Postdoctoral Researcher in Police interviewing and Criminal Investigations

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following position #003299 - Postdoctoral Researcher in Police interviewing and Criminal Investigations, 6 Year Fixed Term Contract (2 positions open)

Dublin City University
Dublin City University is a leading innovative European University with a mission to ‘transform lives and societies’. DCU ranks as one of the world’s Top 350 Universities, Times Higher Education, and is proud to be Ireland’s No. 1 Young University. The University is known for the ‘transformative student experience’ it offers, and is also recognised for its impact in addressing global challenges in collaboration with national and international stakeholders. 

Research Career FrameworK
As part of this role the researcher will be required to participate in the DCU Research Career Framework.  This framework is designed to provide significant professional development opportunities to Researchers and offer the best opportunities in terms of a wider career path.

Background & Role

There are 2 positions open for this role. This position arises within an ERC Synergy Grant-funded project: JUSTICE – Joining Unique Strategies Together for Coercive Interrogation Elimination. The DCU-based Principal Investigator (PI) on this project is Professor Yvonne Daly (Professor of Criminal Law and Evidence). There are three other PIs: Professor Shane O’Mara (Professor of Experimental Brain Research (Neuroscience), Trinity College Dublin, Ireland), Professor Dave Walsh (Professor in Criminal Investigation, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK), and Dr Bennett Kleinberg (Associate Professor in Behavioural Data Science, Tilburg University, Netherlands). JUSTICE is an interdisciplinary project with four interlinking Major Research Questions (MRQs). Each PI will be employing post-doctoral researchers within the project. Some will have greater responsibility under certain MRQs, but all will be expected to work together as a team, towards the ultimate goals of the project.

This position will require the postdoctoral researcher to conduct a specified programme of research under MRQs 1 and 3 of the JUSTICE project, along with engagement across the other two MRQs. MRQ1 focuses on mapping the compliance of 100 jurisdictions worldwide with the Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information-Gathering, 2021 (the so-called “Méndez Principles”). Our research will develop a new scale to measure such compliance, we will gather information relating to police interviewing (and the associated legal and procedural safeguards) in 100 jurisdictions, and create an open access interactive online map of Méndez compliance. A deeper level of analysis will then be conducted on 30 of those jurisdictions. This will involve expert questionnaires and surveys of police officers, public prosecutors (where relevant), lawyers and academics. 

The postdoctoral researcher will also be involved in preparing, conducting and analysing a series of Action Studies, to take place in 6 jurisdictions, where current or recently retired police officers will undertake an observed week-long investigation of a constructed case. These Action Studies will also engage real lawyers, and work with actors in the roles of witnesses, victims, and suspects.

Under MRQ3, the postdoctoral researcher will prepare for, undertake, and analyse qualitative interviews with individuals who have experienced coercive interrogation, across at least 10 jurisdictions.

The research role will entail doctrinal research in law, exploring legislation, case law, policy documents, reports from national and international agencies, and reports from civil society groups across jurisdictions. It will also require strong project management skills, empirical research abilities, and understanding of the complexities of ethical and data privacy concerns. The researcher will be expected to contribute to the development of the project’s research methodology, reflexively engage with data methods and adjust/improve those on an ongoing basis, under the leadership of the PI. In addition, administrative activities may include applications for ethical approval; conference and event organisation; website content development and maintenance; drafting and writing of reports and articles for publication; project documentation and coordination; and report preparation.

The exact timeframe may change depending on the candidate's start date, so the six-year period is an approximation.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not restricted to, the following: 

• Conduct a specific programme of research and scholarship under the supervision and direction of your Principal Investigator. 
• Plan and undertake desk-based research and doctrinal analysis on legislation, case law, policy documents, reports from national and international agencies, and reports from civil society groups related to police interviewing across jurisdictions.
• Contribute to the development of the project’s research methodology, in particular the development of the Méndez compliance scale. 
• Develop plans for Action Studies, conduct these studies (in conjunction with the PI and other JUSTICE team members) and analyse the results.
• Plan, undertake and analyse semi-structured interviews with persons who have experienced coercive police interview across at least 10 jurisdictions (in conjunction with the PI and other JUSTICE team members).
• Process data in accordance with methodology to develop analysis, key findings and write-up. 
• Carry out administrative work associated with your programme of research, including, but not limited to, applications for ethical approval and data protection impact assessments.
• Support the organisation, logistics and running of academic conferences, workshops and public events associated with the project. 
• Undertake appropriate training and professional development opportunities as required by your PI, School or Centre, or the University.
• Share knowledge and support planning across all aspects of the JUSTICE project.
• Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research relating to the JUSTICE project, as directed by and with the support of and under the supervision of your PI.
• Engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of your research group, School and Centre.

