Research Assistant jobs in United Kingdom

Area
Sociology & Social Policy

Location
University Park

Salary
£31,637 to £35,116 per annum, depending on skills and experience (minimum £34,866 with relevant PhD). Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance.

Closing Date
Monday 12 May 2025

Reference
SOC133625

The School of Sociology and Social Policy Politics at the University of Nottingham is seeking two Research Assistants to provide research, operational and logistical support for a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded research project on The Digitalisation of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare: Black Women’s Inclusion and Exclusion in Prevention, Services and Care. The PI for this project is Assistant Professor Dr Shardia Briscoe-Palmer and both roles will be reporting directly to them.

The aim of this project is to conduct a widespread community-led scoping exercise on Black women’s intersectional experiences of being included or excluded in the digitalisation of British sexual and reproductive healthcare; including but not limited to sex, maternal health, HIV, menopause, menstruation and puberty. The project aims to contribute to existing research and narratives on health inequalities and digital exclusion amongst disadvantaged groups in the UK.

1. Research Assistant (x1): The postholder will work closely with our methods expert to design, deploy and analyse a quantitative survey questionnaire on the digital health experiences of Black women. The postholder will collaboratively write it up for co-authored publication and contribute to disseminating the qualitative study. The survey will be informed by an initial review of knowledge on health inequalities, (in) sexual and reproductive health and digital inequalities.
2. Research Assistant (x1): The postholder will oversee all project activities by supporting Involvement Leads in different organisations and networks (in Nottingham, Birmingham and London), and to assist activities to be methodologically grounded in community engagement. The postholder will collaboratively write up the methods used, including literature review on community engagement practices for co-authored publication, and contribute to disseminating the methods case study on ‘communities as researchers’.

The successful candidate will:

• Have excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with clarity on complex information.
• Have strong knowledge of the research area, methods and techniques in the broad field of sociology and inequalities more specifically, in relation to the study of health inequalities and/or digital technologies.
• Have the analytical ability to facilitate conceptual thinking, innovation and creativity.
• Have the ability to build relationships and collaborate with others, internally and externally.
• Have excellent organizational and project management skills, including a proven ability to prioritize work tasks, manage own time, and multi-task.
• Have an ability to work independently and take initiative yet also work flexibly and supportively as part of a team.

It would be an advantage for candidates to have previous experience with web-based reference management software (like Zotero) and/or advanced qualitative methods training in community design and engagement.

The posts are offered as a part-time (7.25 hours per week) fixed-term contract until the 30th of April 2026 and will start on 1st July 2025. The roles can be held remotely, with working patterns to be agreed. Please note candidate interviews for both positions will be held on Tuesday 3rd June 2025.

We actively encourage people from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds to apply. The school is determined to provide a diverse and inclusive environment for staff and students, drawing on the widest possible range of talents and backgrounds.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Shardia Briscoe-Palmer at shardia.briscoe-palmer@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.