The Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation (GCHU) is offering three ‘Visiting Global Research Associate’ positions to foster international collaborations with individuals and institutions working in relevant areas of urban health. For example, this may include individuals working in sustainable urban development, evidence-based health care, and other related disciplines. The positions should start no later than 1st February 2025. They must be completed by 31st July 2025.
Visiting Global Research Associates will usually have a doctorate or equivalent research experience, and will be employed by a University. This opportunity is open to Early Career Researchers, normally within 8 years of being awarded a doctoral degree, although there will be flexibility for those applicants who have had a career break. During the visiting period, they will collaborate with members of the GCHU team, on a joint project, proposed by the Visiting Global Research Associate. They may also undertake independent their own research, and benefit from the intellectual and institutional support of the GCHU, Kellogg College and the wider University of Oxford. They will be required to host an online GCHU-affiliated seminar remotely once they have returned to their academic institution.
Successful applicants will have the title of ‘Visiting Global Research Associate at the Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation’ for the duration of their affiliation. They will be expected to participate in GCHU events during that time, contribute blogs to the GCHU website, and will join the GCHU Research Strategy group. While there is no formal supervisory structure to the placement, Research Associates are encouraged to meet with GCHU team members to discuss their work, and to foster connections and collaborations.
The three Visiting Global Research Associates will be appointed for the remainder of the current UK academic year, and will be expected to engage with the Centre’s staff and activities throughout the duration of their appointment. Research Associates will submit a summary of their research activities, outputs and GCHU collaborations during their association, for inclusion in the GCHU Annual Report. This is due by 31st July 2025.
There is no stipend attached to the position but funding of £10,000 will be available to support visiting the GCHU in Oxford, including the costs of travel to Oxford, and accommodation and subsistence whilst in Oxford. The funding will also cover the costs of engaging in research activities such as organising a conference, seminar or workshop. All costs should be pre-authorised and will be reimbursed on production of receipts. All expenditure should be completed by 31st July 2025.
Potential applicants are asked to email the GCHU Administrator [email protected] with the following:
- a letter of interest in becoming a Research Associate, providing reasons for their application (maximum one page);
- an outline of the research project (between 1500 - 2000 words in length) and other activities that they intend to complete during their association with the Centre, which align with the aims of the Centre. The outline should include details of proposed outputs from the associate period, and a detailed budget (up to £10,000) and timeline;
- a curriculum vitae (maximum two pages).
The deadline to submit applications is 5th January 2025. Applications will be reviewed by the Applications Committee, made up of members from the GCHU Board, and shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview. A response will be provided by mid January 2025.
The GCHU particularly welcomes applications from academics based at Universities in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
Further information
Eligibility and status
GCHU Visiting Global Research Associates are academics or researchers who are not a University of Oxford employee, worker or consultant. This opportunity is open to Early Career Researchers, normally within 8 years of being awarded a doctoral degree, although there will be flexibility for those applicants who have had a career break. They come from another academic institution where they hold an employed position, for a specific visit to Oxford, typically lasting between one and two months. During this time, they are based at the GCHU at Kellogg College and are permitted to use relevant GCHU and University facilities.
Visitors are required to sign a visitor agreement as a condition of being based on University premises, in which they agree to abide by the University’s regulations and policies.
The GCHU particularly welcomes applications from academics based at Universities in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
Application deadlines
The deadline to submit applications is 5th January 2025.
Review process
Applications will be reviewed by members of the GCHU Board in the week following the application deadline. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed online.
Length of appointment
GCHU Visiting Global Research Associates will typically maintain their affiliation, until the end of the academic year (31st July 2025). Any extensions or alternative arrangements will be reviewed by the GCHU Management team on a case-by-case basis.
Office space and locations
GCHU Visiting Global Research Associates are expected to be based in Oxford for a minimum of four weeks of their appointment. At the GCHU, we value the importance of face-to-face discussion, and prioritise in-person engagement.
Desk space will be made available in the GCHU Research Office, or an appropriate alternative location in the College for the duration of the appointment.
Finance
The GCHU will make available a total of up to £10,000 for each Research Associate position, subject to approval, to support their visit and associated research activities and events that link to GCHU’s research interests. Appropriate activities for funding include (but are not confined to):
- Travel to Oxford to take up the position.
- Accommodation and subsistence during the stay in Oxford.
- Costs of lunch in the dining hall at Kellogg College.
- Organising and hosting an event or workshop relating to the GCHU’s research themes, for example, hosted at Kellogg College.
- Attending and presenting at an academic conference or workshop on behalf of the GCHU.
GCHU Visiting Research Associates are expected to organise and personally fund their visa, if one is needed.
Expense claims are required to meet the University’s value-for-money principles outlined in the claimant guide. This will involve pre-approval of expenses, and submission of receipts for all expenses claims.
Expected engagement
It is expected that GCHU Visiting Global Research Associates will engage with the Centre’s research activities and events for the duration of their affiliation. Following their visit, they will host an online GCHU-affiliated seminar remotely from their academic institution. Beyond the associate period, it is hoped that they will continue afterwards in an advisory capacity as part of the GCHU’s global researcher network.
The Centre runs a blog series on the GCHU website for researchers to discuss their interests and share their projects and expertise. It is anticipated that GCHU Visiting Global Research Associates will contribute at least once to the blog series, in addition to providing a summary article no later than one week after the end of their affiliation relating to their activities at the Centre.
Visa arrangements
The GCHU will provide all successful applicants with a formal letter of invitation specifying the intended activities of the visit, for visa purposes where necessary. Whilst the GCHU can advise which visa route(s) successful applicants should take, it is the responsibility of the applicant to organise their own visa.
This is an annual initiative. The call for Visiting Global Research Associates in 2025-26 will be published in spring 2025.