Postdoctoral Researcher in Social Sciences

Research Centre

Anti-Corruption Research Centre

Post title

Postdoctoral Researcher in Social Sciences 

Level on Framework

Level 1

Post duration

Fixed Term Contract up to 24 months (Two Positions)

Dublin City University

Dublin City University (DCU) is a leading innovative European University, proud to be one of the world’s leading Young Universities. DCU is known as Ireland’s University of Impact, with a mission to ‘transform lives and societies’ and focuses on addressing global challenges in collaboration with key national and international partners and stakeholders. 

DCU has over 20,000 students in five faculties spread across three academic campuses in the Glasnevin-Drumcondra area of North Dublin. Thanks to its innovative approach to teaching and learning, the University offers a ‘transformative student experience’ that helps to develop highly sought-after graduates. DCU is currently No. 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employment Rate, and for graduate income (CSO). 

DCU is a research-intensive University and is home to a number of SFI-funded Research Centres. The University participates in a range of European and international research partnerships. DCU is also the leading Irish university in the area of technology transfer as reflected by licensing of intellectual property.

As a ‘People First’ institution, DCU is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - a University that helps staff and students to thrive. The University is a leader in terms of its work to increase access to education, and is placed in the world’s Top 10 for reducing inequalities in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

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.

Overview of the department 

School of Law and Government 

The School of Law and Government is an ambitious, research-intensive school. It has a range of programmes at BA, MA, and PhD level. It offers several taught postgraduate programmes, including the MA in International Security and Conflict, the MA in International Relations and the International Masters in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies. The School has over forty research students and offers a structured PhD in Politics and International Relations. The School is committed to high quality research, expects its staff to publish regularly in leading journals and with leading university presses and supports its staff in such work. We have led research programmes supported by the Irish Research Council, the EU and other national and international funders. 

DCU Anti-Corruption Research Centre 

ARC is Ireland’s first academic research centre dedicated to research, policy, and education on corruption and anti-corruption. ARC is focused on understanding the causes and consequences of corruption and the development of effective anti-corruption strategies. ARC‘s membership comprises experienced and accomplished scholars from across the social sciences, including economics, political science, management, law, and sociology. For more information, see https://www.dcu.ie/arc. 

Role Profile 

DCU ARC is seeking to appoint two postdoctoral researchers to work on a funded project that will address the challenge posed by electronic waste (e-waste) in Ireland.  Using a political economy lens, the project aims to deepen understanding of the environmental, health, and socio-economic risks associated with the current handling of e-waste and to develop sustainable, policy-driven strategies for its mitigation aligned with Ireland’s environmental and climate objectives.

This project focuses on three primary objectives:

• Tracking and Analysis: We will monitor the flow of e-waste from Ireland to key developing countries, analysing the environmental and health impacts in these regions through comprehensive field studies.
• Stakeholder Engagement: By engaging with policymakers and environmental organisations both within Ireland and abroad, the project seeks to gather new insights and support collaborative approaches to e-waste management.
• Development of Mitigation Strategies: Utilising data gathered, and insights gained, we aim to develop and propose strategies that mitigate the risks associated with e-waste. These strategies will prioritise sustainability and feasibility, considering the socio-economic contexts of both Ireland and the recipient countries.

The project will apply global political economy lens to understand the broader impacts of Ireland’s e-waste policies. This approach will consider not only the local but also the international consequences of e-waste disposal and recycling practices, highlighting the interconnectedness of global supply chains and the shared responsibility in addressing the challenges of e-waste.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

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

• Conduct fieldwork to assess environmental, health, and social risks associated with Ireland’s e-waste exports, employing appropriate qualitative and interview-based methods.
• Engage with policymakers, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders in Ireland and internationally to evaluate policy, legal, ethical, and regulatory risks.
• Gather and analyse data on e-waste exports to middle- and low-income countries.
• Translate fieldwork and stakeholder engagement findings into high-quality academic publications and policy outputs, contributing to the project’s overall impact.
• Participate in collaborative and team-based research activities with principal investigators, project postdoctoral researchers, and other collaborators.
• Present research findings at seminars, workshops and conferences.
• Organise and participate in annual stakeholder event associated with the project.
• Contribute to project-related media outputs, including managing the project’s website and social media presence to disseminate findings effectively.

Minimum Criteria

Applicants should have a PhD in in social sciences, including disciplines such as politics, sociology, geography, or related fields. 

In addition, it is desirable that the candidate has experience in conducting fieldwork and interview-based research, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and has previously conducted research related to environmental risk and/or waste governance.

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 the supervision of undergraduate students

Essential Training 

The postholder will be required to undertake the following essential compliance training: Orientation, Health & Safety, Data Protection (GDPR) and all Cyber Security Awareness Training.  Other training may need to be undertaken when required. 

Salary Scale:

IUA Postdoctoral Researcher Salary Scale - €44,847 (Point 1) 

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

Closing date:  Monday 13th January 2025

For more information on DCU and benefits, please visit Why work at DCU? 

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

Dr Michael Breen, Co-Director, Anti-Corruption Research Centre, Dublin City University (michael.breen@dcu.ie)

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