We are looking to hire a postdoctoral researcher to work on the project. The project uses previously overlooked longitudinal qualitative data from the Mass Observation Archive (MOA) to answer a fundamental research question: how do political understandings develop over the life course? It follows various individuals who wrote for the Mass Observation Project from the early 1980s to the present day, tracing their political development – the development of their political understandings, interests, preferences, habits, and identities – and the role of events, material circumstances, and cultural frames in this development. In doing so, the project aims to contribute a fresh perspective on emerging age divisions and the development of ‘grey power’ in British politics. 

We are seeking a social scientist or historian: 

– To assist in managing the project. 

– To collect qualitative material from the Mass Observation Archive at the University of Sussex. 

– To assist in analysing this material using NVivo and biographical analysis. 

– To participate in dissemination of findings via academic conferences and journal papers. 

About You 

You will have or be about to obtain* a PhD in Politics, History, or a related subject (thesis must be completed before commencement of employment). You will have experience in qualitative research methods, as well as British politics and/or modern British history. You will have excellent communication skills and proven capacity to write and present research papers in various academic formats.  

Please contact Dr Jonathan Moss (j.moss@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquiries. 

Applications should be accompanied by a full CV, a sample of writing, and the names of two academic references

Click here to apply.