About the College/Department
At the University of Derby, our Institute of Education and Skills is at the heart of shaping the educators, trainers, and leaders of tomorrow. We are dedicated to inspiring, developing, and empowering professionals across education, training, and lifelong learning to transform lives and communities.
We deliver high‑quality programmes that span teacher training, post‑16 education, early years, educational leadership, and workforce development. By combining academic expertise with real‑world application, we prepare our students to make an impact in diverse educational settings.
Our staff are committed to innovation, inclusion, and excellence; engaging learners with cutting‑edge research, sector‑leading practice, and a supportive environment where everyone can thrive. We are proud to work with schools, colleges, training providers, and employers across the region and beyond, ensuring that our teaching is grounded in the needs of society and industry.
Whether through developing the next generation of teachers, enhancing workforce skills, or advancing educational research, the Institute of Education and Skills plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of education.
About the Team
The post sits within the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Research Cluster in the Institute of Education and Skills at the University of Derby. The cluster focuses on high‑quality, policy‑relevant research into vocational education systems, apprenticeship reform, teacher education and transitions from education to work, both in England and internationally. Our work combines rigorous empirical research with strong stakeholder engagement, contributing to national and international debates on skills, social mobility, and workforce development.
The team has established a growing reputation in comparative and UK‑focused TVET research, with active collaborations across universities, government bodies and sector organisations. Members of the cluster publish in leading journals in vocational and professional education and contribute to major funded research projects addressing apprenticeship systems, technical education pathways and vocational pedagogy.
The University of Derby is recognised for its applied research strengths and strong employer engagement. The Institute of Education has a track record of impactful education research and close collaboration with policymakers and practitioners. The successful candidate will join a supportive and ambitious research environment committed to high‑quality scholarship, policy impact, and the development of early career researchers.
About the Role
You will contribute to the delivery of a major externally funded project examining apprenticeship‑only pathways in England and their potential to support progression to higher‑level skills, particularly for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Working closely with the Co‑Investigator at the University of Derby and collaborating with colleagues at partner institutions, you will play a central role in the qualitative elements of the research while contributing to the integration of qualitative and quantitative findings.
The role will involve supporting the design and delivery of interviews and focus groups with employers, training providers and apprentices, assisting with participant recruitment and stakeholder liaison and undertaking systematic qualitative analysis using NVivo or similar software. You will also contribute to drafting reports, policy briefings and academic outputs, and will support engagement activities with sector stakeholders and the project Advisory Group.
This role offers valuable development opportunities, including experience of working within a multi‑institution research team, contributing to policy‑relevant research, and co‑authoring publications. Some travel within England may be required for fieldwork and stakeholder engagement.
Please note this a part time; 0.5FTE role which is fixed term for 18 months.
The anticipated interview date is Friday 24th April 2026.
About You
We are seeking an experienced researcher with a post graduate qualification in education, social sciences, public policy or a related field or equivalent research experience. You will have demonstrable experience of conducting qualitative research, including designing and carrying out semi‑structured interviews, managing research data and undertaking systematic qualitative analysis using software such as NVivo. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, with the ability to produce clear well‑structured reports and contribute to academic and policy‑facing outputs.
You will have an understanding of post‑16 education, apprenticeships or skills policy in England and an interest in issues relating to social mobility and progression. The ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a multi‑institution research team is essential, as is experience of working in line with ethical approval processes and GDPR requirements.
Essential requirements for success in this role are proven qualitative research experience, strong analytical and writing skills, the ability to manage workload and meet deadlines and the confidence to engage professionally with a range of stakeholders including employers, training providers and policymakers.
Key Contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Johannes Schmees, Associate Professor (Research) in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Post‑14 Education via email j.schmees@derby.ac.uk.
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.
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