Research Assistant for the FOCUS project (Swedish and English)

Malmö University is an innovative, urban and international institute of higher education, located in the centre of Malmö. We have around 1,800 employees and 24,000 students. Our research and education are characterised by the role we believe a university should play in an open society — to contribute to sustainability and equality in a scientifically grounded way with external partners and stakeholders. Identifying and addressing the challenges of the future are of highest priority. Our researchers and students work collaboratively to create, share and spread knowledge in order to understand, explain and develop society — both locally and globally.

The Faculty of Culture and Society
The Faculty of Culture and Society is a multidisciplinary faculty that includes the School of Arts and Communication, the Department of Global Political Studies and the Department of Urban Studies. Read more here.

Department of Global Political Studies
The Department of Global Political Studies is a multidisciplinary research and educational environment with Bachelor programs in European Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, International Migration and Ethnic Relations (IMER), Diversity Studies, International Relations, Human Rights, and Political Science. There are two Masters programs – in IMER and Global Politics – as well as two Ph.D. programmes in the same subjects. The Department’s educational programmes and research focus on global processes of change and their impact on societies and individuals. Our research environment also includes MIM (Malmö Institute for Studies of Migration, Diversity and Welfare) and the research platforms RUCARR (Russia and the Caucasus Regional Research) and REDEM (Rethinking Democracy). 

Job description
The vision of the FOCUS (Forced Displacement and Refugee-Host Community Relations) Consortium is to both improve our understanding of integration and assist the implementation of effective practices to meet the challenges of this large migratory movement from Syria. It does so by undertaking research with refugees and host communities in Croatia, Germany, Jordan and Sweden to explore and compare the current state of play with regard to integration in these four states. The research has a focus on not only socio-economic integration but also the much less researched psycho-social aspects of the process. From these findings, policy recommendations related to facilitating integration are to be developed.

Malmö University is looking for a research assistant to support the lead researcher on the focus groups in Sweden.

The tasks to be undertaken by the research assistant will include:


• The organisation, coordination and hosting of nine focus groups in three sites across Sweden (Malmö, Goteborg and Stockholm). This will include assisting in the recruiting of participants.
• The transcription of the discussions during the focus groups and the translation of the full focus group from Swedish into English.
• Other small text translation, from English to Swedish and vice versa, may be required.
• Some consultation other Consortium partners during the data analysis.

This will all be undertaken in coordination and under the supervision of the project leader.

Qualifications

Requirements


• A Master degree in the area of migration studies or related (candidates with a background in refugee studies would be preferred).
• Well-documented experience of organising and conducting interviews or focus groups in multi-sited fieldwork.
• Experience of working with vulnerable groups.
• Experience of translating and transcribing (candidates with a background in translation for academic research would be preferred).
• Fluent in English and Swedish.

Merits


• Non-academic work experience related to working with vulnerable populations and experience of handing sensitive data.
• A good working knowledge of German would be an asset.

Further information
Questions/information about Malmö University and the Department of Global Political Studies: Magnus Ericson, Head of Department, GPS, magnus.ericson@mau.se
Questions about the research project: Jason Tucker, Senior Lecturer, GPS, jason.tucker@mau.se
For general employment and procedural questions: Rebecca Nordh, HR, rebecca.nordh@mau.se

Malmö University kindly but firmly declines direct contact with recruiting and staffing agencies, as well as job advertising sellers.

Application
You apply through Malmö University’s recruitment system by clicking the button “ansök”. You have the responsibility that your application is complete according to the advertised position and your application must be received no later than 2020-03-16. 

The application consists of the following elements:


• A cover letter (one page max)
• A complete CV (one pages max)
• The names of up to three references with full contact information
• Copies of degrees and certificates

Additional information
This is a temporary part-time position (50 %) for 4 months, starting March 2020 or earliest start date by agreement.
Malmö University is a workplace characterised by an open and inclusive approach where equal treatment adds value to our activities.
At Malmö University, individual salary negotiations apply.

Union representatives
SACO-s, Rebecka Johansson, rebecka.johansson@mau.se
OFR, Martin Reissner, martin.reissner@mau.se

We look forward to receiving your application!