Application pack
Research Fellowships
Contents
Advertisement p2 Job descriptions p3-4
The Fellowships and selection criteria and general conditions p5-7 Further particulars p8-10
Staff Chart p11 How to apply p12
OXFORD INTERNET INSTITUTE
Research Fellowships
RESEARCH STAFF GRADESRS1A (£18,265 to £27,339 p.a.) andRS2 (£25,451 to £33,679 p.a.) depending on experience and qualifications.
Applications for up to four Research Fellowships are invited by the Oxford Internet Institute (OII), a new department in the University’s Social Science Division which aims to become the world’s leading multi-disciplinary academic centre focused on the societal implications of the Internet and related information and communication technologies (ICTs).
These Fellowships offer persons of outstanding promise or distinction an opportunity to pursue research related to the OII. Applications should preferably address one of the Institute’s current research focal points or cognate areas. These concern the role of the Internet and ICTs in: governance; learning and education; scientific and social
research; everyday life and work; and issues of theory and policy that cut across these settings. Candidates for a RS1A position should be near completion if they have not completed their doctorate degree.
The Fellowships will be for two to three years initially, tenable from January 2005, but with an earlier appointment negotiable, and with the possibility of renewal.
Further information, including details of how to apply, may be obtained from the Personnel Officer, Oxford Internet Institute, 1 St Giles, Oxford OX1 3JS (tel: +44 (0) 1865 287226; e-mail: recruit@oii.ox.ac.uk) or from our website:
http://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/. Applications must reach the Institute by 12:00 noon (GMT) on Friday 30th January, 2004
Job Description
Job title: Research Fellows
Grade: RS2
Ref No: 03/012 Responsible to: Director of OII
Purpose: To conduct high-quality research in support of the OII’s mission and objectives
Duties:
1. To undertake advanced study or research in the field of Internet Studies and/or in the application of such research to policy and practice
2. To develop the OII’s research profile in Internet Studies through publications in peer reviewed journals
3. To lead in applying for research grants and setting up collaborative research projects 4. To provide postgraduate supervision
5. To participate actively in the OII’s programme of seminars and events, including those aimed at non-academic audiences
6. To participate in departmental administration, as required
Job Description
Job title: Research FellowsGrade: RS1A
Ref No: 03/013 Responsible to: Director of OII
Purpose: To conduct high-quality research in support of the OII’s mission and objectives
Duties:
1. To undertake advanced study or research in the field of Internet Studies and/or in the application of such research to policy and practice
2. To develop the OII’s research profile in Internet Studies through publications in peer reviewed journals
3. To participate in collaborative research projects 4. To provide postgraduate supervision
5. To participate actively in the OII’s programme of seminars and events, including those aimed at non-academic audiences
The Fellowships
Research Fellowships are intended for scholars who wish to pursue research related to the concerns of the OII. The Fellowships will be for two to three years initially, tenable from January 2005 or earlier, and with the possibility of renewal. Two or more Fellowships are available at grade RS1A and up to two Research Fellowships at grade RS2. Candidates for positions at grade RS2 who do not meet the essential criteria for appointment at that grade will
automatically be considered for appointment at grade RS1A unless they state otherwise. Fellows will normally be expected to reside in or near Oxford. They will be entitled to office space at the OII, in the heart of Oxford, and to participate fully in the intellectual life of the Institute and the wider University. They will be expected to cooperate with the work plans of the OII under the guidance of the Director.
Selection Criteria
Candidates will be considered for Research Fellowships on the selection criteria outlined below which cover both the candidate’s skills and experience and their research area. Candidates should address these criteria in their application.
The candidate
Fellowships at RS2 grade Essential
Postdoctoral (or equivalent) standing in a discipline relevant to Internet Studies
A distinguished research record in a relevant area in published books or articles in leading refereed journals
Ability to work effectively with colleagues and as part of a professional team
Ability to disseminate results of research to a variety of audiences
Ability to supervise postgraduate students Willingness to participate in collaborative, interdisciplinary research projects
A proven track record of success in applications for research grants
Desirable
Methodological expertise which complements or adds to the skills of the OII’s research staff
Experience of setting up and teaching courses at postgraduate or undergraduate level
Fellowships at RS1A grade Essential
Postdoctoral (or equivalent) standing in a discipline relevant to Internet Studies, although candidates may be considered if they are near completion of their dissertation.
Ability to work effectively with colleagues and as part of a professional team
Ability to disseminate results of research to a variety of audiences
Ability to supervise postgraduate students Willingness to participate in collaborative, interdisciplinary research projects
Desirable
A research record in a relevant area in published books or articles in leading refereed journals
A proven track record of success in applications for research grants
Experience of setting up and teaching courses at postgraduate or undergraduate level
Methodological expertise which complements or adds to the skills of the OII’s research staff
The research area
Assured high quality work that has a strong likelihood of contributing to the aims and objectives of the OII research interests in any topic or field related to the societal implications of the Internet; preference will be given to proposals in topics or fields which build on one of the Institute’s four current research focal points concerning the role of the Internet and ICT in: Markets, institutions and governance
learning and education scientific and social research everyday life and work
The OII also seeks candidates pursuing issues of theory and policy that cut across all these social settings.
