Postdoctoral Research Associate, School of Education

Durham University; North East; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate focused on young people’s mental health and wellbeing. The role supports an Horizon-funded 5-year study, with responsibilities spanning data collection, intervention piloting, web-based tool development, and dissemination of findings within academic and non-academic settings.

The position runs from September 2026 to August 2031, with a 32-month fixed-term contract.

Responsibilities

• To undertake data collection with young people and other appropriate individuals and groups.
• To assist with intervention activities, such as seminars and workshops and development of the web-based tool.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• 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 or Grant-holder and 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 plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• 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 wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.

Job description

Organisation/Company DURHAM UNIVERSITY Research Field Educational sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 5 Nov 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate, with particular emphasis on young people's mental health and wellbeing. The research project is an Horizon funded 5 year study developing evidence-based mental health promotion models for young people in education, training, and work across Europe. The project is being led at Durham by Professor Aimee Quickfall, and runs from September 2026 to August 2031. You can find out more about the project on the dedicated website here:

The successful applicant will be expected to contribute to the co-creation, piloting and evaluation of mental health interventions for young people, including a web-based tool and face-to-face supportive interventions. Some international travel may be offered but is not compulsory. The successful applicant must be available to attend in person data-collection and meetings in Durham and the wider north of England on a regular basis.

This is a full-time (100% FTE), fixed-term post for 32 months. The successful candidate will ideally be in post by 1 January 2027, with an end date of 31 August 2029.

Key responsibilities:

• To undertake data collection with young people and other appropriate individuals and groups.
• To assist with intervention activities, such as seminars and workshops and development of the web-based tool.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• 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 or Grant-holder and 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 plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• 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 wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.