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Postdoctoral Research Associate: An exploration of the relationship between funding and medal t[...]
Institute for Medical Humanities, Durham University
North East
On-site
GBP 39,000
Full time
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Job summary
Join a prestigious university as a Postdoctoral Research Associate to explore the intricate relationship between funding and athlete experiences in Olympic and Paralympic sports. This 9-month fixed term position offers an enriching academic environment and the opportunity to contribute significantly to impactful research under the guidance of esteemed faculty. You will engage with elite athletes, conduct qualitative research, and assist in advancing knowledge in the field of sport and exercise sciences.
Benefits
Qualifications
- Experience in conducting qualitative research, including interviews and focus groups.
- Ability to work collaboratively and manage relationships with stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills and time management abilities.
Responsibilities
- Prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs to diverse audiences.
- Conduct qualitative research including athlete recruitment and data collection.
- Develop research objectives and proposals with the Principal Investigator.
Skills
Education
Job description
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Postdoctoral Research Associate: An exploration of the relationship between funding and medal targets, and athlete experience. (
Job Number
25000663)
Department of Sport & Exercise Science
Grade 7: - £38,249 per annum
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: 9 months
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date
: 24-Jun-2025, 10:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.
Working at Durham University
A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.
As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.
We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.
Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.
Our Purpose and Values
We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page
The Role and Department
The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences is a global leader across a range of sport and physical activity domains. We were named the 2023 Sports University of the Year by @thetimes and we are proudly ranked 4th in the UK, in the Complete University Guide 2025, and 10th in the 2021 UK Research Excellence Framework (REF). We are also a QS World Top 100 department for sport-related subjects. The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences offers a vibrant, innovative and friendly academic environment for talented individuals to flourish and develop their careers.
UK Sport and Project Origins
UK Sport is the government agency responsible for investing money sourced from the National Lottery and the government, into Olympic and Paralympic sport in the United Kingdom. The British Olympic and Paralympic system has an established legacy of success, which has grown consistently, and largely in response to the 2012 Games being awarded to London. These games catalysed unprecedented medal success, however, the focus on medals historically has often been cited as a driving force for unacceptable behaviours and negative athlete experiences within world class programmes. Together with Sport England, UK Sport co-commissioned a fully independent review into allegations of abuse in gymnastics, led by Anne Whyte QC. The Whyte Review concluded in the summer of 2022, with its Final Report outlining a series of recommendations for the sport of gymnastics as well highlighting areas where improvements should be made across the wider sporting system. One of the nineteen recommendations published in response to the Review is a commitment by UK Sport to undertake this research project to explore the relationship between funding and medal targets, and athlete experience.
The Role
We are seeking to appoint a Postgraduate Research Assistant (PDRA) to support a UK Sport funded research project that seeks to examine the relationship between funding and medal targets, and athlete experience. The post holder will assist in a project that explores questions related to the nature of the demands placed on elite athletes to meet metrics of success in Olympic and Paralympic cycles.
The post-holder is employed to work on a research project which will be led by Prof. Martin Roderick. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in their own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas and interpretation of the project.
The successful candidate will work with Prof Martin Roderick as the project lead. The post is flexible – 5 days per week – and the post holder does not need to be based in either Durham or the Northeast of England. The successful candidate will on occasion need to travel to training sites to conduct athlete interviews and focus groups.
Key Responsibilities
- To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
- To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
- To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
- To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator and UK Sport, offering creative or innovative solutions.
- To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
- To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
- To engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses.
- To conduct qualitative research under the Principle Investigator including athlete recruitment, data collection, data management and data analysis. Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
- Undertake narrative interviews and conduct focus groups with elite UK Sport funded athletes and para-athletes (current athletes and former athletes).
- Prepare a self-completion survey for distribution.
- Undertake a literature search and draft review with Principle Investigator.
- To plan and manage research activities and resources in collaboration with UK Sport.
The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.
Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by August 2025
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
- 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
- The University closes between Christmas and New Year – please include or delete if not applicable.
- We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
- There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
- Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
- Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
- A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
- If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.
We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.
If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application.
The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Leader status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
Contact Information
Department contact for academic-related enquiries
Prof Martin Roderick m.j.roderick@durham.ac.uk
Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application
If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with abrief description of the problem you’re experiencing toe.recruitment@durham.ac.uk
Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).
University Contact For General Queries About The Recruitment Process
e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk
How To Apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What To Submit
All applicants are asked to submit:
- CV and a cover letter of no more than 2 pages which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the essential and desirable criteria set out above.
Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department and UK Sport.
In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential Criteria:
- A good first degree preferably from a relevant subject area, such as sport and exercise sciences, any social science or health-related degrees, etc.
- A Masters or Postgraduate research degree preferably from a relevant subject area, such as sport and exercise sciences, andy social science or health-related degrees, etc. or equivalent experience.
- Experience in conducting qualitative research, specifically undertaking (semi) structured interviews and / or focus groups, qualitative data analysis and write up.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and manage relationships with stakeholders.
- Ability to manage time effectively, capacity to work independently and meet strict deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- A thorough knowledge of the industry of sport at elite / Olympic and Paralympic levels, and an understanding of the role and function of UK Sport.
- Experience of conducting qualitative research with elite and/or professional athletes.
- Experience of conducting high quality research.
- Experience of producing and disseminating online surveys
- Experience in in producing well-written reports for a range of stakeholders
- Ability to contribute to the planning and management of independent research
- Excellent initiative and flexibility in workstyle.
- Seniority levelInternship
- Employment typeFull-time
- Job functionResearch, Analyst, and Information Technology
- IndustriesHigher Education
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