Job Description

About Us
The University of Cambridge is one of the world's leading academic institutions, renowned for its excellence in education, research, and innovation. For nearly 800 years, we've been at the forefront of ground-breaking discoveries, shaping global knowledge across diverse fields. We boast 31 Colleges, over 150 faculties and departments, and a thriving ecosystem of museums, libraries, and research centres.
We are now looking for a Research Associate to join us on a part-time basis (0.5 FTE), until 30th November 2026.
The Benefits

• Generous annual leave allowance
• Generous maternity, adoption and shared parental leave entitlement and other family-friendly schemes (e.g. workplace nurseries)
• An auto-enrolment pension scheme, with a generous employer contribution
• University Staff Counselling Service
• Travel benefits and retail discounts at over 2,000 local and national stores
• Schemes to support relocation
• Development opportunities

This is a prestigious opportunity for PhD-level researcher with expertise in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, a background in teacher development and a grasp of educational practice in Islamic contexts to join our world-renowned institution.
You'll have the chance to contribute to ground-breaking work that blends dialogue, science, and art to reshape educational practice in Muslim contexts, creating impact that reaches classrooms and communities worldwide.
What's more, you'll collaborate with leading experts and gain experience in course design and dissemination, while advancing a project that uses knowledge and research to benefit society.
The Role
You will support the delivery of the Reorienting Education in Muslim Contexts towards Awe and Wonder through Dialogue, Science and Art research project, contributing to research, course development, and dissemination of findings.
This ground-breaking project sheds light on Muslim education and the potential to nurture appreciation of the natural and social world or the depths and potentialities of the human person, in Muslim children and young people.
You will help to build a platform for international teacher research exchange, gathering scholars and subject-matter experts together to create professional development courses.
You will conduct literature reviews, support the creation of courses, manage online platforms, design pre- and post-course surveys, run focus groups with practitioners, and analyse data.
Your work will ensure courses and resources are evidence-based, logistically sound, and impactful for teachers and wider audiences.
Additionally, you will:

• Liaise with content experts and reviewers for course development
• Co-ordinate and maintain project documentation and communications
• Support the preparation of an annual advisory board report
• Contribute to project evaluation and reporting
• Help prepare academic publications

About You

• Experience of successfully working in collaboration with research team members
• Experience of qualitative and quantitative data analysis
• Experience of devising and delivering teacher professional development
• A good understanding of educational practice and classroom challenges in Islamic contexts
• Strong organisational and interpersonal skills
• A Doctoral degree in a relevant subject (e.g. education, social research, Islamic studies)

Other organisations may call this role Postdoctoral Research Associate, Research Fellow, Academic Researcher, University Research Associate, Education Research Associate, Project Research Associate, or Academic Research Fellow.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
For detailed information about the role and working for the University, please see the 'Further Information' link at the bottom of the advert.
Informal enquiries can be addressed to Dr Farah Ahmed, Assistant Research Professor, at
If you have any questions about the application process, or have any difficulties with applying for the vacancy, please contact the Faculty of Education HR team at
Please quote reference JR47581 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Further information

Skills Required