Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Sociology

Durham University; North East; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the North East of England is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate. This role involves developing and evaluating Participatory Action Research training for doctoral students, ensuring meaningful engagement with neurodivergent young people. The position is part-time and fixed term for 4 months, with a start date aimed for October 2025.

Responsibilities

• Provide general admin support to the work package.
• Support and develop collaboration between CSJCA and Centre for Neurodiversity.
• Develop, deliver and evaluate PAR training for NINEDTP doctoral students.
• Support development of CPD strategies based on PAR training.

Job description

Overview

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work with Dr Sui Ting Kong and Dr Alison Jobe from the Centre for Social Justice and Community Action in the Sociology Department, and Professor Debbie Riby from the Centre for Neurodiversity and Development in the Psychology department. Working across two university centres, our aim is to further develop participatory research training for NINEDTP doctoral students working in partnership with community groups / partners.

The post holder will work with the academic team to develop, deliver, and evaluate Participatory Action Research training for NINEDTP doctoral students that focuses on involving neurodivergent young people and children as experts. The post is funded through the North Ireland and North East Doctoral (NINE DTP) training partnership.

Responsibilities

• Provide general admin support to the work package.
• Support and develop the collaboration between the CSJCA and the Centre for Neurodiversity.
• Develop, deliver and evaluate a pioneer/cutting-edge PAR training for NINEDTP doctoral students based on PAR training and toolkits of the CSJCA and Centre for Neurodiversity (a potential paper output).
• Support the development of CPD strategies based on our PAR training and toolkits.

Contract and Start

This post is fixed term for 4 months at 0.5fte until 31st January 2026. Funding is available for this period only. Successful applicants will ideally be in post by October 2025.

Role Context

The post-holder is employed to work on 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.