Leading a growing research network, build your profile, and support the next generation of policing researchers

The N8 Policing Research Partnership is inviting applications for the next Director of the New Researchers in Policing Network (NRiPN). This is a valuable career development opportunity for an Early Career Researcher to learn more about policing research, grow their professional network, and work with academics and police partners across the N8 PRP.

Funding is available for a 10% FTE buy-out from October 2026 to September 2027. Applications are open to Early Career Researchers at N8 institutions (Universities of Durham, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, or York), until 28 August 2026.

About NRiPN

The New Researchers in Policing Network (NRiPN) is community of Postgraduate and Early Career Researchers in the N8 PRP region that supports research, bids, events, collaboration, and impact. It is free to join for PGRs and ECRs affiliated with universities or police forces in the north of England. For more detail and past activities and events, please go to the NRiPN homepage.

Building on a successful 18 months

Dr Ellen Reeves, Lecturer in Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology at the University of Liverpool, is stepping down after 18 months as NRiPN Director to focus on newly awarded research grants.

During her time in the role, Dr Reeves has strengthened NRiPN’s programme of support for new researchers in policing. She has established new Work in Progress Webinars, creating a supportive space for postgraduate and early career researchers to share emerging work, receive constructive feedback, and build connections across the network.

She has also developed the NRiPN Grant Writing Mentorship Programme, offering Early Career Researchers practical guidance, peer learning and mentoring support to strengthen future funding applications. Alongside this, Dr Reeves has helped grow NRiPN’s skills-building activity, including events focused on ethics, impact, collaboration and policing research methodologies.

Speaking about her experience, Ellen said;

My time as Director of the New Researchers in Policing Network has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I have been able to support policing early career researchers, enhancing their skills development and helping to build a thriving research community. It has also been extremely beneficial to my own career development, having the opportunity to expand my research networks and play a pivotal role in the N8 PRP Central Team. While I am sad to be leaving the role, it is great to be able to pass the baton onto another researcher interested in further building the NRiPN. 

About the role

The next NRiPN Director will work with the N8 PRP central team, partner representatives and wider stakeholders to develop opportunities for postgraduate and early career researchers. The role includes shaping and delivering online CPD events, supporting the Grant Writing Mentorship Programme, promoting N8 PRP activity, contributing to the annual Policing Innovation Forum, and helping maintain an active and inclusive network for new researchers.

The opportunity is open to Early Career Researchers at N8 institutions who can commit 10% FTE to the role and are interested in supporting the development of postgraduate and early career policing research across the N8 PRP footprint.

How to apply

The role description, person specification and application form please email Helen Gordon-Smith. Applicants should complete the application form and return it along with their CV to Helen Gordon-Smith by 28 August 2026. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dr Ellen Reeves or Helen Gordon-Smith.

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