Research Associate – Covid Intimacies Project job from The University of Manchester in Manchester M13, United Kingdom

A Research Associate is required to work on the ESRC funded research project COVID Intimacies directed at the University of Manchester by Prof Brian Heaphy and Dr Jaime Garcia Iglesias.

The contract runs for two years. The Research Associate will be based in the Department of Sociology in the School of Social Sciences. The University of Manchester values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

The ESRC funded project ‘Covid intimacies: Resilience and viral safety among LGBT and heterosexual people using dating apps in the COVID-19 era’ will examine lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans (LGBT+) and heterosexual people's use of online dating apps to negotiate intimacy during and after COVID-19 lockdowns and social distance.

The study will provide evidence for the different ways in which the intimate lives of LGBT and heterosexual people have been similarly and differently affected by Covid-19 lockdowns and social distance; how diverse groups have developed 'new' practices of intimacy (including a sense of emotional and physical closeness) through dating apps; the impact of virtual intimacies on personal resilience; and the extent to which such intimacies mitigate or promote viral risk.

The project will combine a nationwide mixed-methods online survey with in-depth online qualitative interviews. The survey will enable the gathering of demographic data, and the deployment of the Adult Resilience Measure (ARM-R).

We will recruit with the help of community partners and social media. The researchers will collaborate with service providers and community representatives throughout the project. This will include online workshops with community partners and the establishing of an Advisory Board (composed of community leaders, practitioners, and scholars). It also intends to liaise with dating app businesses. We will produce: interim analyses, tailored factsheets for community organizations, a final report, a podcast, a short-video summary, an end-of-award event and academic papers.

Working under the guidance of the Principle Investigators, you will support research design and have a leading role in the data collection and analysis, as well as supporting partner engagement and research dissemination across the life of the project.

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments will be made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Blended working arrangements may be considered

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Jaime Garcia-Iglesias, co-PI of the project

Email: [email protected]

General enquiries:

Email: [email protected]

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.