Postdoctoral Research Fellow – home education in areas of socio-economic disadvantage

The above part-time (0.6FTE) role is available on fixed-term basis from November 2025 until the end of June 2027.

The post

The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to participate in work examining the high rates of school students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are in home education. Funded by the Torbay Medical Research Fund this post is available from 1^st November 2025 for a period of twenty months.

The successful applicant will undertake a literature review to understand the factors that contribute to the rising levels of home education in areas of socio-economic disadvantage. The work will also involve conducting interviews and focus groups with parents/guardians and service providers and use of participatory methods with children and young people.   

About you

The successful applicant will be able to develop and implement research objectives, projects and proposals and make presentations at conferences and other events. Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, and supervise the work of others as required. Applicants will have knowledge of health and social care inequalities and will be able to work with communities, families and with service providers.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.

Further information

For further information or an informal chat about the role please contact:
Professor Felicity Thomas, f.thomas@exeter.ac.uk.

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