Area: Social Sciences
Location: University Park
Salary: £31,387 to £46,485 per annum, depending on skills and experience (minimum £34,866 with relevant PhD). Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance.
Closing Date: Wednesday 29 October 2025
Reference: SOC244425
We are inviting applications for a Research Associate/Fellow in the Rights Lab, University of Nottingham. The appointment is being made in relation to the Wellcome Trust funded project “A Reproductive Justice Framework for Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Research and Practice”.
The study seeks to understand the nexus between human trafficking and reproductive justice from theoretical, law and policy, practice, and survivor perspectives. This includes investigation into if and how forms of reproductive exploitation, violence, coercion and abuse are occurring in human trafficking contexts, and analysis of the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) needs and outcomes of survivors.
Analysis will include consideration for how interlocking systems of oppression and intersecting social identities shape individual experiences and access to SRHR, towards developing a reproductive justice framework for anti-trafficking research and practice. The study focuses on stakeholder and survivor engagement in focus countries: the UK, South Africa, and Kenya.
The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining systematic evidence review, law and policy analysis, secondary data analysis, key informant interviews and participatory Photovoice and Q Study workshops.
The role holder will work with the Project Lead, Dr Lauren Eglen, and other members of the research team. The successful applicant will be responsible for conducting scoping reviews of existing evidence (academic and grey literature) on SRHR and reproductive exploitation, violence, coercion and abuse as they intersect with human trafficking, as well as identifying and analysing first-hand accounts of human trafficking and reproductive exploitation.
Candidates should have a PhD (or working towards) in a related subject area and/or a track record of equivalent relevant research experience. They should have the ability to work in a team and build relationships and collaborate with others.
Responsibilities and Requirements:
* Experience and/or training in undertaking systematic and scoping reviews.
* The ability to analyse and illuminate data, interpret reports, evaluate and criticise texts and bring new insights to research area.
* Proven research skills with excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate and adapt writing to different audiences.
* Contribute to writing up research findings for publication.
* A strong eye for detail and the ability to undertake tasks systematically and rigorously
* Co-ordinate the operational aspect of research networks, for example, arranging meetings and updating websites etc and contribute to collaborative decision making with colleagues in area of research
What we offer:
* A friendly, diverse, and supportive working environment;
* A vibrant on-campus research environment, supported by expectations that our team is based within the Rights Lab in Highfield House on University Park for at least 60% of the working week (e.g. minimum three days for full time roles) and university expectations of residence within an hour’s travel time;
* Generous holiday entitlement of 30 days annually (or pro rata) plus standard bank holidays and five university closure days, including closure between Christmas and New Year;
* A University reward scheme that grants bonuses of numerous values for excellent work;
* A commitment to staff development through the provision of training, continued support, and career progression opportunities;
* Access to a range of benefits and rewards, including fitness and health facilities, staff discounts, travel schemes and many more.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) employer. Increasing the diversity of our community is extremely important to us and we are committed to the aims of Disability Confident Scheme.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.
#J-18808-Ljbffr