Research Associate, Research Scientist

Job Details

Posted 25 February 2026
Salary Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum
Location Glasgow
Job Type Research and Teaching
Reference 193418
Expiry 24 March 2026 at 23:45

To make a leading contribution to The Rule of Law at Work:
Employment Law Compliance and Enforcement (Law At Work ) project, working with the Principal Investigator, Professor Ruth Dukes, and the rest of the project team. Law At Work  investigates employment law compliance and enforcement across several jurisdictions including the UK, Italy and Germany. It thereby seeks to test the hypothesis that widespread breach of employment rights may erode public faith in the rule of law.

Using a combination of methods drawn from economic anthropology, sociology, law and comparative political economy, Law At Work  analyses actors’ decision-making, motivations and understandings and, at the same time, the structural constraints and resources that shape perceptions and actions. In doing so, it pays particular attention to broad changes in political economy over time, to legal, institutional and organisational change, and to technological developments.

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow. The successful candidate will be expected to be fluent in either German or Italian to a level that will allow for the design and completion of fieldwork within Germany or Italy and the drafting of reports and scholarly articles in those languages.

• Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and research objectives.
• Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting reports and papers as appropriate.
• Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project, and participate in the development and implementation of a suitable research strategy to meet research objectives and produce project deliverables.
• Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance the team’s research and/or impact profile. Take a leading role in team meetings, seminars and workshops.
• Take a lead in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
• Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including updating and population of the project website and social media.
• Establish and maintain your own research profile and reputation and that of the University of Glasgow, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
• Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the subject areas.
• Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by your line manager and the Head of School.
• Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with University strategy.

• A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD), in sociology, law or an associated field, plus a track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.
• A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the study of employment law and/or employment relations and the sociology of work.
• A3 Well‑developed working knowledge of research methods…