Minimum Criteria

Applicants should have a PhD in Law, Criminology, or related discipline. In addition, it is desirable that the candidate has experience in and knowledge of the study of one or more broad themes related to the project such as: police interviewing; police investigations; criminal procedure; the implementation of international principles; human rights in the criminal justice context. A strong publication record for career stage is desirable. Two positions are available. The selection panel will be aiming to select candidates with complementary skill sets. Knowledge and experience of qualitative research methods would be very valuable, and an understanding of natural language processing and/or large language models would be useful (but not essential). Candidates with quantitative research experience are also encouraged to apply.

Candidates will be assessed on the following competencies:

Discipline knowledge and Research skills – Demonstrates knowledge of a research discipline and the ability to conduct a specific programme of research within that discipline

Understanding the Research Environment – Demonstrates an awareness of the research environment (for example funding bodies) and the ability to contribute to grant applications

Communicating Research – Demonstrates the ability to communicate their research with their peers and the wider research community (for example presenting at conferences and publishing research in relevant journals) and the potential to teach and tutor students

Managing & Leadership skills - Demonstrates the potential to manage a research project including, amongst other things, applications for ethical approval and data protection assessments, engagement with individuals in other jurisdictions to facilitate the planned research, and the supervision of undergraduate students

Teamwork & Individual initiative – Demonstrates capacity to work well within a team and to work on own initiative, as needed

Essential Training 

The postholder will be required to undertake the following essential compliance training: 

• Orientation
• Health & Safety
• Data Protection (GDPR)
• Cyber Security Awareness 
• AI Literacy 

Other training may need to be undertaken when required, e.g. trauma-informed research interviewing, cultural awareness training.

Salary Scale:

IUA Postdoctoral Researcher Salary Scale - PD1 Point 1 - PD1 Point 2 Salary (€46,805 to €47,405) 

Appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and in line with current Government pay policy

Closing date: Thursday, 23rd April, 2026

Remote Working Policy

DCU operates a Remote Working Policy. Employees may be approved for up to 2 days of remote working per week (or an appropriate pro-rata amount for those part time). Any remote working arrangement will be reflective of the predominant on-campus working environment and the core University value of 'Student Focused'.

Employees will be based on campus for the majority of their working week to ensure a sustained on campus engagement and experience. The terms of the remote working policy will apply.

For more information about the School of Law and Government, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/lawandgovernment

Informal Enquiries in relation to this role should be directed to:

Professor Yvonne Daly, Full Professor of Criminal Law and Evidence, School of Law and Government, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dublin City University

Email: yvonne.daly@dcu.ie

Please do not send applications to this email address, instead apply as described below.

Application Procedure:

Please submit your application through the online system: https://my.corehr.com/pls/dcurecruit/erq_search_package.search_form?p_company=1&p_internal_external=E

 In order to be considered for the role to which you are applying for, you must upload:

1)  Curriculum Vitae

2)  Cover Letter

3)  Completed application form (blank forms can be downloaded from the bottom of the Vacancy).

Please note, if all items are not uploaded, the application will be deemed incomplete, and will not be processed.

Dublin City University is an equal opportunities employer. 

In line with the Employment Equality Acts 1998 – 2015, the University is committed to equality of treatment for all those who engage with its recruitment, selection and appointment processes. 

The University’s Athena SWAN Silver Award signifies the University’s commitment to promoting gender equality and addressing any gender pay gaps. Information on a range of university policies aimed at creating a supportive and flexible work environment are available in the DCU Policy Starter Packs