Postdoctoral Research Fellow

The Post

The project aims to intervene in the steep decline in Anglophone language-learning by identifying the elements underpinning successful cultures of language-learning through a comparative analysis of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Ireland. The successful applicant for the Scotland role will normally be based in Stirling, reporting to the jurisdictional lead, and will work across four Work Packages, developing partnerships with schools, project partners and other groups, and using mixed methods to collect and analyse new data and synthesize existing data sets.

The four Work Packages focus on 1) existing data and creates new datasets to explore the differences in language uptake across Celtic education systems; 2) the use of digital language-learning tools, including the development of new innovative software; 3) the attitudes and experiences of students and newly qualified teachers and 4) public stakeholder groups.

Description of Duties

• Conduct comparative policy analysis related to language education (formal and informal) between their home location and the other jurisdictions involved in the project (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland)
• Identify and access existing data sets, and design and carry out new empirical research using both quantitative and qualitative methods
• Analyse data within micro-level and macro-level frameworks of language motivation and attitudes at the secondary and tertiary levels
• Create partnerships with a network of local schools to support data collection
• Prepare scholarly outputs and write policy-oriented reports and briefing papers
• Present research findings at international academic conferences
• Contribute to public engagement and dissemination (e.g., podcasts and media outreach)
• Work closely with Work Package leads and project team members, delivering across all four Work Packages
• Participate in project team meetings, both in person and online

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• An upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) or a Masters degree in education, social science, modern languages, or other relevant subject
• Have obtained a PhD or have submitted a PhD, or equivalent, in education, applied linguistics, social science or a cognate discipline

Experience

• Proven experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods, including surveys, interviews, workshop design, corpus or discourse analysis, and statistical techniques of data analysis

Other Skills/Knowledge

• Peer-reviewed publication record commensurate with experience

Personal Qualities

• Willing to undertake additional training in research methods and other related skills as required
• Able to communicate complex information clearly
• Evidence of strong organisational and inter-personal skills
• Evidence of excellent academic English and report-writing skills
• Evidence of being able to work flexibly and to meet deadlines
• Able to deliver both independently and collaboratively as part of a distributed team

Desirable Criteria

Experience

• Enhanced skills in quantitative research methods. A familiarity with at least one statistical software package or programming language such as R, SPSS, Stata, SAS, or Python
• Working knowledge of AI systems and the technical and social challenges this technology poses e.g., large data sets, ethics
• Experience in policy-related research or engagement with policymakers
• Experience in public-facing communication, such as podcasts, blogs, workshops and social media

Other Skills/Knowledge

• Demonstrable knowledge of research on language learning motivation and language attitudes/ideologies
• Familiarity with language and education policy frameworks in Ireland and the UK
• Knowledge of Gaelic and/or proficiency in one international language

Other Requirements

• Current driver’s licence and access to a car

Additional Information

Part time (80%FTE)

Fixed term for 28 months

Grade 7: £38,784 – £46,049 p.a. pro-rata

The closing date for applications is midnight on Thursday 05 March 2026.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

This role will require a membership of the PVG scheme. An offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory outcome of this process.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on circumstances and is a postdoctoral role under SOC code 2119.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

For a full description of duties and essential/desirable criteria please click the apply button, which will take you directly to the University Website.