Senior Research Assistant

Northumbria University; North East; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK is looking for a Research Fellow to join a team focused on combating hate speech for a European Commission project. The role involves coordinating research activities, managing collaborations, and disseminating findings. Candidates must hold a PhD or be close to submission. This full-time position transfers to part-time in the third year, and is based in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Pension schemes

Generous holiday entitlement

Qualifications

• Demonstrable knowledge of online and offline hate crime/hate speech.
• Ability to coordinate research activities with various stakeholders.
• Strong data presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of research activities on hate speech.
• Coordinate interactions with law enforcement and policy makers.
• Report research findings through publications and presentations.

Skills

Expert knowledge in hate crime/hate speech

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Research data analysis and presentation

Education

PhD or close to submission

Job description

Overview

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ABOUT THE ROLE

Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team for the European Commission-funded project 'ECLIPSE', you will support the Principal Investigator in the delivery of research activities on preventing and combatting online and offline hate speech and related mis/disinformation by engaging law enforcement agencies and policymakers and by raising awareness among European policy-makers and citizens about these phenomena through innovative methods. The postholder will coordinate research activities, manage interdisciplinary collaboration, and lead the development of co-designed methodologies involving key stakeholders such as law enforcement agencies (LEAs), civil society organisations (CSOs), and international bodies. The postholder will specifically:

• Contribute to the management of the Work Packages within the ECLIPSE consortium, ensuring the timely delivery of milestones and deliverables.
• Coordinate activities with consortium partners and end-users to translate social, behavioural, and legal insights on hate crime/speech and misinformation into practical requirements for digital tools and training frameworks.
• Collate, process and present research data in an appropriate mode and use suitable IT tools to facilitate progression of the project.
• Prepare presentations and deliver these to your immediate supervisor and the project team and to engage in discussion on your research.
• Disseminate, with appropriate support and guidance, the results of research and scholarly activity through high quality publications, project reports, policy materials, development of learning materials, presentations at conferences or exhibiting work at appropriate events and via the media, etc.
• Contribute to ECLIPSE project management and reporting, including input to periodic reports and consortium meetings.
• Support the broader goals of the ECLIPSE project, including occasional administrative or coordination support and involvement in event planning or community engagement.
• Develop links with external organisations and to contribute to consultancy activities.
• Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment.

Please note this role is full time for years 1 and 2 then 14.8 hours in year 3

ABOUT THE TEAM

This Research Project is being delivered within the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at Northumbria University stands at the forefront of academic excellence and societal impact, offering a vibrant and intellectually rich environment for both educators and researchers. With a diverse portfolio the department is distinguished by its commitment to research-led teaching and real-world engagement.

As a nationally recognised centre for criminological research and social policy, we are ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in social policy (REF 2021). Our academic community is deeply engaged in cutting-edge research across themes such as crime, justice, inequality, global development, and media, shaping public discourse and informing policy at regional, national and international levels. Initiatives like the North East Homeless Think Tank exemplify our applied impact, while collaborations with organisations such as Northumbria Police, Durham Constabulary, the Youth Offending Team, British Council, and BBC demonstrate the breadth of our partnerships.

For researchers, this is a dynamic hub where ideas are nurtured, interdisciplinary work is championed, and innovation is actively encouraged. With extensive opportunities for collaboration, funded research, and engagement with diverse communities and sectors, the Department offers an outstanding platform for academic growth and meaningful impact.

Please click here for more information.

ABOUT YOU

Applicants should hold a PhD (or be close to submission of their thesis i.e. 1 month) and have demonstrable specialist expert knowledge in hate crime/hate speech online and offline.

Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact [e-mail]

To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'. Your application should include a covering letter and a CV.

ABOUT US

Join Northumbria University, a research-intensive institution unlocking potential and changing lives locally and globally. Named Times Higher Education's University of the Year in 2022 and Modern University of the Year in 2025, we rank top 25 in the UK for research power. Discover more about us.

With over 37,000 students from 140+ countries, we offer world-leading research, award-winning partnerships, and an outstanding student experience. We empower our exceptional staff, promoting a positive work-life balance and offering great benefits, including excellent pension schemes, flexible working, generous holiday entitlement and more.

Our Northumbria Values, co-created by our team, define who we are: Academic Excellence, Innovation, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Ambition. Our Behaviours shape our work culture: We listen and learn, support one another, respect everyone, trust each other, and are bold.

Located in Newcastle upon Tyne and London, we are an on-campus organisation with flexibility in hours and location. We pride ourselves on diversity and inclusivity, holding numerous awards for gender and race equality, disability confidence, and research excellence. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers. The University has implemented a range of flexible working arrangements, and we are happy to explore candidate requirements as part of the recruitment process.

Apply now and join a community committed to transforming society and the economy. Explore "Our Exceptional People, Our Values and Behaviours" page to learn more about our commitments and see our Privacy Policy for further details.