Postdoctoral Research Associate (Cybercrime Research Project) at University of Oxford, United Kingdom (GBP 39,424 - 47,779 per annum)

The Department of Sociology at the University of Oxford is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the research project “Falling into Cybercrime: The Socio-Economic Factors of Youth Hacking and Cybercrime”. The project is led by Associate Professor Jonathan Lusthaus and also includes Dr Lindsay Richards, and is based at the Department of Sociology, 42-43 Park End Street, Oxford.

The appointment is on Research Grade 7 and is fixed-term for 3 years. The post is to start as soon as possible, preferably by October 2026, but the Department states there is some flexibility for a later start date if required. The Department is seeking a full-time postholder but is open to applicants seeking part-time arrangements, and the job description records that 0.8 FTE would be considered. The vacancy reference is 187326.

This 3-year project is focussed on understanding the drivers of youth hacking and the risk factors associated with hacking populations falling into cybercrime. It takes both a global and a local approach.

• At the global level, it seeks to explain why some countries are more likely to produce significant numbers of hackers, and what risk factors make these populations more likely to fall into cybercrime.
• At the local level, it takes the UK as a case study to understand the same question in a more granular way: what drivers explain why British youths become hackers, and why a proportion of this group becomes involved in criminal hacking.

The project is based in the Department of Sociology and is supported by The Hacking Games. Working with the PI and CI, and alongside a doctoral researcher, the postholder will take a key role in carrying out this research and helping to coordinate it.

• Manage own academic research and administrative activities, including small-scale project management to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines.
• Adapt existing and develop new research methodologies, and perform mixed methods research to meet the project aims.
• Prepare working theories and analyse quantitative data, along with qualitative data, from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining theories as appropriate.
• Take the lead in performing and reviewing quantitative analysis across the project.
• Assist the PI and CI with project management and coordination, as well as funder and partnership liaison.
• Contribute ideas for research streams, develop ideas for generating research income, and present detailed research proposals to senior researchers.
• Collaborate in the preparation of research publications and book chapters, and present papers at conferences or public meetings.
• Represent the research group at external meetings and seminars, and carry out collaborative projects with colleagues in partner institutions and research groups.
• The postholder may have the opportunity to undertake ad-hoc paid teaching and supervision of master’s projects in collaboration with principal investigators, with permission sought in advance for each opportunity.

• Hold a relevant PhD/DPhil, together with relevant experience, with respect to cybercrime, criminology, sociology, education or a related discipline.
• Possess strong mixed methods skills, with an emphasis towards quantitative methods. The job description states the postholder should begin the post with at least intermediate statistical skills, for example conducting well thought out regressions.
• Experience carrying out data collection. This includes involvement in survey design and deployment, accessing secondary datasets, and creating or curating new datasets based on public and other sources.
• Possess sufficient specialist knowledge about cybercrime, hacking, youths, education, employment, or other fields related to this project.
• Ability to manage own academic research and associated activities.
• Previous experience of contributing to publications and presentations.
• Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings.

There may be some engagement with youths and members of the hacking community, and the postholder should be comfortable dealing with a range of stakeholders from industry and government.

• Experience working in the field of life course criminology. The advert states that those with past research experience in life course criminology are particularly encouraged to apply.
• Experience working with stakeholders from industry and government.
• Experience of independently managing a discrete area of a research project.
• Experience of actively collaborating in the development of research articles for publication.

The post is on Research Grade 7: GBP 39,424 to GBP 47,779 per annum, with a discretionary range to GBP 53,483 (pro-rata). The contract is fixed-term for 3 years, full time, with 0.8 FTE and other part-time arrangements considered.

The University lists staff benefits including 38 days’ paid holiday, pension scheme membership, flexible working options, a confidential employee assistance programme, free University Club membership and discounted University Sports Centre rates, family leave and childcare support, and access to the Researcher Hub for staff on fixed-term research contracts.

The vacancy states no nationality restriction. The University of Oxford records that it welcomes applications from individuals from all backgrounds, including those under-represented within higher education, and that no applicant shall be unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

If an offer is made, it is subject to standard pre-employment checks, under which the successful candidate will be asked to provide proof of their right to work in the UK, proof of identity, references and a health declaration. The job description also notes that the University operates a visa loan scheme to cover the costs of UK visa applications for staff and their dependants. Applicants from outside the UK should read the University’s pre-employment screening and staff immigration guidance before applying.

Applications are made through the University of Oxford online recruitment portal against vacancy reference 187326. Applicants must upload a CV and a supporting statement, and provide details of two referees, indicating whether the referees may be contacted immediately.

• The supporting statement must explain how the applicant meets each of the selection criteria for the post, using examples of skills and experience. This may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks such as time out to care for dependants.
• All documents should be uploaded as PDF files with the applicant’s name and the document type in the filename.
• Applications will be judged solely on the basis of how the applicant demonstrates that they meet the selection criteria stated in the job description.
• All applications must be received by midday UK time on 1 September 2026.

For informal enquiries about the post, the Department directs applicants to the Principal Investigator or the Co-Investigator. Non-technical questions about the job should be addressed to the recruiting department at hr@sociology.ox.ac.uk.