Postdoctoral Researcher

University-of-Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Education at University of Oxford invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher to contribute to the OUR FAM project and related AI in Education initiatives. You will work with the PI and senior colleagues to advance research and dissemination in early years digital technologies.

Applicants should hold a PhD/DPhil, demonstrate strong research independence, and have experience publishing results.

Qualifications

• Hold a relevant PhD/DPhil, with relevant experience.
• Possess specialist knowledge to work within the research project.
• Ability to manage own academic research and related activities.
• Previous experience contributing to publications or presentations.
• Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and income generation.
• Excellent communication skills, including writing for publication and presenting results.

Responsibilities

• Undertake research and support the establishment of OUR FAM repository.
• Collaborate with PI to advance the project and disseminate findings.
• Contribute to publications and conference presentations.

Skills

PhD/DPhil

Excellent communication skills

Publications experience

Research independence

Funding ideas

Education

PhD/DPhil

Job description

Department of Education, 15 Norham Gardens, Oxford, OX2 6PY.

The Department of Education is seeking to appoint a full-time (1.0FTE) Postdoctoral Researcher to work on a Strategic Innovation-funded project with Dr Sara Ratner (PI), Professor Victoria Murphy and Assoc Professor Sandra Mathers for 22 months.

The post will be available from 1 December 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The successful candidate will work with PI to undertake research and support the establishment of the Oxford University Repository: Families, AI and Media (OUR FAM). This project builds on the work of the highly successful Learning in Families through Technology Project (LiFT) and AI in Education Oxford University (AIEOU) to develop an ecosystem approach to digital technologies in the early years and broader educational contexts.

Candidates should:

• Hold a relevant PhD/Dphil, together with relevant experience
• Possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to work within the research project
• Ability to manage own academic research and associated activities
• Previous experience of contributing to publications/presentations
• Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings

A research focus on AI, expertise in co-design, participatory research methodologies, and experience working with young research participants and their families would be desirable.

Only applications received before 12 noon (UK time) on Wednesday 28 October 2026 will be considered.

The University of Oxford is committed to equal opportunity and to being a place where everyone belongs and is supported to succeed. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education.