Senior Research Assistant in Health and Community Wellbeing

Northumbria University; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university in Newcastle upon Tyne is looking for a Research Assistant to support a project focused on anti-stigma interventions for health professionals. This full-time position offers an opportunity to engage in a multi-disciplinary team, conducting research, leading workshops, and analyzing data. Ideal candidates will have a PhD in a related field, alongside excellent communication skills. The role is fixed-term for 12 months, starting January 2026, with part-time options considered.

Qualifications

• Applicants should possess specialist knowledge in health and social care issues.
• Experience researching with health and social care professionals is desirable.
• Prior knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods and data analysis is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support the research team in implementing and evaluating the anti-stigma training intervention.
• Engage with members, administer surveys, and conduct interviews with professionals.
• Deliver presentations, collate reports, and develop outputs such as publications.
• Travel to different sites to assist with training delivery.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Experience in 1:1 and group work contexts

Knowledge of stigma and its impacts

Education

PhD (or nearing submission) in a related field

Job description

Job Description

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About the role

Working as part of multi‑disciplinary teams — academics, professionals and members of the public — you will support the Principal Investigator in delivering research activity on the "Anti‑stigma intervention for health and social care staff in contact with people who use substances: a process evaluation".

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the established research team as they implement, evaluate and develop an existing "anti‑stigma training" intervention for health and social care professionals across various practice and local authority areas;
• Engaging with professional and public members, administering surveys, conducting interviews with professionals, leading data analysis and co‑production workshops with the support of academic and public partners;
• Delivering presentations to academic and professional partners, collating and writing reports, and leading the development of outputs such as book chapters and peer‑reviewed papers;
• Traveling to different sites to co‑deliver training with the existing team.

The role is a 12‑month full‑time fixed‑term position starting January 2026, with part‑time considered.

About the team

This research project is funded by the Three Schools NIHR prevention Award; the post holder will be located within the School of Communities and Education at Northumbria University. The team is highly recognised and supported by a broader academic and specialist network across a range of disciplines.

About you

Applicants should hold a PhD (or be nearing submission) in a related field and possess specialist knowledge in health and social care issues. Excellent communication skills and experience in 1:1 and group work contexts would be beneficial. A working knowledge of stigma and its impacts, and experience researching with health and social care professionals, are desirable. Prior knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods and data analysis is advantageous; support and training will be provided.

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

Apply

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact William McGovern, Associate Professor in Community and Wellbeing. To apply, click 'Apply Now'. Your application should include a covering letter and CV, detailing previous work in this area, grants awarded, and outputs/publications that illustrate your academic development and impact.