Postdoctoral Research Associate

Role summary

Postdoctoral Research Associate is a full-time role at Durham University in Durham, England, United Kingdom (on-site). Posted 2026-10-07. Experience level: 0-2. No degree required.

Job title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Company

Durham University

Location

Durham, England, United Kingdom

Work arrangement

on-site

Employment type

full-time

Category

Software Engineering

Experience level

0-2

Degree required

No

Date posted

2026-10-07

Job description

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

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The Department

We are one of the leading departments for education in the UK, recognised regionally, nationally and internationally for excellence in research, scholarship and teaching. As a large School, with almost 100 staff and over 900 students, we are home to a diverse, inclusive and vibrant community. We are 1st nationally for research impact (REF 2021), 2nd for Education in the Complete University Guide 2026 and 6th for Education in The Times Good University Guide 2026.

The Role

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: https://support-y.eu

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%25 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.

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.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• You’ll receive 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.

• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).