X Research Associates in Animal Studies; humanities and social sciences

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We are looking for four innovative researchers keen to engage in interdisciplinary research, with an arts & humanities and/or social sciences background in animal studies. We are offering four 3‑year Post Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) positions, starting in September 2026. These posts arise from a Wellcome Trust Discovery Award. The project, Multispecies Mutualisms, involves working closely with a bigger research team comprising Professors Duffy, Cochrane and McKay and Dr Giraud.

In these posts the successful candidates will research the representations and practices of multispecies mutualism for health across four domains: nature‑cure (bird conservation), home (hypoallergenic dogs), food (ethical dairy) and work (equine therapy).

The overall project aims to generate a transformative reimagining of ‘multispecies mutualism’: the conviction that partnerships between humans and animals can underpin mental, physical and material health for all. Despite being associated with reciprocal benefits, lack of critical attention to the way that multispecies mutuality is represented, practised and theorised risks overlooking harms and inequalities. There is an urgent need for fresh interdisciplinary thinking to avoid deepening problematic relationships, and to promote genuinely mutualistic ones.

• examine how multispecies mutualisms are currently conceived, defined and contested in public representations of a healthy life.
• analyse how competing priorities and understandings of multispecies health are negotiated in practice.
• develop new theoretical approaches to identify and overcome potential harms and inequalities.

Two of the PDRAs will focus on representations of multispecies mutualisms; and two will focus on practices of multispecies mutualisms.

We seek two PDRAs with the knowledge and skills to research representations of multispecies mutualism. For these positions you will have knowledge of research methods such as (but not limited to) literary, historical or philosophical analysis, digital methods, discourse analysis.

We seek two PDRAs with the knowledge and skills to research the practices of multispecies mutualism. For these positions you will have knowledge of research methods such as (but not limited to) creative practice, interviewing/focus groups, ethnography, participant observation, photovoice.

You will be a core member of the Multispecies Mutualisms research team, based in the UK at the University of Sheffield. You will have the opportunity to develop and trial novel multispecies research methods. By joining wider research groupings at the institution, most notably Sheffield Animal Studies Research Centre (ShARC), you will contribute to building the reputation of the University as a focus of leading research in animal studies.

• Organise data collection in specific locations (where relevant), and then analyse and interpret data generated by the project.
• Work in collaboration with the other project team members to develop novel multispecies research methods.
• Organise project‑related events, such as seminars and knowledge exchange workshops with stakeholders.
• Engage in dissemination of project outcomes to a wide range of academic and non‑academic audiences.
• Carry out other forms of data collection and analysis as required by the needs of the project.
• Attend relevant methodological, data processing and ethics training.
• Contribute to project dissemination through pro‑active use of social media.
• Write supporting documents to contribute and support the work of the project team.
• Prepare single and joint authored…