The University of Birmingham is inviting applications for a Research Fellow position linked to the Horizon Europe-funded TRACE project, an international research programme investigating technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) across conflict, transit and refuge settings.
Based in Birmingham, United Kingdom, the full-time position offers a fixed-term contract running until September 2029. The advertised salary starts at £36,636 to £46,049, with potential progression to £48,822 once in post.
The application deadline is 19 August 2026, making this a time-sensitive opportunity for researchers working at the intersection of gender-based violence, migration, technology, conflict and social policy.
Research Fellow Opportunity at a Glance
| Opportunity | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | Research Fellow / Research Associate |
| University | University of Birmingham |
| Location | Birmingham, UK |
| Project | TRACE |
| Contract | Fixed term until September 2029 |
| Working hours | Full time |
| Salary | £36,636–£46,049 |
| Potential progression | Up to £48,822 |
| Research area | Technology-facilitated gender-based violence |
| Funding programme | Horizon Europe |
| Application deadline | 19 August 2026 |
| Job reference | 107807 |
About the TRACE Research Project
The Research Fellow will work within TRACE, a Horizon Europe-funded research programme examining technology-facilitated gender-based violence across the conflict, transit and refuge continuum.
The project brings together an international consortium of researchers and stakeholders to generate comparative evidence and translate research findings into policy and practice.
Technology-facilitated gender-based violence encompasses forms of abuse in which digital technologies, online platforms or other technological tools are used to facilitate, amplify or enable gender-based violence.
TRACE seeks to address gaps in understanding how such violence affects people across different geographical and socio-political environments.
One of its major objectives is to build a cross-context evidence base covering diverse settings and to develop a shared typology and methodological framework that can support more consistent research and comparison.
The project also aims to produce evidence-based recommendations that can strengthen policy responses, prevention strategies and accountability mechanisms.
Key Responsibilities
The successful researcher will contribute to the delivery of the TRACE project while working collaboratively within an international, multi-partner research consortium.
Key responsibilities include:
- Conducting research within the area of gender-based violence.
- Analysing and interpreting research findings and results.
- Contributing to interdisciplinary research activities.
- Publishing scholarly outputs with project team members.
- Contributing to the preparation of research funding bids.
- Supporting efforts to generate additional research funding.
- Helping plan and organize research activities.
- Coordinating individual research work with other members of the project team.
- Contributing to broader research programme management and administration.
- Communicating complex research findings clearly to different audiences.
- Supporting the project’s policy, practice and societal impact objectives.
The role therefore combines independent research with collaboration, academic publication and wider engagement.
Who Is the Opportunity For?
The position is particularly relevant to researchers with expertise in gender-based violence, trauma-sensitive research, forced migration, conflict, technology and social policy.
Applicants are expected to have a PhD relevant to the research area, or be near completion of a PhD or possess equivalent doctoral-level qualifications.
The University is looking for someone with strong analytical capabilities and the ability to work with relevant research models, techniques and methodologies.
Candidates should also be able to contribute to the development of new research methods where appropriate.
Important Language Requirement
One of the distinctive requirements for this position is experience with gender- and trauma-sensitive interviewing.
The successful candidate should also have proficiency in Arabic or another relevant language spoken by forced migrant communities, at a level sufficient to conduct research interviews without an interpreter.
This requirement is particularly important given TRACE’s focus on conflict, migration, transit and refuge contexts.
Candidates whose language skills allow them to conduct interviews directly with affected communities may therefore be particularly well suited to the research requirements.
Research and Academic Experience
The University is seeking a researcher capable of contributing to both the academic and practical dimensions of the project.
Applicants should demonstrate strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex evidence.
The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to scholarly publications and work with other researchers to disseminate findings.
There is also an expectation that the researcher will contribute to funding development and bid writing, making experience with research proposals and funding applications valuable.
The position also requires candidates to understand how to plan research activities, coordinate their work with colleagues and use resources effectively.
Why This Research Opportunity Is Significant
Technology has increasingly become part of the environment in which gender-based violence occurs, creating new challenges for researchers, policymakers and organizations supporting affected communities.
The TRACE project is designed to investigate these challenges across different stages of the conflict, migration and displacement experience.
Its comparative approach could help researchers better understand how technology-facilitated forms of violence differ across contexts while identifying common patterns and potential responses.
For an early- or mid-career researcher seeking to develop expertise in technology-facilitated gender-based violence, the position offers the opportunity to contribute to a major international research programme while building an academic publication and research portfolio.
The project also provides an interdisciplinary environment in which research findings can potentially inform policy and practice beyond academia.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The University of Birmingham states that it values diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
The successful candidate will be expected to understand the protected characteristics and duties established under the Equality Act 2010, including the university’s Public Sector Equality Duty.
The university also indicates that it is open to discussions around flexible working arrangements.
Salary, Contract and Location
The Research Fellow position is based in Birmingham, United Kingdom, and is offered on a full-time basis.
The starting salary is normally between £36,636 and £46,049, with potential progression after appointment to £48,822.
The contract is fixed term and is scheduled to run until September 2029, providing researchers with the opportunity to contribute to a multi-year international research programme.
How to Apply
Interested researchers should submit an electronic application through the University of Birmingham’s recruitment system before the deadline.
Applicants should ensure that their application clearly demonstrates their relevant academic qualifications, research experience, analytical capabilities and experience with gender- and trauma-sensitive interviewing.
Candidates should also highlight any relevant language skills, particularly Arabic or another language used by forced migrant communities.
Informal enquiries about the position can be directed to Professor Jenny Phillimore at the University of Birmingham.
Position: Research Fellow / Research Associate
Project: TRACE
Institution: University of Birmingham
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Salary: £36,636–£46,049, with potential progression to £48,822
Contract: Fixed term until September 2029
Work pattern: Full time
Research area: Technology-facilitated gender-based violence
Minimum qualification: Relevant PhD, near-completed PhD or equivalent doctoral-level qualification
Deadline: 19 August 2026
Job reference: 107807
