Research Assistant (part time, fixed term)

University of Sussex; Brighton; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Sussex invites applications for a part-time Research Assistant within the Clean Slate at Scale project. The fixed-term post runs until 30 November 2029 and offers experience across the full research lifecycle from setup to dissemination.

You will support ethics, governance, data collection and analysis, work with a multidisciplinary team, and engage with NHS and public partners. Start date 1 December 2026; interview 9 November 2026.

Qualifications

• Degree in Psychology, Public Health, Health Sciences or related discipline.
• Experience supporting health, clinical, psychological, or applied research projects.
• Highly organized with attention to detail and data management skills.
• Strong communication and ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with ethics, governance and data analysis is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support study set-up, ethics and governance activities.
• Assist with participant follow-up and data collection.
• Manage data securely and perform data analysis.
• Contribute to dissemination, publications and research impact.

Skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Research experience

Data handling

Ethics and governance knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Public Health, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Epidemiology, or related discipline

Job description

Hours: Part-time considered up to a maximum of 18.25 hours per week.

Contract type: Fixed term until 30th November 2029

Expected interview date: 9th November 2026

Expected start date: 1st December 2026

About the role

The University of Sussex is seeking to appoint a Research Assistant to join Clean Slate at Scale, a major Innovate UK-funded collaborative research project evaluating a novel digitally enabled alcohol detoxification and recovery service across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

The Research Assistant will play a central role in the University's evaluation work package. Working closely with Dr Faith Matcham and colleagues across Sussex and partner organisations, the postholder will support study set-up, ethics and governance activities, participant follow-up, data collection, data management, analysis, dissemination, and patient and public involvement activities.

The postholder will be part of a collaborative and multidisciplinary team spanning psychology, public health, health economics, clinical services, and digital health innovation. The role offers experience across the full research lifecycle, from study set-up, ethics and governance activities, and data collection through to analysis, dissemination, and research impact. Working closely with NHS, academic, industry, and public contributors, the successful candidate will have opportunities to contribute to publications, conference presentations, and the development of future research. This post would be particularly suitable for an individual seeking to develop a career in health, psychological, public health, or applied research, including those considering future doctoral study.

About you

You will have a degree in Psychology, Public Health, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Epidemiology, or a related discipline, and experience supporting health, clinical, psychological, or applied research projects. You will be highly organised, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage research data accurately and securely.

You will be a strong communicator who is comfortable working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. You will have the ability to manage your workload effectively, contribute to multiple aspects of a research project, and build positive working relationships with academic, NHS, industry, and public stakeholders.

Ideally, you will have experience of participant-facing research activities, such as recruitment, interviews, or outcome assessments, and some familiarity with research ethics, governance processes, and data analysis. Experience of quantitative and/or qualitative research methods would be advantageous, as would an interest in digital health, addiction, mental health, public health, or health services research.

This role would suit someone seeking to develop a career in health or applied research, including individuals considering future doctoral study. You will be enthusiastic about contributing to a high-profile collaborative project and motivated to develop your skills across the full research lifecycle, from study delivery and data collection through to analysis, publication, and research impact.

About our school

Please find further information regarding the School of Psychology.

The School of Psychology is proud to hold a Gold Athena Swan Award.

Why work here

Find out more about our reward and benefits package.

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion

Further Key Information

Please contact Dr. Faith Matcham ([e-mail]) for informal enquiries.

Eligibility

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.

Grade 6.1 starting at £34,610 per annum, pro rata if part time