Research Assistant / Associate

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK university is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant/Associate in Newcastle upon Tyne. The role focuses on regulatory science and policy making related to neurotechnologies, involving collaboration with UK regulators, conducting research, and developing new guidance. Candidates should hold a PhD in a relevant field. This position offers a salary between £33,002 and £37,694 depending on experience, and is fixed-term for 20 months.

Qualifications

• Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills.
• Detailed subject knowledge in the area of research.
• Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects.
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Experience of research with clear transferable skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and publish a comprehensive review of existing regulations and guidance.
• Organise neurotechnology policy review meetings with stakeholders.
• Develop new guidance for emerging neurotechnologies.
• Assist in writing up research for publication.

Skills

Teamwork

Analytical capability

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Project management

Education

A PhD in relevant area

Honors degree in relevant subject

Job description

Salary:
Research Assistant: £33,002 to £34,610 per annum
Research Associate: £35,608 to £37,694 per annum

Closing Date: 11 February 2026

The Role

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant/Associate with a relevant background or interest in regulatory science and policy making relating to neurotechnologies to join the UK National Consortium for Neurotechnology Regulation project, in partnership with the MHRA and funded by ARIA.

The successful candidate will join the research group of Principal Investigator Dr. Luke Bashford at Newcastle University. In this project the successful candidate will work to enhance stakeholders understanding of existing UK neurotechnology regulation and inform on potential regulatory reform for emerging neurotechnologies.

The role will involve close collaboration with UK regulators, with secondment to the MHRA, and discussion with stakeholders throughout the UK neurotechnology ecosystem.

You will work to enhance stakeholders understanding of existing UK neurotechnology regulation and inform on potential regulatory reform for emerging neurotechnologies. You will review, report, and disseminate materials on existing regulation and guidance for the regulatory process enabling neurotechnology studies and draft new guidance in consultation with multi‑stakeholder groups to ensure an appropriate and comprehensive regulatory ecosystem in the future.

Further information around the role’s responsibilities within the secondment can be found here.

• Conduct and publish a comprehensive review with regulators of all existing regulations and guidance pertaining to neurotechnologies in the UK.
• Organise and maintain neurotechnology policy review meetings with representatives from industry, academia, clinical practice, and charities and people with lived experience.
• Develop and draft new guidance for emerging neurotechnologies, ensuring it is clear, concise, and accessible to a broad audience.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive dissemination strategy for all the project outputs.

Please focus your CV and cover letter on the essential criteria listed in this job description below. The information within the link above relating to the behaviours and strengths may be assessed at interview stage but not at application stage.

This post is fixed term for a period of 20 months.

• 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 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 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

• Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills.
• Detailed subject knowledge (PI to describe subject knowledge required) in the area of research.
• 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.
<>Experience in project management.

Desirable

• A background in academic/industry neurotechnology research or delivery.
• A background in regulation or regulatory science of medical devices, particularly neurotechnology.
• A background in policy making around medical devices, particularly neurotechnology.

Attributes and Behaviours

• Detail oriented.
• Time management.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.
• Understanding the requirements of public service roles.

Qualifications

• A PhD in relevant area (i.e., regulatory, policy, bioengineering, neuroscience, neurotechnology, etc.) (required appointment at Associate level).
• Honors degree in a relevant subject (i.e., regulatory science, science policy, bioengineering, neuroscience, neurotechnology, etc.) or relevant experience (for appointment at Assistant level).

Employment and Equality Statement

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 populationp>

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.

Additional Information

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Newcastle University is a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.