Salary:
Research Assistant £32,546 to £34,132 (Pro rata)
Research Associate £35,116 (Pro rata)
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 31 March 2025
The Role
This Research Assistant/Associate position provides an exciting opportunity for an early career researcher who is interested in enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion in clinical trials. You will be working as part of a collaborative team within the Brain and Movement Research team at Newcastle University, the Edmond J Safra Accelerating Trials for Parkinson’s Disease Initiative (EJS ACT-PD), University College London, MRC Clinical Trial Unit and the recruitment platform Research+Me. The multi-disciplinary team includes of clinicians, scientists and clinical trial managers who are nationally and internationally recognised for trial innovation.
The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a Healthcare or Health Research related field (a PhD is essential for entry at Research Associate level), have experience in quantitative and qualitative research techniques, have excellent communication skills, have experience in working with a multi-disciplinary team of professionals and patients and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Successful candidates will be mentored by an experienced member of academic staff.
You will work as part of a research team supporting the build and launch of a national web-based research register for people with Parkinson’s. This will include developing build specifications, user testing, stakeholder and patient engagement and the development of communications strategies.
About Us: You will be part of the 'Brain and Movement (BAM) Research Group' based at the Biomedical Research Building at the Campus for Ageing and Vitality, a translational clinical research platform jointly run and managed by Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Weblinks:
Brain and Movement Research Team:
Clinical Ageing Research Unit:
Biomedical Research Centre – Digital Health, Ageing Innovation and Inclusion theme:
The Catalyst:
Translational and Clinical Research Institute:
Edmond J Safra Accelerating Trials for Parkinson’s Disease Initiative:
Research+Me:
To apply for the position, we will need your CV and a cover letter outlining how you are suitable for the role using evidence to highlight how you meet the essential criteria in the knowledge, skills and experience as listed in the job description.
This is a fixed term part time post (18.5 hours per week/50% FTE) until 31 January 2026
Further information can be obtained by contacting Dr Marie-Louise Zeissler ( marie.zeissler@ncl.ac.uk ) and/or Professor Camille Carroll ( camille.carroll@ncl.ac.uk ).
The Institute is part of the Faculty of Medical Sciences which holds a Silver Athena SWAN award
Please note that if you are successful to this role, you will require medical clearance before you can commence in the role
Key Accountabilities
• Will lead on public engagement activities as required for the project.
• Oversee and conduct the project and programme of research specified in the description, to the point of completion.
• Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, the postholder will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial 'added value'
• Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
• Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
• Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
• May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants
• Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute.
• May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities
• Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• Experience of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods
• Experience in public and stakeholder engagement and management
• Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
• Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others
• Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment
• Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications
• Detailed subject knowledge of user testing of technologies in a health-related field.
Desirable
• Experience of user testing
• Understanding/experience of, working with people with Parkinson’s or individuals with long term health conditions
• Experience of developing or working with online databases or registries (e.g., REDCap)
• Understanding of ethical considerations in research and experience of preparing ethical applications
• Experience of developing communication strategies including creating research or health communication materials / resources
Attributes and Behaviour
• Strong motivation
• Independence and organisational skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Qualifications
• Good honours degree (or equivalent) with some subject knowledge in the relevant area (Research Assistant)
• A PhD in a relevant research area (Research Associate only)
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 27956