We are recruiting for Pathway Convenors in two pathways: Human Geography, Environment and Urban Planning; and Social Work and Social Policy. This is a key leadership role within SGSSS, involving a time commitment of 0.1FTE from July 2021 (later starts up to September negotiable) for three years. 

Applications are invited from colleagues at partner institutions that are pathway members. You should be a minimum of lectureship (grade 8) level or equivalent and with demonstrable experience of leading and convening academic networks.  

SGSSS is the largest of the UK’s ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), funding around 60 studentships each year for seven years, and supporting the training and collaboration needs of all social science research students in Scotland. Behind the scenes, a small core team is supported by a network of dedicated colleagues at partner universities who promote our activities and provide essential input relating to management; administration; disciplinary training design/delivery; supporting staff and students applying for ESRC funding; and, assessing funding applications. 

Essential to the success of the partnership is the 15 training pathways. The pathways are crucial to the functioning of the SGSSS and each represents a discipline or cross-disciplinary grouping. Pathways are grouped into three Hubs; Economies, Mind and Technologies, Society and Welfare, and People and Place. 

Pathway Convenors provide leadership for their pathway. This involves coordinating representatives at HEIs involved in the pathway to support students and colleagues in developing strong applications for ESRC funded studentships. As convenor of a national network, the role also plays a key part in assessing applications and identifying and delivering disciplinary and cross-disciplinary pathway-level training.   

Applicants should send a copy of their CV and a cover letter outlining why they are attracted to the position, along with relevant experience. Applications should be sent to team@sgsss.ac.uk including ‘Pathway Convenor (INSERT PATHWAY NAME) application’ in the email subject heading. 

If you would like to discuss the post in further detail please contact the SGSSS Director, Professor Jamie Pearce (Director) jamie.pearce@ed.ac.uk and/or the relevant Hub lead: Dr Kiril Sharapov (for Human Geography, Environment, Urban Planning pathway) k.sharapov@napier.ac.uk, Dr Richard Simmons (for Social work/Social policy pathway) r.a.simmons@stir.ac.uk. You may also want to speak with your HEI representative on the Deans of Graduate Studies network. The successful candidate will require a letter of support from their Dean confirming allocation of 0.1FTE so we encourage candidates to start these conversations as soon as possible.   

Closing date for applications: Friday 7th May with interviews expected in w/c 24th and 31st May.