Research Fellow in Drug Education

The Drug and Alcohol Research Centre is recruiting a Research Fellow in Drug Education to work on a NIHR funded project, A realist evaluation of drug education for 13-15 year olds in alternative education and deprived areas (REAL-DEP, Phase 3). 

The Research Fellow will work closely with Professor Karen Duke and Professor Betsy Thom. The researcher must have a doctorate in a relevant social science discipline and post-doctoral experience in mixed methods research. A strong understanding of both quantitative and qualitative research design (including survey design – Survey Monkey); experience of using a variety of research methods (surveys, interviews, focus groups) and data analysis techniques (eg. SPSS, NVivo) are essential. 

The researcher will:

 1) support project management.

 2) assist with the design and piloting of research instruments (questionnaires, interview and focus group schedules).

 3) undertake fieldwork in schools by conducting interviews and focus groups with teachers and pupils and overseeing questionnaire completion.

4) maintain oversight and manage the quantitative database.

5) analyse quantitative and qualitative data.

6) write up the results. 

There will be opportunities to play key roles in dissemination of the research (i.e. writing research reports, conference papers and peer-reviewed journal articles). 

The post holder will require an enhanced DBS check as they will be working closely with schools and children. Some travel in Scotland and England is required.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service certificate. You are therefore required to disclose details of any criminal record. ALL criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings, even if they would otherwise be regarded as spent under this Act must be disclosed, as well as any other information that may have a bearing on your suitability for the post, including pending prosecutions.

The University will apply for a DBS certificate before your appointment is confirmed.

If you wish to discuss the job in further detail please contact Karen Duke, Professor of Criminology, email:  [email protected] OR Betsy Thom, Professor of Health Policy, [email protected]

Closing Date: 23 Jan 2026

Department: Academic

Salary: £43,811 per annum Fixed Term - 14 months