Postdoctoral Research Associate (Literacy) | Edinburgh

About Position/Job

The University of Edinburgh invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (Literacy) to join the innovative UKRI-funded project “Rewriting wor(l)ds: A transdisciplinary and participatory investigation of how poetry can support young people’s literacy engagement and wellbeing”. Led by Dr Patrick Errington (UKRI Future Leaders Fellow) with co-lead Prof. Sarah McGeown, this role is ideal for early-career researchers with a PhD in Education, Literature, or a relevant field. The post offers a full-time fixed-term contract from 5 January 2026 to 30 November 2029, based at the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures. You will lead the literacy and co-production workstream, engage with young people (12–18 years) across the UK, conduct interviews and workshops, analyse qualitative data, and contribute to academic outputs and a mobile reading/writing app called ReWriter. Hybrid and flexible working options are available.

Position/Job Details

Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate (Literacy)
Institution: University of Edinburgh
Department: School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures
Research Field: Literacy, Education, Literature, Participatory Research
Location: Edinburgh, Central Area, Midlothian, United Kingdom (Hybrid working)
Number of Posts: 1
Job Type: Full-time, Fixed Term
Start Date (Anticipated): 5 January 2026
Working Hours: 35 hours per week
Salary Range: £41,064 – £48,822 per annum
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD

Research Area

Literacy engagement and wellbeing of young people (12–18)
Participatory and co-production research methodologies
Creative reading and writing interventions
Qualitative data collection and analysis
Development of digital literacy tools (mobile app intervention)

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD (completed or thesis submitted) in Education, Literature, or relevant field
Experience working with young people (12–18 years), ideally in reading/writing or co-production settings
Strong qualitative research skills, including interviews and data analysis
Ability to work independently while collaborating within an interdisciplinary team

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in mixed methods or transdisciplinary research
Interest in poetry, literacy, and digital interventions
Enthusiasm for mentoring, knowledge sharing, and community engagement

Key Responsibilities

Lead literacy and co-production workstream
Conduct one-on-one interviews, workshops, and post-workshop group questionnaires
Analyse and synthesise qualitative data
Collaborate with young person researcher team and project partners
Contribute to academic publications, advocacy initiatives, and app development
Participate in training, mentorship, and skill-building opportunities

Application Process

How to Apply:

Submit your CV (up to 5 pages) and cover letter (up to 2 pages) clearly addressing how you meet the essential and desired criteria. Include the Job ID 13176 in your application. Only applicants meeting all essential criteria will be shortlisted.

Required Documents: