Research Associate
University of York
Location
University of York campus, York, United Kingdom
General Description
The University of York’s Department of Sociology is inviting applications for a Research Associate position as part of the European Research Council-funded project, “The Ethics of Synthetic Data in the Age of Machine Learning and AI” (SYNDATA). This is an opportunity to contribute to a high-impact, interdisciplinary research initiative examining the ethical, political, and societal implications of synthetic data in contemporary digital environments.
The Department of Sociology at York is internationally recognised and ranked among the world’s top 100 for sociology (QS World Rankings 2025). It is a research-intensive, collaborative environment structured around key thematic clusters including Science, Health and Technology; Gender, Sexuality and Inequalities; Culture, Value and Practices; and Language and Social Interaction.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Principal Investigator, Dr Benjamin Jacobsen, as part of a dynamic research team. The role involves conducting interdisciplinary qualitative research exploring how synthetic data and machine learning are transforming social and cultural systems. Responsibilities include undertaking semi-structured interviews, digital ethnography, non-participant observation, and archival research, including analysis of computer science literature.
The postholder will also contribute to the overall research design and lead work within specific case studies or work packages. The role includes producing high-quality academic publications, contributing to dissemination and public engagement, and collaborating across disciplines.
This is a full-time, fixed-term position for 36 months, expected to commence on 1 October 2026. The University offers a supportive, inclusive, and flexible working environment, with a strong commitment to diversity and equality.
Eligibility Criteria
- Undergraduate degree in Sociology or a related discipline
- PhD in Sociology or a relevant field, or equivalent research experience
- Demonstrated ability to conduct high-quality academic research
- Knowledge of social implications of data, algorithms, or related fields
Required Expertise/Skills
- Strong qualitative research skills, including interviews, ethnography, and archival methods
- Ability to analyse interdisciplinary material, including technical and scientific literature
- Experience in writing research outputs for high-quality academic journals
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- Capacity to contribute to research design and project development
- Commitment to public engagement and dissemination of research findings
Salary Details
£37,694 to £42,254 per annum (Grade 6)
Application Deadline
03 May 2026