Description ABOUT THE ROLE This is an intellectually stimulating role involving a range of operational, analytical and creative tasks for a project that will conduct the first substantial research study in the UK on Jury Decision-Making in Domestic Abuse Trials Involving Coercive Control. The project, funded by the ESRC, involves activity across four work packages: coercive control as an offence, domestic abuse-related suicide and unlawful act manslaughter, coerced offending under duress, and coercive control as an aspect of self-defence or loss of control in homicide cases. As the postdoctoral research assistant on the project, you will play a central and active role across all work packages, and will have co-leadership with the project lead, Professor Vanessa Bettinson, in analysing and writing up the findings for the first work package in particular. Duties and responsibilities will include: Working with a market recruitment agency to recruit mock jurors, and supporting the recruitment of actors and legal professionals to take part in trial reconstructions. Liaising and supporting meetings between the research team and Project Advisory Group. Co-leadership of work package one: this will include assisting in the scripting of the trial reconstruction and supporting the filming of the trial reconstruction. Data collection responsibilities across all work packages: this will include assisting in the design of research instruments, ensuring data security, undertaking qualitative analysis of audio and video recordings of mock jury deliberations, and undertaking quantitative analysis of participants’ pre- and post-deliberation questionnaires. Synthesising key project findings, including writing and co-presenting a conference paper with the project lead based on Work Package 1 results and conclusions; and assisting the team with the compiling of an end of project briefing report. Subject to candidates’ availability, co-authoring peer-reviewed research papers. Please note this role is fixed term for 2-years, from September 2026 until August 2028. ABOUT THE TEAM This research project is being delivered within the School of Law at Northumbria, where there is a range of expertise in gender-based scholarship. Prof Bettinson is co-convenor of the Centre for Evidence and Criminal Justice, and a management team member of the University’s Gendered Violence and Abuse Interdisciplinary Research Theme (IDRT) with over 80 academics and PhD students – from law, psychology, criminology, nursing, geography, business, design and beyond. This IDRT specialises in domestic abuse, coercive control and innovative research design. You will be embedded within both the Law School and the IDRT, contributing to collaborative, world-leading gender-based violence research. This project is co-led by Professor Vanessa Munro, based at the University of Warwick and Prof Mandy Burton at Loughborough University. As a member of the research team you will benefit from the mentorship of the lead and the mentoring and coaching of the co-leads, who between them have extensive experience in jury research, domestic abuse and coercive control in the legal system. ABOUT YOU We are looking for an ambitious early-career researcher to join the project. Applicants should hold a PhD (awarded, submitted, or completed prior to project start date) in Psychology, Socio-Legal Scholarship, Sociology, Criminology, Gender Studies or a closely related discipline. Essential attributes include: Strong theoretical and subject knowledge of gender-based violence, coercive control, criminal justice systems and jury research. Demonstrable experience of qualitative research design, data collection and analysis. Demonstrable knowledge and experience of quantitative research design, data collection and analysis (particularly surveys/questionnaires). Understanding of ethical considerations in research about domestic abuse Excellent written and verbal communication skills Ability to work collaboratively with research team, partners and stakeholders Evidence of engagement with law/policy-makers regarding research findings. Desirable attributes include: Emerging profile of peer-reviewed publications and/or non-academic publications (e.g. reports or briefings). Experience of working in partnership with public, private or third sector organisations. Awareness of feminist trauma-informed approaches to research. Experience of mock jury research design and methods. Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact vanessa.bettinson@northumbria.ac.uk. To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'. Your application should include a covering letter (maximum one page), a CV (maximum 2 pages including publication list) and a draft of your academic writing (e.g. from PhD thesis or academic publication). ABOUT US Join Northumbria University, a research-intensive institution unlocking potential and changing lives locally and globally. Named Times Higher Education's University of the Year in 2022 and Modern University of the Year in 2025, we rank top 25 in the UK for research power. Discover more about us. With over 37,000 students from 140&43; countries, we offer world-leading research, award-winning partnerships, and an outstanding student experience. We empower our exceptional staff, promoting a positive work-life balance and offering great benefits, including excellent pension schemes, flexible working, generous holiday entitlement and more. Our Northumbria Values, co-created by our team, define who we are: Academic Excellence, Innovation, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Ambition. Our Behaviours shape our work culture: We listen and learn, support one another, respect everyone, trust each other, and are bold. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne and London, we are an on-campus organisation and offer flexible hours and location where the role allows. We pride ourselves on diversity and inclusivity, holding numerous awards for gender and race equality, disability confidence, and research excellence. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers. The University has implemented a range of flexible working arrangements, and we are happy to explore candidate requirements as part of the recruitment process. Apply now and join a community committed to transforming society and the economy. Explore " Our Exceptional People, Our Values and Behaviours " page to learn more about our commitments and see our for further details Responsibilities Work with a market recruitment agency to recruit mock jurors, and support the recruitment of actors and legal professionals to take part in trial reconstructions. Liaise and support meetings between the research team and Project Advisory Group. Co-leadership of work package one: this will include assisting in the scripting of the trial reconstruction and supporting the filming of the trial reconstruction. Data collection responsibilities across all work packages: this will include assisting in the design of research instruments, ensuring data security, undertaking qualitative analysis of audio and video recordings of mock jury deliberations, and undertaking quantitative analysis of participants’ pre- and post-deliberation questionnaires. Synthesise key project findings, including writing and co-presenting a conference paper with the project lead based on Work Package 1 results and conclusions; and assisting the team with the compiling of an end of project briefing report. Subject to candidates’ availability, co-authoring peer-reviewed research papers. Qualifications Completed (or close to completion) PhD in relevant discipline