Research jobs in humanities/social science?

Seanchai

My despair is increasing about my lack of success on the job front. My PhD is in history - socio-economic-political history to be precise. I did it because I'm naturally interested in all those areas. My degree was in history and politics, with the minor subject being economics. I just like reading and analysing stuff. BUT I can't get a job from this in Ireland despite being awarded a doctorate in the humanities/social sciences (and a major scholarship to fund the doctorate).

I can't leave Ireland either - I don't want to because my fiancée and family are here; I can't because I'm doing another third-level qualification in Ireland and this qualification will be vital to my securing a long-term position here. I could drop everything and emigrate but this is my home and where I see my kids growing up. Everything I've studied in uni so far revolves around Ireland. I have something to contribute here, to my own country.

But I still haven't received a single interview in response to my many applications for research jobs. I don't know anybody "in the know" and I'm easily the most academically successful (or, rather, the younger one who had the opportunity) of my very large family (most of whom emigrated in the late 1980s). Is there any hope for a guy like me creating a research career in this country?

* Sorry if this appears too despondent but my brightest hope for such a career was just crushed by a letter in the post. I know I was, at least, very highly qualified for that post.

Dostoevsky

Seanchai wrote: »

My despair is increasing about my lack of success on the job front. My PhD is in history - socio-economic-political history to be precise. I did it because I'm naturally interested in all those areas. My degree was in history and politics, with the minor subject being economics. I just like reading and analysing stuff. BUT I can't get a job from this in Ireland despite being awarded a doctorate in the humanities/social sciences (and a major scholarship to fund the doctorate).

I can't leave Ireland either - I don't want to because my fiancée and family are here; I can't because I'm doing another third-level qualification in Ireland and this qualification will be vital to my securing a long-term position here. I could drop everything and emigrate but this is my home and where I see my kids growing up. Everything I've studied in uni so far revolves around Ireland. I have something to contribute here, to my own country.

But I still haven't received a single interview in response to my many applications for research jobs. I don't know anybody "in the know" and I'm easily the most academically successful (or, rather, the younger one who had the opportunity) of my very large family (most of whom emigrated in the late 1980s). Is there any hope for a guy like me creating a research career in this country?

* Sorry if this appears too despondent but my brightest hope for such a career was just crushed by a letter in the post. I know I was, at least, very highly qualified for that post.

*Bump* I'm also interested in finding out where these jobs are. In particular, is there a specialist recruitment agency?

r3nu4l

I'm not an expert and don't know anything about your subject area but it strikes me that research positions will be few and far between (it's exactly the same in Science unless you want to do a lousy post-doc [I did for 3 years]).

What about using the PhD in another field? Offer your services as a contributor to media outlets or documentary makers. Perhaps survey and market research companies might have a use for your qualifications? Policy-makers (public service) might need your skills but right now I doubt they're hiring. The ESRI is the only place I can think of.

wildpauser

Hey, have you tried the following websites?

http://www.activelink.ie/
http://www.etenders.gov.ie/

I often see research positions there up for tender.

Good luck, I know how tough it is