Senior Research Assistant (Improve APS)

University of Hertfordshire; Hatfield; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a Senior Research Assistant to support research aimed at improving services for those affected by rare neurodegenerative conditions. The role involves assisting the research team with interviews, data analysis, and project governance. Candidates should have an undergraduate degree and relevant research experience. This is a part-time position on a fixed-term contract for one year, offering flexible working conditions and a range of employee benefits.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Flexible location opportunities

Discounted Sports Village memberships

Free Active Staff sessions

Personal and professional development opportunities

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Experience working independently and as part of a research team.
• Research experience at undergraduate level and above.
• Ability to conduct literature searches proficiently.

Responsibilities

• Support Principal Investigators and assist with a realist review and systems-thinking study.
• Conduct recruitment and delivery of interviews/workshops.
• Analyze data and interpret results collaboratively.

Skills

Research experience

Time-management skills

IT skills

Communication skills

Flexibility

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

Post Title: Senior Research Assistant (Improve APS)

SBU/Department: Health & Social Work / Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care (CRIPACC)

FTE: 0.4 TFE (Working 14.8 hours per week)

Duration of Contract: Fixed term for 12 months, from 1st March 2026 until 28th February 2027

Salary: UH6 £33,002pa (pro‑rata) to £38,784pa (pro‑rata) by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience

Annual Leave: 35 days pro‑rata plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: College Lane Campus, Hatfield

Main duties and responsibilities

This role will require you to support the Principal Investigators (Dr Annalisa Casarin (UH), Dr Boyd Ghosh (Southampton NHS Trust)) and the wider team. You will assist with a realist review and systems‑thinking study to co‑design service improvement and support the recruitment and delivery of interviews and workshops with people affected by rare neurodegenerative conditions, their carers and professionals providing health and social care. Data analysis and interpretation of results will be performed in collaboration with team members and experts by experience. You will work collaboratively with a public co‑researcher and charity members, staff and volunteers. You will contribute to the delivery and governance of the project, the evaluation of policy and practice, the reporting and dissemination activities.

Skill and experience required

• You will have experience of working independently and as part of a research team in a Higher Education Institution or in industry, a local authority, NHS, charity or a community organisation.
• You will have demonstrable research experience at undergraduate level (e.g., final year project) and above.
• Good IT skills, proficiency in relevant literature databases, ability to conduct literature searches, strong time‑management skills, capacity to plan and manage your own workload effectively, and the ability to handle sensitive material with strict confidentiality.
• You must be able to communicate with different individuals and audiences and be flexible and adaptable to workload and team requirements.
• Familiarity with innovative methods, as specified in the job description and annex, would also be useful.
• You may have experience of working or volunteering with organisations that support people with rare and/or neurological conditions, including mild cognitive impairment or speech‑language difficulties, and under‑represented groups in research.
• Travel across England (the two charities run support groups nationally, in person and virtually) and collaboration with other NHS and community organisations will be expected, so a driving licence and/or access to transport is desirable.

Qualifications required

• For this role you must hold an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

We regret that we are unable to offer UKVI sponsorship for this post; applicants will either hold UK Right to Work or demonstrate access to UK Right to Work before an offer is made.

Contact Details / Informal Enquiries

Dr Annalisa Casarin – [e-mail]

Application information

Closing Date: 15 January 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Reference Number: REQ000495

Date advert placed: 23 December 2025

Equal Opportunities Statement

Our vision is to transform lives: UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document.

Employee Benefits

We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family‑friendly policies.