Postdoctoral Research Fellow Ref: 43694 (Fixed Term, Part Time)
Location
Brighton, UK
Hours
Part time of 0.8 FTE / 30 hours per week.
Grade 7 starting at £38,784 to £46,049 per annum, pro rata if part time.
Contract Type
Fixed Term Contract
About the role
As a postdoctoral research fellow, you will be embedded in a supportive team of researchers from the University of Sussex, the University of Exeter, and University College London Institute of Education. The project evaluates a recent reform to secondary school admissions procedures in Brighton and Hove, funded by the Education Endowment Foundation. Based at the University of Sussex, you will work closely with Dr Matthew Easterbrook (University of Sussex) and Dr Sara Bragg (UCL Institute of Education) using qualitative and quantitative research methods.
School admissions criteria in England determine which students are allocated places. In 2024, Brighton & Hove City Council introduced a new criterion that gives priority to all students in the city eligible for free‑school meals, above those in the local catchment area of the school, up to a quota. This is the first large‑scale implementation of a policy designed to promote more equitable access to schools by young people from under‑resourced backgrounds.
A six‑year impact evaluation will assess whether this reform results in changes to GCSE outcomes for students. A shorter three‑year process evaluation will run alongside the impact evaluation, exploring the perspectives of schools, parents, and students. It will use mixed methods – qualitative interviews, observations, document analyses, and quantitative analyses of surveys and secondary data – to evaluate:
* how the reform was implemented and communicated by BHCC
* whether the reform is associated with changes in school funding, climate, and outcomes, and how schools adapt to these changes
* how the reform was understood and received by students, parents, teachers, and school leaders
As a research fellow on this project, you will oversee the day‑to‑day running of the process evaluation, including liaising with BHCC; communicating with, recruiting, and interviewing parents, school leaders, and school students; analysing qualitative data; analysing policy documents; conducting observations; implementing and analysing quantitative student surveys; and writing reports.
About you
Typically, you will have (or be about to complete) a doctorate in psychology, sociology, education, or a related field, and have experience of conducting qualitative interviews, managing datasets, and performing quantitative data analyses. You will have gained insights into issues of equity in education and the role of policy in promoting change.
You will have demonstrated a capacity for conducting high‑quality research and an emerging record of high‑quality publications. You will have excellent communication skills, and ideally experience communicating with teachers, young people, and under‑resourced communities.
Requirements
* Doctorate in psychology, sociology, education, or a related field
* Experience in qualitative interviews, data management, and quantitative analysis
* Knowledge of educational equity and policy impacts
* Strong written and verbal communication skills
Additional Information
The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. The role is a Fixed Term Contract, and work must be performed in the UK. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship due to its part‑time nature.
If you are experiencing any issues using our application portal or if you require adjustments to the selection process, please contact us at (01273) 873743 or recruitmentadministration@sussex.ac.uk to discuss your requirements.
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