Proposals in a topic or field which promises to add a new and important dimension to OII research will also be considered.
General conditions Salary
Salary will be based pro rata on the annual salary for research staff grade RS1A (£18,265 to £27,339p.a) or RS2 (£25,451 to £33,679p.a.)and will be fixed according to qualifications and experience.
Duration
Fellowships will be offered for a fixed-term of two to three years, with the possibility of renewal. Terms
Terms will be those applicable to research staff grade RS1A or RS2 depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. Full details available on request. Intellectual Property Policy
The Statutes, Decrees and Regulations of the University record the extent of the University’s claims to intellectual property, and the proportion in which exploitation revenues are shared with researchers. Copies of the relevant extracts are available on request.
Maternity leave and Childcare facilities
The University has a generous maternity leave scheme. It operates two childcare nurseries, although at present there is a waiting list for certain age groups, and a holiday play scheme for school-age children. The University Childcare Officer is also able to provide information about other childcare facilities in the local area.
Smoking
The Institute operates a no-smoking policy. Work permits
Under the Immigration Act 1971, overseas nationals coming to work in Great Britain who are subject to immigration control require work permits and these are applied for by the University. Permits are not needed for (a) nationals of any of the member States of the European
Economic Area (i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Eire, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom), (b) Gibraltarians and Swiss nationals (c) Commonwealth citizens given leave to enter or to remain in the UK on the basis that a grandparent was born here, (d) spouses of work permit holders provided that the endorsement in their passport places no restriction on their employment here and (e) spouses of those in categories (a), (b) and (c) provided that the endorsement in their passport places no restriction on their employment here.
The University endeavours to complete the necessary procedures in advance of the date on which employment is due to begin but the necessary consents must be obtained before paid employment can commence.
Health
The appointment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a medical questionnaire. Data protection
All data supplied by applicants will be used only for the purposes of determining their suitability for the post and will be held in accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the University’s Data Protection Policy.
Equal Opportunities
The policy and practice of the University of Oxford require that all staff are afforded equal opportunities within employment and that entry into employment with the University and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. Subject to statutory provisions, no applicant or member of staff will be treated less favourably than another because of his or her sex, marital status, sexual orientation, racial group, or disability.
If you apply for a Research Fellowship you will be sent a copy of the University’s Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (Form M1) and a reply envelope addressed to the University’s Equal Opportunities Officer. The form is anonymous and used only to monitor and ensure equality of opportunity for all candidates. It is not part of the selection process and will not be seen by a member of the selection panel.
Further particulars:
The University of Oxford
The University of Oxford employs over 7,100 academic, research and support staff across a wide range of academic disciplines. Its mission is to achieve and sustain excellence in every area of its teaching and research, maintaining and developing its historical position as a world-class university, and enriching the international, national, and regional communities through the fruits of its research and the skills of its graduates. In support of this aim, the University will:
• provide the facilities and support for its staff to pursue innovative research, building upon Oxford's outstanding research record, by responding to developments in the intellectual environment and society at large, and by forging close links with the wider academic world, the professions, industry, and commerce;
• promote challenging and rigorous teaching which benefits from a fruitful interaction with the research environment, facilitating the exchange of ideas through tutorials and small-group learning and exploiting the University's resources in its libraries, museums, and scientific collections, to equip its graduates to play their part at a national and
international level;
• maintain and make best use of the advantages of its independent colleges, where members' intellectual and personal development is fostered within a stimulating, multidisciplinary academic community, and academic life is strengthened through the provision of high-quality support services;
• attract students of the highest calibre, from the UK and internationally, to its undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education courses, widening access by actively seeking applications from students from diverse backgrounds and extending further the many and varied opportunities for life-long learning offered in the Oxford region and more widely.
The University introduced a new system of governance in October 2000 and established five academic divisions (Humanities, Social Sciences, Life and Environmental Sciences,
Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and Medical Sciences) through which its academic administration is conducted. Each division is led by a full time Head of Division who chairs the Divisional Board and major committees. The Oxford Internet Institute is one of the nine constituent departments of the Social Sciences Division, headed by Mr D.A. Hay. The division provides a framework for interdisciplinary teaching and research in the Social Sciences and includes the Departments of Economics, Educational Studies, Politics and International
Relations, Social Policy and Social Work, and Sociology, the Saïd Business School, the Faculty of Law, Queen Elizabeth House (Development Studies) and a number of Area Studies. Given this range of subjects, the division is the ideal location for the OII and its interdisciplinary agenda.
The Oxford Internet Institute
Aims:The Oxford Internet Institute aims to become the world's leading multi-disciplinary academic centre focused on furthering understanding of the economic, political, institutional, scientific, legal and other social factors shaping the Internet and its implications for society.
