Senior Research Associate

Lancaster University; Bailrigg; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

An academic institution is seeking a full-time Senior Research Associate to lead research on deepfake technology impacts. The ideal candidate will have strong qualitative research skills and experience working with sensitive data. Responsibilities include designing studies, managing research projects, and collaborating with various stakeholders, including vulnerable populations. The position offers generous benefits and the opportunity to contribute to an important project supporting equity and inclusion.

Benefits

Generous holiday leave

Access to employee pension scheme

Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Support for relocation

Qualifications

• Strong experience in leading research programmes.
• Ability to handle sensitive data.
• Critical and dynamic approach to research.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct qualitative studies on deepfake technology.
• Manage day-to-day project activities.
• Coordinate studies and disseminate findings.

Skills

Qualitative or mixed methods research

Experience with vulnerable populations

Data collection and management

Team collaboration

Mentoring researchers

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Job description

Senior Research Associate

Psychology

Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK

Salary: £39,906 to £48,882 (Full time, indefinite with end date)

Closing Date: Monday 03 November 2025

Interview Date: Thursday 27 November 2025

Reference: 0765-25

The Department of Psychology at Lancaster University is seeking to appoint a full-time Senior Research Associate to work on the Protecting Ordinary People from Deepfakes Project. This project is funded by the UKRI as part of Dr Nightingale’s Future Leaders Fellowship and focuses on mapping and mitigating the threats to ordinary people from deepfake technology.

The role involves designing and conducting a range of qualitative (or mixed-method) studies to understand how deepfake technology is used to cause harm through the creation and sharing of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII). The work will include interviews and focus groups with stakeholder partners including the police, policy makers, and individuals who have been targeted with NCII. The successful candidate will propose follow-on research based on the initial programme and use results to inform the wider project team’s agenda.

You will be responsible for the development and day-to-day management of the project, from coordinating design and setup of studies through analysis, dissemination and impact activities. The candidate should have strong experience in leading research programmes and handling sensitive data. Given rapid changes in the deepfake space, the role requires an evaluative, critical, and dynamic approach and the ability to adapt to emerging trends. You will join an interdisciplinary lab and work closely with other team members.

You will:

• Have a strong grounding in qualitative or mixed methods research, ideally with a criminal focus
• Have experience of working with vulnerable populations or handling sensitive data
• Have experience of data collection (in-person and online) and data management
• Be an excellent team player
• Have experience mentoring other researchers
• Have excellent communication and organisation skills

The benefits of the role:

• Generous holiday leave – 25 days (pro-rata) annual leave plus university closure days and bank holidays
• Access to the employee pension scheme and annual flexible benefits scheme
• Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Athena Swan Silver Award holder
• Support for relocation from overseas and information about benefits at Lancaster University

The Psychology Department is a busy teaching and research-active department. It hosts around 40 academic staff and teams of research and professional services and technical staff. It supports a large cohort of undergraduate students, Masters and postgraduate researchers, and a range of research projects including cross-institution grants. Further information about the department is available at: http://www.psych.lancs.ac.uk

Please upload a cover letter with your application.

We welcome applications from people in all diversity groups, and for this full-time post, we expect a start date by January 2026. This role is indefinite, subject to funding, which is currently available until November 2028.

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr Sophie Nightingale, Senior Lecturer, [e-mail].

Further Details:

• Job Description
• Person Specification

Please note: unless specified otherwise in the advert, all advertised roles are UK based.

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