The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the 3-year project ‘Amplifying the mental health of Black university students: A Black, Mad and Disability Studies Intersectional Inquiry’, funded by the Economic Social and Research Council. This project will investigate and address Black students’ poor mental health across the lifecycle at 4 institutions (Durham University, University of Nottingham, University of East London, and University of Hertfordshire). Through the project, the research team will theorise and develop innovative methodologies to tackle this issue in dialogue with Black students, university wellbeing services, and third sector organisations.

The successful applicant will be based at the School of Education, University of Sheffield,, working closely with Dr Antonios Ktenidis. They will lead data collection, including participant recruitment and fieldwork, manage the day-to-day running of the project, maintain contacts with universities, and support the analysis of Black students’ experiences. They will also support the dissemination of the findings of the project and will engage in academic journal writing with the core team to support their own academic careers. The post-holder will have the further opportunity to participate in and contribute to iHuman, an interdisciplinary research institute based in the School of Education.  

Main duties and responsibilities

• To co-facilitate (with the project team and Narrative Practices Lab based at the University of Durham) creative narrative methods workshops that elicit Black students’ experiences of wellbeing.
• To collect and analyse data from Black student participants’ creative output.
• To develop and integrate Black student-centred, anti-racist narrative analysis into the project.
• Attend project meetings and research advisory group meetings.
• Contribute to conference presentations, practitioner workshops and research advisory group meetings, as well as assisting in the running of them.
• To maintain communication across the four universities and non-academic partners.
• Assist in the writing of the project website/blog, newsletters, reports and scholarly publications.
• To work with the research team to identify areas for research and develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification 

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in late February. This will consist of a task and an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage in March. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact edc-ops@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 08/03/2026 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.