Research Assistant - Engineering

University of Greater Manchester; Bolton; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Bolton is seeking a detail-focused Research Assistant for research projects linked to REF 2029. Responsibilities include managing research data, reviewing literature, and drafting research papers. The ideal candidate will hold a degree in a relevant subject and have experience with IT tools and research methodologies. This role emphasizes collaborative work and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant subject, postgraduate preferred.
• Strong skills in designing studies and collecting data.
• Knowledge of current topics and ethical practices.

Responsibilities

• Gather and manage research data using relevant methods.
• Review and summarise academic literature.
• Draft research papers for publication.

Skills

Research data management

Drafting research papers

Collaboration

IT proficiency

Knowledge of ethical practices

Education

Degree in a relevant subject

Postgraduate qualification (desirable)

Tools

SPSS

RStudio

NVivo

Qualtrics

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a collaborative and detail-focused Research Assistant to work within the School of Engineering, on a range of research projects linked to our REF 2029 submission. You will be involved in every stage of the research process — from preparing ethics applications and reviewing literature to gathering information, working with data, and helping to prepare findings for publication.

Responsibilities

• Gathering and working with research data using relevant methods and software (e.g., SPSS, RStudio, NVivo).
• Reviewing and summarising academic literature.
• Helping to draft research papers and preparing data for repositories and REF submission.
• Assisting with project organisation, record keeping, and finance processes.
• Sharing research results within and beyond the University.

About you / Qualifications

• Have a degree in a relevant subject (postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience desirable).
• Bring skills in designing studies, collecting and working with data, and drafting research outputs - including statistics.
• Have knowledge of current topics, approaches, and ethical practice in the relevant field.
• Are confident using IT tools and research databases.
• Enjoy working with others and building positive relationships.
• Can manage tasks carefully, meet agreed timelines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Are committed to equality, diversity, and continuous learning
• Are AI literate
• Have knowledge of REF2029 and related processes
• Have skills in using research tools such as SPSS, Nvivo, Qualtrics