Research Assistant, Care in the Courtroom Phase I
Internal Applicants Only
Deadline: 7 March 2025
Dr Natalie Kyneswood is looking for a research assistant to help with a literature (scoping) review of trauma-informed court practice during the first phase of her project: Care in the courtroom: Trauma-informed specialist courts and the medicalisation of justice.
The project investigates medico-legal interventions aimed at promoting procedural justice and wellbeing for the victims of traumatic crime. In particular, it explores the role of trauma-informed care and specialist courts in transforming trial procedures, courtroom environments and the treatment, questioning and wellbeing of victims of sexual violence.
During Phase 1 of the project, the aim of the scoping review is to map how the concept of trauma-informed care has been understood and applied in criminal court settings so far. This will involve a review of the medico-legal literature on trauma-responsive court practice, judging and lawyering across different jurisdictions.
Further information about the project is available on the project webpages.
Tasks for the Research Assistant will include:
- Writing support: e.g., screening legal resources for inclusion or exclusion in the scoping review according to the review protocol.
- Editorial support: e.g., checking references and bibliographies and importing resources into Endnote.
- Data extraction: e.g. extracting data from the literature using a data extraction form or template.
- General research project support: e.g. liaising with research project members, information specialists and administrators.
Duration and hours
Working hours: a total of up to 65 hours across the duration of the project, to be agreed with the project supervisor.
Start date: 17 March 2025
Date by which the work must be completed: 6 June 2025, or 12 weeks after start date.
Reporting
The Research Assistant will report to Dr Natalie Kyneswood.
Requirements
Essential
- A good understanding of criminal law, criminal court processes and procedures.
- Experience of conducting literature reviews.
- The ability to work well within an academic team.
- Good organisation and time management skills.
- Good spreadsheet (Excel) skills.
Desirable
- Knowledge of criminal courts and legal systems in other jurisdictions, particularly the USA.
- Knowledge of the law of evidence.
- Experience of data extraction, coding and analysis.
- Knowledge of psychology, neuroscience and trauma-informed care.
- Experience of conducting literature reviews in the field of health, psychology or psychiatry.
- Good working knowledge of Endnote.
Your normal place of work will be the St Cross Building or the Manor Road Building, Manor Road. However, provided you have the agreement of your PI/Supervisor, and a suitable space to work (including library access if required), it may be possible to undertake the work remotely.
In all cases the work must be undertaken in the UK.
Please note that you will be required to complete a Right to Work check before starting work. The Law Faculty HR Team will contact you directly to arrange for the appropriate check to take place. What is a right to work check? | Staff Immigration (ox.ac.uk)
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to current graduate students in the Faculty of Law and its associated Centres and Institutes, and the Departments of Psychiatry and Experimental Psychology.
Rate of Pay
The work will be paid at £18.43 per hour, which equates to University Grade 6, point 1, on the basis of completed and approved timesheets, which must be submitted to payroll@law.ox.ac.uk by the last Friday of each calendar month for payment on the last working day of the following month.
In addition, paid annual leave will be assumed to be taken in the month in which it was accrued.
Funding
This opportunity is funded by a Wellcome Trust award (BAR01160).
How to Apply
A short CV and cover letter (including the name of your supervisor) should be sent by email to natalie.kyneswood@csls.ox.ac.uk by the 7 March 2025. Please explain how you meet the requirements for the role, and give details of your availability. Supervisors may be asked for a reference.
Enquiries about the project are welcome, and may be addressed to Natalie Kyneswood. General queries, e.g. about the appointment process, or eligibility, may be addressed to research@law.ox.ac.uk.
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Guidelines for Faculty members, line managers and students Work must not commence without a letter of engagement or variable hours contract and a right to work check having been carried out by the Faculty Personnel Officer. Graduate student engagement opportunities in the Faculty of Law usually fall into one of three categories: Research Assistant; Graduate Teaching Assistant; or Blog Editor. The University guidance on paid work for Oxford graduate students recommends that full-time graduate research students ensure that any paid work should still allow them to spend at least 40 hours per week for a minimum 44 weeks of the year on their studies. Full-time graduate taught students are recommended not to undertake more than 8 hours’ paid work each week during term-time study periods. There are additional rules for students with visas wishing to undertake paid work. Students may not work for their own supervisor without the approval of the Associate Dean for Graduate Students. Any queries regarding the eligibility of a particular student should be directed to Geraldine Malloy in the Faculty Office. |