Post-doctoral Research Fellow

About the role

This is an intellectually stimulating and socially impactful role, situated at the intersection of criminology, social policy and feminist studies of gender-based violence. Working as part of an interdisciplinary and cross-sector team, you will support Dr Wiper (Project Lead) in delivery of research activities on the Coerced Debt: A Coordinated Cross Sector Responses in England and Wales project.

You will play a central and active role across all three phases of the project:

• Rapid review of existing evidence followed by empirical data collection (interviews, survey and focus groups with victim-survivors, frontline practitioners and sector professionals) to build new knowledge about women’s experiences of coerced debt & institutional responses.
• Co-designing with victim-survivors and key stakeholders (via a series of policy labs) a cross-sector response framework for addressing, preventing and remedying coerced debt in England and Wales.
• Finalising and disseminating evidence-based guidance and tools (e.g., via briefings, webinars, infographics, presentations) to support a coordinated cross-sector response to coerced debt in England and Wales.

The role offers opportunities to co-author publications, lead elements of project outputs, present at major national and international conferences, and engage with policy stakeholders. Further information on roles and responsibilities can be found in the person specification. This role is fixed term for 3 years from 1/9/2026 until 31/8/2029.

This research project is delivered within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, with expertise in gender-based violence scholarship. Dr Wiper co-leads the University's Gendered Violence and Abuse Interdisciplinary Research Theme with over 80 academics and PhD students—specialising in domestic abuse, economic abuse, tech-facilitated abuse and coercive control. You will be embedded within both settings, contributing to collaborative, world-leading gender-based violence research.

This project is delivered in partnership with Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA). You will work closely with Dr Royal (Project Co-Lead) and her Research Assistant, as well as the broader SEA team.

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 Criminology, Sociology, Social Policy, Gender Studies or a closely related discipline.

• Strong theoretical and subject knowledge of gender-based violence, economic abuse and coercive control
• Demonstrable experience of qualitative research design, data collection and analysis
• Understanding of ethical considerations in research with victim-survivors of abuse
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with research team, partners & stakeholders

• Emerging profile of peer-reviewed publications and/or non-academic publications (e.g. reports, briefings)
• Experience of working in partnership with public, private or third sector organisations
• Awareness of feminist trauma-informed approaches to research
• Experience of participatory design or co-production research methods

Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification. If you have any questions about the role, please contact cl To apply for this vacancy please click "Apply Now". With your application, please include the following:

• Your CV (maximum two pages, including a publication list)
• A cover letter (maximum one page) addressing the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification and explaining why you are applying for this post.
• A draft of your academic writing (e.g., from PhD thesis or academic publication)

Final date to receive applications:
Monday 22 June rtlisted applicants will be invited to interview between 1-3 July. We welcome applications from the UK and across the world. Details about relocation assistance are available.

Join Northumbria University, a research-intensive institution unlocking potential and changing lives locally and globally. The university has received recognition such as Times Higher Education University of the Year (2022) and Modern University of the Year (2025). We offer world-leading research, award-winning partnerships, and an outstanding student experience, with a focus on diversity and inclusivity. Flexible working arrangements and location options are available as part of the recruitment process.

Our values are Academic Excellence, Innovation, Inclusivity, Collaboration and Ambition. Our behaviours emphasize listening, learning, supporting one another, respecting everyone, and being bold.