PhD Fellowship in Children and Young People

Child and Family Research Centre, NUI, Galway

Applications are invited for a PhD Fellowship in Children and Young People (CYP), as part of a new collaborative research programme between the UNESCO Chairs at the University of Ulster and NUI Galway. Applicants should hold, or expect to hold by August 2010, a first or upper second class honours degree in any relevant discipline such as sociology, political science, social policy, psychology, economics, law, health, education or other cognate area. Successful candidates will enroll as of autumn 2010, on a full-time structured PhD programme leading to the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

PhD Scholarships at the Child and Family Research Centre provide for a stipend of €16,000 per annum over a maximum period of four years. The stipend of €16,000 is expected to cover living expenses for students plus all additional costs associated with undertaking a PhD. Fees will be paid for eligible candidates. For applicants whose first language is not English or Irish, a language proficiency test may be applied.   

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 5pm on Friday 10th September 2010.

The successful candidate will join a team of researchers working on an independent monitoring programme on the well-being of children and young people in Ireland, North and South using a rights-based approach.  The project, commencing in 2010, will engage in:

• Monitoring, analysis and commentary on research data, government policies and publications, media reports and practice-based initiatives concerning provision and outcomes for CYP
• Strategic communication of key findings to individuals and organizations engaged in advocacy and lobbying
• Clarification of connections between rights-based obligations on the state and well-being indicators used to monitor outcomes for CYP

We are interested in proposals from candidates that adopt a rights-based approach to areas of youth development and/or civic engagement and in approaches that are grounded in sociology and demonstrate an awareness of practice and policy issues for CYP. 

In particular, we welcome proposals that explore the concept of “advocacy” as it relates to children and young people in Ireland.  The investigation could include an analysis of how advocacy is understood within different policy environments in Ireland; strengths and weaknesses of advocacy strategies employed by children’   

If you wish to discuss your proposal or receive advice on your application please contact:Dr John Canavan, Associate Director, Child & Family Research Centre, NUI Galway.

Email:  john.canavan@nuigalway.ie  or Telephone: +353 91 495397

APPLICATION PROCESS

• A brief letter of application should include a personal statement (300 words)
• 1 Copy of an up-to date CV
• Research proposal (800 words)The proposal should outline: a title/topic; the relevant literature; the research question/rationale and proposed method. This proposal will be used to assess the candidate’s research knowledge and suitability and will not necessarily be the topic of their thesis.
• Two written references are required. One written reference must be completed by an academic referee on the academic reference form  (see link below). The second reference can be a letter of support from a nominated referee. Each reference must be submitted in a sealed envelope with the referee’s signiture across the seal. References must be submitted with the application.

          For Academic Reference Form Click here

Please note incomplete applications will not be processed.

One original copy of your application (Personal Statement, CV, Research Proposal and Two Written References) must be submitted by letter post, postmarked on or by 5pm on Friday 10th September 2010.Please mark the application for the attention of:

Ms. Gillian Browne, Administrator, Child and Family Research Centre, NUI, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland

For further information on the Child and Family Research Centre, log on to: www.childandfamilyresearch.ie 

Selected candidates will be notified within one month of the application deadline and may be called for interview.