Post-Study: Post-Doctoral Researcher Call

Post-Study:
Post-Doctoral Researcher Call Out

£20,000 (pay envelope for researcher) + additional resources

As part of the Post-Study research project , we are seeking a post-doctoral researcher to lead and deliver a 9-month project investigating the post-study landscape for undergraduate and postgraduate alumni (1–5 years post-study) from London area visual and performance art programmes.

The role will combine data collection, stakeholder engagement and qualitative analysis to inform understanding of graduates’ needs to retain and professionalise talent within our sectors.

The role will be supported by the Live Art Development Agency (LADA), Queen Mary University of London’s Department of Drama & English (QMUL) and the Post-Study Network (a temporary network of London based Cultural SMEs and HEIs). The Network will provide strategic oversight, support in amplifying the reach of the research, and distribution of findings.

The successful candidate will be supervised by Mary Osborn, Director (LADA) and Dr Martin O’Brien, Head of the Department of Drama (QMUL).

This is an exciting opportunity for an early- or mid-career researcher with strong qualitative and organisational skills, capable of designing and executing a project that includes roundtable discussions and 1:1 interviews, survey analysis and stakeholder engagement.

This research project is made possible with funding from Arts Council England.

Post-Study is a new research project exploring how early-career practitioners working in Live Art and Interdisciplinary Performance can build sustainable careers and engage in lifelong learning after finishing their studies.

Led by the Live Art Development Agency and Queen Mary University of London with funding from Arts Council England, the project will listen to current final year undergraduate and postgraduate students, and recent graduates to understand what support is most needed – and where the gaps are.

We’re asking a simple but urgent question:
How do Live Art practitioners transition from study into sustainable careers in the creative industries?

The 9-month research period begins following the successful recruitment of the Post-Doctoral candidate.

Applications are due 20 February 2026. Interviews will take place the first or second week of March 2026. Ideally, the candidate can start from April 2026 with the 9-month period beginning in April 2026 and ending in December 2026. LADA and QMUL understand that there may be necessary delays in on-boarding and/or previously scheduled events in the candidates life that requires the research period timeline to shift.

In creating your application, articulate when you can start and identify milestones for a 9-month period from that date, recognising a final schedule will be agreed during contracting.

LADA’s previous research project (2021’s Live Art Sector Research ) identified multiple gaps in provision for post-doctoral students in visual arts and performance. As such, LADA and QMUL are interested in a researcher (early- or mid- career) who is completing (submission and or viva between February 2026 and April 2026) or has completed (no stipulation on completion date) a PhD in an appropriate field of study.

If you are completing a PhD by April 2026 you can submit an application. If you have obtained a PhD prior to April 2026 you can submit an application.

The successful candidate will be employed by LADA as a freelancer. QMUL’s Department of Drama and English are partnering in an advisory capacity.

Candidates will have their researcher supervised by Dr Martin O’Brien (QMUL) and Mary Osborn (LADA).

Through our partnership, the successful candidate will have access to QMUL’s physical and digital library resources.

Your CV can be academic or narrative.

Your CV should be a separate attachment to the 3-page proposal and can be any length appropriate to demonstrate your experience and skills.