Research Assistant/Associate (History)

Unist; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Part time

Job summary

An innovative project is seeking a Research Assistant/Associate to explore social inequalities related to access to therapeutic environments in the UK. This role offers a unique opportunity to engage in archival research and oral history, contributing to impactful publications while receiving mentorship and support for career development. The project encourages flexible working and values diversity, particularly welcoming applicants from minority backgrounds. This is a chance to make a significant contribution to understanding the intersection of social exclusion and environmental access.

Qualifications

• Background in archival research and oral history techniques.
• Experience in project management and scholarly editing.

Responsibilities

• Conduct archival and ethnographic research on blue spaces.
• Explore social inequalities in access to therapeutic environments.

Skills

Archival Research

Oral History Techniques

Interview Techniques

Project Management

Education

PhD in History or Archaeology

Master's Degree in a related field

Job description

Organisation/Company: Newcastle University

Research Field: History » Archaeology

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country: United Kingdom

Application Deadline: 8 Jun 2025 - 14:03 (UTC)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Part-time

Hours Per Week: 37

Funding: Not funded by an EU programme

Research Infrastructure Staff Position: No

Offer Description

The Role

We are seeking to appoint a Research Assistant/Associate (RA) with a background in archival research and oral history and/or other interview techniques to work on an innovative project titled, Accessing the Wellbeing Commons: Therapeutic resource-fication of natural and historic environments and social exclusion in the UK and Inner Asia, led by PI Dr Elizabeth Turk and funded by the Wellcome Trust.

The project analyses how social inequalities arise from differential access to therapeutic environments, adopting a transnational comparative framework with mixed historical and anthropological methods. The RA will explore the changing ways people access and use blue spaces in Devon, UK, through oral histories, interviews, archival and ethnographic research, focusing on land ownership, governance, access, and user perceptions and experiences.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early career researcher to receive mentoring, gain experience in scholarly editing, team collaboration, project management, impact/public engagement, and research networking. The researcher will develop their own research goals and manage their training budget, leading to joint and sole-authored publications.

This is a (maximum) 4-year fixed-term, full-time position, starting as soon as possible after 1 October 2025. Flexible working is encouraged, with travel required for fieldwork and research activities.

Applicants from minority and/or host community backgrounds are particularly encouraged. The role supports UK visa applications under the Endorsed Funder Route of the Global Talent Visa, with university assistance.

The project is based in the School of History, Classics & Archaeology, which offers a vibrant research culture, interdisciplinary support, mentoring, training, and career development opportunities, including a bespoke personal development plan and CPD activities.

Location: St Thomas' Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU