Senior Researcher role for LivePlatforms: Livelihoods in the Platform Economy Ecosystem project.
Closing date: 12:00 noon (local Irish time) on the 5th of January 2026.
Further details and to apply: www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs
College | Management Unit: UCD College of Social Sciences and Law
School | Unit: UCD School of Information and Communication Studies
Post Title & Subject Area (if relevant): Senior Researcher
Project: LivePlatforms: Livelihoods in the Platform Economy Ecosystem
Post Duration: Temporary 56 months (Full-Time)
Line Manager: Professor Kylie Jarrett
Competition Ref. N⁰: 019165
Position Summary:
This is an advanced academic research role, building on your prior experience as a post-doctoral researcher, where you will conduct a specified programme of research related to the ERC funded LivePlatforms project under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator.
The project will investigate the experiences of people earning incomes within the platform economy - location-based workers such as delivery riders, online creators such as influencers, online workers such as clickworkers, and platform traders such as second-hand clothing sellers - in order to identify and critically evaluate the various actors involved in shaping this work and livelihoods within it. The project will involve a team of researchers based in UCD researching the national Irish context, initially using biographical interview methods. For more information: https://www.ucd.ie/research/news/2025/ucdexpertsawardedercadvancedgrantsforcutting-edgeresearch/
The primary purpose of the role is to advance the research agenda of the LivePlatforms project, develop new or advanced research skills and competences, contribute to peer-reviewed academic publications and other forms of scholarly dissemination, the development of future funding proposals, and the supervision and mentorship of graduate students, along with the opportunity to develop your professional skills.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
• Conduct a specified programme of research and scholarship under the supervision and direction of your Principal Investigator.
• Engage in appropriate training and professional development opportunities as required by your Principal Investigator, your School or Institute, or the University.
• Support your Principal Investigator and research group in the design and development of the research programme.
• Support if required, the development of proposals for research funding or initiate your own.
• Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which you are engaged both individually or as part of the research team, under the guidance of the PI.
• Engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of your research group, School and Institute.
• Take responsibility as requested for day-to-day advice and support of graduate research students associated with your research group.
• Mentor and assist, as appropriate and as directed, the research graduate students in your School and Institute.
• Carry out administrative and management work associated with your programme of research.
Application Procedure:
• Applicants should submit a CV and covering letter addressing selection criteria and which includes a sample of a published academic output.
Fixed Salary:
€54,900 Per Annum
Details on eligibility to compete and pension information is available at https://www.ucd.ie/hr/resourcing/eligibilitytocompete/
UCD is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone is afforded equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from everyone, including those who identify with any of the protected characteristics that are set out in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy. Learn more about Diversity at https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/diversity/
Reasonable accommodations will be provided to any applicant during the interview process who discloses they have a disability or are neurodiverse.
Selection Criteria:
Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.
Mandatory:
• PhD in Media Studies, Sociology, Geography or other cognate discipline.
• 2 years minimum postdoctoral research experience.
• Experience researching one or more of the following forms of platform-mediated work - location-based work (such as delivery riding or care work); online creation (such as influencers or cultural production); online work (such as clickworking or freelancing).
• Experience with ethnographic research methods.
• Demonstrated understanding of requirements of a successful research project, including managing resources.
• Track record of publishing in international scholarly publications and/or other research dissemination.
• Proven record of working with team members and PhD students to help build their research skills and knowledge and to support and guide their professional development.
• Candidates must demonstrate an awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.
Desirable:
• Experience with biographical or life history interview methods.
• Knowledge and application of the principles underpinning successful grant applications.
• Fluency with Portuguese language.
• Knowledge of Irish labour contexts.
Supplementary information:
The University: https://www.ucd.ie/
UCD Strategy 2030: Breaking Boundaries (opens in a new window)https://strategy.ucd.ie/
The College/Management Unit: https://www.ucd.ie/socscilaw/
The School/Programme Office/Unit: https://www.ucd.ie/ics/
Equality Diversity and Inclusion at UCD: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/diversity/
European Research Council - funding body: (opens in a new window)https://erc.europa.eu/homepage
Informal Enquiries ONLY to:
Name: Dr Kylie Jarrett
Title: Professor of Information and Communication Studies
Email address: (opens in a new window)kylie.jarrett1@ucd.ie