Location: York 

Salary: £34,610 to £39,906 per annum (£17,305 to £19,953 pro rata)

Introduction to YSJ university

York St John is an ambitious, modern university at the heart of historic York and there has never been a more exciting time to join us.

As one of the fastest growing universities in the UK over recent years, we have a new strategy for the next decade, emphasising our commitment to widening opportunity through the power of education and contributing our talents to creating a fairer world, and a more prosperous region. We are putting inspirational learning and impactful research at the heart of this strategy, recognising our academic expertise as our greatest asset.

The School

Production sits within the School of the Arts at York St John University. Our core undergraduate programmes include Media Production, Film and TV Production, Music Production, Journalism and Sports Journalism along with postgraduate programmes in both Media and Music Production.

Across our programmes, we emphasise research and professional practice informed teaching through inclusive pedagogies, the development of employability skills via applied learning, and authentic assessment through industry partnerships. We work in specialist spaces, including film, TV, radio and recording studios, edit suites, alongside a wide range of state-of-the-art creative spaces for theatre, performance, digital making (including animation, games, VR, AR, and digital media), and art (including dark rooms). We maintain relationships with BBC Introducing, the Yorkshire and NorthEast Film Archive, Screen Yorkshire and the BAFTA-qualifying Aesthetica Short Film Festival. The school is home to a vibrant culture of creative practice-based research across a wide range of media.

The Role

We are seeking to appoint an Academic Associate in Media Production to start September 2026.
 As an Academic Associate you will undertake a Practice-led PhD within the School of the Arts whilst also being employed by the University to support teaching and assessment on our undergraduate programmes (0.5 FTE).

The Academic Associate is a fixed-term position for four-years and includes a UK tuition fee waiver/scholarship for a full-time Practice-led PhD. Please note that a condition of the post is full time study.

Timetabled teaching duties during our two semesters will not exceed six contact hours per week on two working days, and may include delivery of seminars, workshops and tutorials.

Training is provided to support Academic Associates develop their teaching-related skills and professional competencies alongside their doctoral research.

We are inviting Academic Associates to conduct a Practice-led PhD under the supervision of Professor Steve Rawle and Associate Professor and Associate Head of School for Production Evi Karathanasopoulou. We welcome proposed research projects in and across the following areas:

• Transmedia and multimedia storytelling
• Creative Practice in and through visual/audio production
• Cross-border media practice and creative industries, related to creative activity across cultural borders, through collaboration, including diaspora

We particularly welcome PhD proposals that are strong in impact, in terms of translating their media production work into social change, social impact, grounded in principals of social justice. Impact might include wellbeing, inclusive working methodologies, and so on.

Please see the attached project outlines for further details, including contact details for the main supervisor of each project.
 
Applicants should contact a member of the supervision team before applying to seek guidance in developing a 1,500-word research proposal (not including references) as part of the application. Please contact Professor Steve Rawle by email, s.rawle@yorksj.ac.uk

 Your research proposal will show us that you understand current thinking in your chosen topic and are equipped with the knowledge and some of the skills needed to get started on a large research project.

As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive working environment, consideration is given to all requests for job share or flexible working arrangements. Any appointment will be conditional upon acceptance to a PhD programme at York St John University.

Required Skills and Experience

• UK undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with first-class or upper second-class honours, and with a professional specialisation in Media Production, or an equivalent qualification from a recognised overseas institution. Candidates may also have completed, or be about to complete, a Masters course in Media, or a closely related discipline.
• Applications are welcome from candidates currently studying for a Masters degree, provided that all assessment work is completed and marks confirmed before commencement of the PhD at York St John University.
• High level of proficiency in English, sufficient to undertake doctoral research, teaching and administrative activities and to communicate effectively with staff and students.
• Your research proposal will show us that you understand current thinking in your chosen topic and are equipped with the knowledge and some of the skills needed to get started on a large research project.

Additional information

Main contact for further role details: Professor Helen Julia Minors Head of the School of the Arts h.minors@yorksj.ac.uk

Supervisory Team contacts: Steve Rawle: s.rawle@yorksj.ac.uk Evi Karathanasopoulou: e.k@yorksj.ac.uk

Unfortunately this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship however we welcome your application if you are able to evidence right to work in the UK via an alternative route.

It is anticipated that the selection process will include an interview and presentation. Further details will be provided if you are shortlisted for interview.

Closing Date: 29 Jul 2026

Programme/Section: Academic Associate

Salary: £34,610 to £39,906 per annum pro rata