Research Associate in Access to Information

The Constitution Unit are advertising the following job vacancy:

The Constitution Unit plays a leading role in the research of freedom of information in the UK. We are looking for a new Research Associate to lead and develop our work in this area. The Associate’s main task will be leading an ESRC-funded evaluative study of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, exploring whether the act has met the objectives set out for it and how it has impacted the Whitehall model. The Associate will also be in charge of coordinating an annual conference for FOI practitioners.

The post is funded from the research grant that funds the aforementioned project, profits from the annual conference, and income from consultancy work. In order to ensure the viability of the position, the Associate will be expected to write research proposals and submit them to research funding organisations. Future research topics could include local government and FOI; FOI and Parliament; FOI and public procurement; etc. There is also opportunity for bidding for consultancy projects, most of which are offered by public sector organisations. Successful bids would be carried out by the Associate, a Research Assistant and members of a team of ten FOI consultants affiliated with the Unit who are interested in information policy.

Candidates must be knowledgeable about and interested in freedom of information. They should also be familiar with data protection, information policy in general, e-government and records management. The successful candidate may have worked in FOI in an academic or professional capacity. Ability to generate research, conference, and consultancy income is essential, as is initiative, and the ability to work with the Unit’s team of FOI consultants. Secondments welcome.

Continuation of the post is dependent on generating sufficient revenue. Salary is in the Grade 7 range of £26,666 – 32,796 plus £2,572 London allowance per annum.

Closing date: Monday 17 September at 5.00pm. Interviews will be held at UCL in the week 24 to 28 September.

Please see the job description for further details on our website www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit

Applications should be sent to Victoria Spence at v.spence@ucl.ac.uk (0207 679 4977). Informal enquiries should be addressed to Sarah Holsen on 0207 679 4974.