist knowledge of one or more of the following areas of
literature:
consumption studies; cultural economy; housing studies; financial
services
 Well-developed writing skills
 Interpersonal skills suited to telephone and in-person interviewing.

Desirable Qualities
 Some published work, or work in press
 An interest in collaborative/team-based research


Two year research fellowship linked to a programme of work on housing
markets
(year one, general themes; year two linked to the Consumption
Programmes)

Essential Qualities:

 Applicants should have, or shortly expect to have, a PhD in any
relevant
discipline in the social and environmental sciences or humanities
 Experience in the use of quantitative methods either alone or in a
mixed
methods environment
 Ability to use SPSSx, or willingness and ability to acquire this
skill
 Specialist knowledge of one or more of the following areas of
literature:
social statistics; mixed methods research; consumption studies;
cultural
economy; housing studies; financial services
 Well-developed writing skills

Desirable Qualities

 An interest in developing interviewing skills as part of a mixed
methods study
 An ability to work with census and other social survey data, and an
interest in
linking data sets
 Some published work, or work in press
 An interest in collaborative/team-based research

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