Research Fellow in Sociology; Teenage Boys and Digital Media)

Organisation/Company UNIVERSITY OF SURREY Research Field Communication sciences Psychological sciences Sociology Ethics in social sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) First Stage Researcher (R1) Final date to receive applications 11 Oct 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

The University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research.

We are ambitious and have a bold vision of what we want to achieve - shaping ourselves into one of the best universities in the world, which we are achieving through the talents and endeavour of every employee.

Our culture empowers people to achieve this aim and to collectively, and individually, make a real difference.

The Role

This post-doctoral research fellow is a full-time role for upto 33 months (from February 2027 onwards) as part of an ESRC-funded project on teenage masculinities and digital media.

You will work closely with the Project Investigators, contributing to all stages of the research process, including design, data collection, analysis and dissemination. The role will involve collaboration with other academic colleagues and external stakeholders. It will include in depth qualitative research with young men and their carers in relation to potentially sensitive topics. You will be expected to operate with a high degree of initiative and independence while working closely with others as part of a collaborative and intellectually engaged research environment.

Key responsibilities will include

• Conducting systematic and critical literature reviews on areas that include young masculinities, digital media, family negotiation of digital technology use and gendered moralities and related areas.
• Carrying out extensive qualitative data collection across different stages of research, including participant recruitment conduction of focus groups and interviews, and administering of digital diaries
• Supporting various dimensions of project administration, including development and organisation of research materials, liaison with advisory groups, participants, gatekeepers and stakeholders
• Organising dissemination and engagement activities and contributing to outputs, including journal articles, book chapters, reports and presentations

The post offers an opportunity to develop advanced research skills, contribute to high-quality academic publications and engage with prominent contemporary public and academic debates relating to boys, masculinities and digital media.

• A PhD in sociology, media and communications, psychology, gender studies or a related social science discipline
• Training and experience in carrying out qualitative social research, and ability to take a reflexive, inductive and participant-centred approach
• Ability to engage with young men and their carers in relation to sensitive topics and an understanding of ethical research practice
• Familiarity with research and scholarship of significance to the project, and capacity to scrutinise established narratives about boys, masculinities and digital media
• Strong organisational, communication and team working skills, and an ability to manage research and administrative tasks independently