Research & Academic Development Assistant

JobStart Scheme; Belfast; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A community-focused organization in Northern Ireland is seeking a Research & Academic Development Assistant to support their Research Hub by summarising academic literature and assisting with ethical documentation. The position offers up to 25 hours of work per week, with potential flexibility. Candidates should have a keen interest in education and social sciences, alongside good writing skills. The role is temporary, with an hourly wage ranging from £7.55 to £12.21 depending on age and experience.

Qualifications

• Ability to summarise academic literature.
• Familiarity with ethical documentation and data protection procedures.
• Good organizational skills with a detail-oriented mindset.

Responsibilities

• Summarise academic literature into structured notes.
• Extract key findings from research materials.
• Prepare internal research briefs.

Skills

Interest in academic reading and structured research

Good writing and summarising ability

Ability to follow data-handling procedures

Good organisational skills

Experience with academic reading

Interest in psychology, education or social sciences

Basic familiarity with spreadsheets

Job description

Research & Academic Development Assistant

THE EMPLOYER IS: NEURODIVERSITY SPARKA structured research-support role assisting Spark’s Research Hub through academic summarising, ethical documentation, evidence extraction, meeting preparation and evaluation support across educational, STEM and community projects. This role sits within Spark’s expanding Research Hub and is supervised by the Operations & Research Lead and academic partners. Includes structured training, Strengthscope assessment and regular mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Summarise academic literature into structured notes.
• Extract key findings from research materials.
• Assist with ethical documentation, consent logs and data protection procedures.
• Prepare internal research briefs.
• Support structured note‑taking at research and partner meetings.
• Maintain research folders and document version control.
• Assist with evaluation data across STEM schools, cross‑border work, and training programmes.
• Prepare draft summaries for Research Hub activity.

Skills and Qualifications

• Interest in academic reading and structured research.
• Good writing and summarising ability.
• Ability to follow data‑handling procedures.
• Good organisational skills.
• Experience with academic reading.
• Interest in psychology, education or social sciences.
• Basic familiarity with spreadsheets.

Further Information

Standard Hours: up to 25 hours per week.
Flexible/Reduced Hours: May be available upon approval by a Work Coach.
Additional Hours: The employer may offer extra hours depending on availability. This should be discussed directly with the employer before starting employment.
Closing date: 05 Dec 2025

Application Information

JOBSTART is open to working age benefit claimants who are deemed eligible by a Work Coach. If you are on Universal Credit, please contact your Work Coach via your Journal. If you are in receipt of any other working age benefit, please contact your local Jobs & Benefits Office on 0800 001 5782.

Vacancy ID 1748746
Job Sector: Education and Training
Area: Derry or Londonderry
Salary 16-17 £7.55, 18-20 £10.00, 21 plus £12.21 per hour
No. vacancies 1
Contract Type: Temporary
Weekly hours: 25
Published date: 02/12/2025
Worktime: Monday-Friday, 25 hours per week on-site with one supervised hybrid day