Graduate Research Assistant

Eurobioimaging; Exeter; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Intellectual freedom

Cross-disciplinary support

External engagement support

Exeter Academic initiative

Staff family benefits

Job summary

The Graduate Research Assistant role at the University of Exeter is a part-time, fixed-term post funded by the Medical Research Council, running from 5 October 2026 to 30 September 2027. The successful candidate will support the MenstruLife study, plan analyses, run them in R, interpret results, and help write academic papers.

Applicants should have a first degree or equivalent, be able to present progress clearly, and demonstrate knowledge of research methods and epidemiological/psychological

Qualifications

• Educated to first degree level or equivalent in a related field.
• Ability to present research progress and outcomes effectively.
• Strong written and oral communication and proposal writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing analysis plans for the MenstruLife study.
• Run analyses in R and interpret results for papers.
• Contribute to drafting academic papers and external proposals.
• Communicate research progress to stakeholders and team members.

Skills

R

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

R

Job description

About The Role

Graduate Research Assistant

This part-time (0.4 FTE) post is offered as a fixed term contract and is funded by Medical Research Council from 5th October 2026till 30th September 2027. In line with the University’s fair employment for all principles, any further funding opportunities identified will be reviewed and discussed during the contract.

Salary will be £33,951 (pro rata) on Grade E subject to knowledge, skills and experience.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.

The Role

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Graduate Research Associate to support the work of Professor Gemma Sharp. The successful applicant will contribute to the MenstruLife study, which is exploring associations between heavy and painful menstrual periods and mental health across the life course.

The post will include helping to prepare analysis plans, running analyses in R, interpreting results, and writing academic papers.

About You

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will be educated to first degree level or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study or equivalent experience and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be able to use R to design and run statistical analyses relevant to epidemiological and psychological research, interpret results, and write academic papers.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

Further information

Please contact Professor Gemma Sharp, [e-mail]

About Us

Transform Your Career and Help Shape a Greener, Healthier, and Fairer Future

Join the University of Exeter, a top 200 Russel Group university (QS & THE World University Rankings 2025), excelling in teaching (triple Gold rating, TEF 2023) and leading groundbreaking research in the beautiful southwest of England.

We are committed to understanding different cultures and perspectives, supporting diverse leadership, and striving for social justice. We encourage applications from all groups underrepresented in our community, including racially minoritised individuals and those with disabilities. Our inclusive, merit based recruitment processes seek to embrace a diverse set of experiences to ensure colleagues feel supported equitably. With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 140 countries, we foster a culture where everyone can thrive.

You can read more about our current accreditations and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here, including our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

What we can offer you:

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines;
• Support teams that understand the University wide teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly;
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development;
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supports high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career;
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy;
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon/Cornwall.