Research Assistant - IID3

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an enthusiastic researcher to join a dynamic team focused on infectious intestinal disease. This role involves collaboration with leading UK universities and public health agencies, contributing to a significant research project. Candidates will utilize their quantitative research skills and statistical software expertise to analyze data, present findings, and help shape public health policies. With a commitment to inclusivity and professional development, this opportunity offers a supportive environment for those eager to make a meaningful impact in the research community.

Benefits

Generous holiday package

Great pension schemes

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Strong skills in quantitative research methods and data analysis.
• Experience with statistical software and biological modelling.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Contribute expertise to research on infectious intestinal disease.
• Analyze and interpret research data creatively.
• Present research findings to project leaders and stakeholders.

Skills

Quantitative research methods

Risk analysis

Mixed-effect modelling

Data management

Statistical software (R, Python)

Visual presentation of data

Collaborative work

Communication skills

Public policy interest

Research problem-solving

Education

Good honours degree in Natural Sciences

Postgraduate research degree

Subject knowledge in Statistics, Epidemiology, Public Health

Tools

Statistical software (R)

Statistical software (Python)

Job description

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Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 30 April 2025

The Role

The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences is looking for an enthusiastic researcher to work as part of a team on a Food Standards Agency (FSA) funded research project, known as the IID3 Study. The overall aims are to estimate the burden of infectious intestinal disease (IID) in the community and to calibrate national public health surveillance systems.

The successful candidate will work as part of the Work Package (WP) 6 team. The overall aim of WP6 is to quantify the population level of IID and to understand the key causal microbiological, sociological, economic, and food drivers that affect it.

The project involves collaboration with other UK universities (Liverpool and Oxford), national public health agencies (UK Health Security Agency, Public Health Scotland, and Public Health Wales), and Liverpool Clinical Laboratories. You will perform a variety of computer-based studies under the general direction of the Work Package Leader. This will involve use of existing and new project databases and liaising with project partners. You will also be responsible for the collection, collation, processing, analysis, presentation (writing, graph production, image production, and oral presentations at national/international conferences), and storage of research data in accurate, secure, detailed, and up-to-date records of all work.

The successful candidate will work with the guidance of Professor Aileen Mill (Principal Investigator), Professor Stephen Rushton (Work Package 6 Leader), and Dr. Roy Sanderson.

The post is offered on a fixed-term basis until September 2026.

To apply, please complete the online application and provide your CV and a cover letter, detailing how you meet the role requirements listed below under the knowledge, skills, and experience section.

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 the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Key Accountabilities

• Contribute academic and technical expertise to a programme of research focused on infectious intestinal disease
• Use initiative and creativity to analyze and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
• Coordinate own work with that of others, deal with problems which may affect the achievement of research objectives, and contribute to the planning of the project(s)
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to Work Package Leader, Principal Investigator, or groups overseeing the research project
• Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination (reports, presentations, publications)
• Work to deadlines and manage, with support, competing priorities
• Ensure that personal knowledge in relevant field of study is kept up to date
• Undertake relevant training and development activities to develop capacity for taking on wider responsibilities
• Develop, with advice, an awareness of own professional development needs and a personal development strategy
• Liaise with research colleagues and support staff on day-to-day issues

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Strong skills in quantitative research methods including risk analysis and mixed-effect modelling
• Good computing skills, ability to graph and statistically analyze data
• Good working knowledge of data management and experience with statistical software (e.g., R, Python) and reproducible workflows
• Strong skills in the visual presentation of data
• Experience of research with transferable skills and awareness of the research environment
• Ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• Highly developed communication skills to engage effectively with diverse audiences, both orally and in writing, using a range of media
• Demonstrable interest in public policy and stakeholder engagement
• Eagerness to conduct research that can influence policy and industry

Attributes and Behaviour

• Well organized, with excellent time management
• Motivated and enthusiastic
• Innovative and flexible in approach
• Strong team-working ethos
• Ability and willingness to travel locally, within the UK, and internationally for meetings and conferences
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to work flexibly
• Enthusiasm to keep abreast of relevant methodological developments

Qualifications

Essential

• Good honours degree (or equivalent) in a Natural Sciences, Public Health, or Epidemiological discipline
• Postgraduate research degree with experience in biological modelling
• Subject knowledge in a discipline relevant to delivering the research programme (Statistics, Epidemiology, Public Health)
• Postgraduate research experience gained either via previous employment or during postgraduate studies
• Experience of writing up research for publication
• Familiarity with medical ethics and research governance

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 population.

At Newcastle University, we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education (REC). 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.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.