Research Assistant (Fixed Term)

University of Nottingham; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Professional development

30 days holiday (pro rata)

Benefits package

Visa sponsorship where eligible

Job summary

The University of Nottingham's School of Psychology invites applications for a Research Assistant to join a Medical Research Foundation-funded project refining the Self-Harm Questionnaire – Autism (SHQ-A). You will contribute to recruitment, administration, online surveys and interviews, and data analysis.

You will work with colleagues in the UK, USA and Australia, emphasising co-production with autistic people and partners such as Harmless CIC and Autistica.

Qualifications

• A 2:1 BSc/BA or equivalent in a relevant discipline (e.g., Psychology).
• Knowledge or experience of neurodiversity, mental health, self-harm, suicidality, or related areas is desirable.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge or experience of relevant research methods; ability to work with researchers and collaborators.

Responsibilities

• Support participant recruitment and research administration.
• Help deliver international online surveys and semi-structured interviews.
• Assist with qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Support ongoing co-production and stakeholder engagement.
• Help develop accessible research materials, disseminate findings, and contribute to an open-access user toolkit.

Skills

Communication

Research methods

Stakeholder engagement

Teamwork

Education

2:1 BSc/BA or equivalent

Job description

Salary £32,080 to £33,002 per annum pro-rata depending on skills and experience.

Area Psychology

Location University Park

Salary £32,080 to £33,002 per annum pro-rata depending on skills and experience.

Closing Date Wednesday 28 October 2026

Reference SCI2300026

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant to work with Dr Victoria Newell on a Medical Research Foundation-funded project to refine, validate , and implement the Self-Harm Questionnaire – Autism (SHQ-A), a new assessment tool co-developed with autistic people. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to research with the potential to improve identification, understanding, and support for autistic people who self-harm.

The successful candidate will support participant recruitment and research administration, help deliver international online surveys and semi-structured interviews, and assist with qualitative and quantitative data analysis. They will also support ongoing co-production and stakeholder engagement, help develop accessible research materials, disseminate findings, and contribute to an open-access user toolkit for research and clinical practice.

You will be joining the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham, working closely with collaborators across the UK, USA, and Australia. The project places a strong emphasis on co-production and meaningful engagement, working in partnership with autistic people as well as clinical and community partners, Harmless CIC and Autistica .

Candidates will need at least a 2:1 BSc/BA or equivalent in a relevant discipline (e.g., Psychology). The ideal candidate will have knowledge, understanding, or lived experience of neurodiversity, mental health, self-harm, suicidality, or related areas; excellent oral and written communication skills; knowledge or experience of relevant research methods; and the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

What we offer

• A friendly, diverse, and supportive working environment
• A hybrid working arrangement with the blended approach of home and office working each week
• Generous holiday entitlement of 30 days (or pro rata) plus standard bank holidays and five university closure days including closure between Christmas and New Year.
• Our reward scheme grants bonuses of numerous values for excellent work
• We are committed to staff development through the provision of training, continued support, and career progression opportunities
• You will have access to a range of benefits and rewards, including fitness and health facilities, staff discounts, travel schemes and many more. To find out more about what we can offer you, follow the link to our benefits website

This full-time (36.25 hours per week) position is offered as a fixed-term contract, with an expected start date of 1st February 2027 to 30th January 2029 (approximately 24 months). A later start may be considered, subject to the contract ending no later than 30th June 2029.

Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration . We are able to sponsor the visa (subject to eligibility ) but we will not be able to reimburse any visa expenses (application fees, health surcharge etc.). Interview travel expenses will also not be reimbursed.

Please contact Dr Victoria Newell ( [e-mail] ) if you have further questions about this role. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

It is a condition of this post that satisfactory enhanced disclosure is obtained from the 'Disclosure and Barring Service'.

Further details:

• Job Description/Role Profile

Our university is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) employer . Increasing the diversity of our community is extremely important to us and we are committed to the aims of Disability Confident Scheme.

We are the first university to have achieved Athena Swan Gold Award .

To help you succeed, we published Candidate Guidance to provide support on the application and interview process.

Discover our benefits, visit Your Benefits website.

We welcome applications from UK, Europe and worldwide and aim to make your move to the UK as smooth as possible. Visit the Moving to Nottingham page for details.

Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration .