The University of Sheffield - Research Fellow (UKRI Social Media Data Access for Researchers)

Social Media Manager is needed in Sheffield, United Kingdom.

Client: The University of Sheffield

Location: Sheffield, United Kingdom

Contract: Contractor

Job Description

This post offers the chance to work alongside Professor Kate Dommett and Dr. Amy Orben (University of Cambridge) on a new UKRI Taskforce focused on social media data access for researchers. The fellowship presents an opportunity to collaborate with leading experts to produce an evidence base and tangible recommendations to improve social media data access in the immediate and long-term. The successful candidate will be based in Sheffield while collaborating with Taskforce members at Cambridge, York, and from civil society to shape the future of social media data access in the UK.

The role involves identifying and addressing key challenges currently faced by scholars in researching social media. The Taskforce aims to influence live policy developments and design a roadmap for future means and mechanisms of social media data access in the UK.

Requirements

We are looking for an individual with a PhD or equivalent experience. The successful candidate should have:

• A strong interest in data access, particularly regarding social media or digital data.
• A deep understanding of the legal, ethical, and infrastructural barriers to access.
• The ability to consolidate information from academic and non-academic sources.
• The capability to work with a range of stakeholders to produce recommendations for improving social media data access.
• Considerable organisational skills and a willingness to adapt to new tasks.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a wider team.

Additional Information

This post is fixed-term for 1 year, with a negotiable start date in July 2025. We are committed to providing training, mentoring, and support to help the successful candidate develop their skills and advance their career goals.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other effectively. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching, and student experience.