From its inception in 2001, the OII's vision has been anchored in the broad conception of the Internet established by the foresight of its initial sponsors, The Shirley Foundation, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), and the University.This views the Internet as a phenomenon that goes far beyond its basic technical capabilities and layers of diverse and increasingly powerful services and applications to encompass all the people, services, information, and technologies that are intertwined in this 'network of networks'.
The OII intends to achieve its mission of 'shaping research, policy, and practice' through four interdependent strategies: high-quality research, collaboration, teaching, and use of the Internet as a strategic resource. Excellence in research underpins the Institute's collaborative and teaching activities, so an emphasis is being placed in its early years on recruiting for professorships and research posts, including Research Fellows. Wide-ranging collaborative relationships with experts from academe, government, business, and industry in the UK and around the world also play a central role in its strategic drive.
Research:
The array of research topics that could be pursued within the OII's remit is vast. Its strategy has therefore targeted key areas critical to the public interest where social practice and institutional arrangements are co-evolving with the Internet. The five initial research focal points examine the role of the Internet and other ICTs in: governance, such as developments in e-Government and e-Democracy; learning and education, for example online initiatives across all levels; science and networks, including social research on e-Science; everyday life in the household, workplace and other areas of an e-Society; and issues of theory, policy and practice that cut across all these social settings, for instance standards and intellectual property rights (IPR). All OII research is characterised by: being methodologically open, innovative, and critical; having a global reach; seeking to integrate concepts and ideas across all areas of inquiry; and acting independently from government or commercial influence.
Teaching:
The OII is in the early stages of developing a teaching profile. It plans to be involved in doctoral training at the earliest possible date and is in the early stages of developing an interdisciplinary teaching strategy, such as by offering one or more papers that contribute to post-graduate degree programmes in a variety of departments across the University of Oxford. The OII offered a Summer Doctoral Programme in 2003 and plans to repeat this offering on an annual basis. The successful candidate would be expected to contribute to the design of innovative teaching initiatives of the OII within the University.
The Building and IT facilities:
The Institute is based in the centre of Oxford at 1 St Giles, an early nineteenth century building which belongs to Balliol College. The premises have undergone substantial renovation over the past year. The refurbishment has included the installation of wired and wireless networks. It has its own dedicated subnet and offers gigabit networking throughout the Institute, with fibre-optic connectivity to the University and the World Wide Web utilising the educational JANET link. The seminar rooms and meeting room are equipped with advanced video conferencing facilities over the Internet or business-class multiple ISDN line.
One workstation per desk is provided for all academic and support staff, with a common integrated core of applications (word-processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail, and access to library information systems and other databases).
Library Facilities:
The Institute is in the process of creating a small specialist library to support teaching and research on the Internet related studies. It is situated at the heart of the building with electronic access to strong research collections, online resources, such as Lexis-Nexis, and other databases accessible through the University Library Service.
Funding:
Initial funding for the OII includes £10 million from The Shirley Foundation and £5 million from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), which is supported by the
Department for Education and Skills. Additional funding is being pursued through proposals for research grants, sponsorships and further endowments.
Further information:
Further details about the Oxford Internet Institute can be found on our web site:
Academic and
Research Staff Chart Project
Note: e-Democracy e-Science project Oxford Internet Surveys Broadband in Oxfordshire Schools Visiting Chair in e-Democracy Chair in Internet and
Society
Research Associate
Director Senior Fellows
Survey Research Officer Director of OXIS
Surveys
Research Fellows (4)
Research Officer Internet Project Officer
Research and Policy Officer Planned post
How to apply
Please provide the following by post or by email:
1. A covering letter giving your full name, contact address, telephone number and email address, quoting reference 03/012 (for Research Fellowships at RS2) or 03/013 (for Research Fellowships at RS1A)
2. If applying for positions at RS2, please indicate if you do not wish also to be considered for a post at RS1A.
3. A statement, on not more than 2-3 sides of A4, setting out your current research interests and how you see your research supporting the work of the OII.
4. A full and up-to-date curriculum vitae
5. The names, postal, e-mail addresses and telephone/fax numbers of two referees (see below). Testimonials should not be sent.
6. One recent example of written work i.e. publication, research paper etc.
The above should reach the Personnel Officer, Oxford Internet Institute, 1 St Giles, Oxford OX1 3JS or email recruit@oii.ox.ac.uk by no later than 12 noon GMT on Friday 30th January 2004.
It is planned to hold interviews during the first week of March. Those applying from overseas may be interviewed by telephone.
Referees:
The University will assume that it is free to approach referees unless your application stipulates otherwise. Candidates who wish a referee or referees to be approached only with their specific permission and/or if they are being called for interview on the final short list or are in receipt of a conditional offer, are asked to state such requirements explicitly alongside the details of the relevant referee(s).
Of the two references requested, at least one should be from a representative of the candidate's current or most recent employer.Those named as referees should have direct experience of the candidate's work, either in a supervisory capacity or through a sustained period of professional interaction. It would be helpful if candidates could indicate the capacity in which their referees have gained knowledge of their work.
