Research Associate in AI (Social Care)

Newcastle University; Newcastle; On-site; ZAR 35,000 - 46,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading global university is looking for a part-time Research Assistant/Associate to join its Human-Computer Interaction research group. The role involves creating training materials for VCSE partners in Health and Social Care to help them use AI effectively. The ideal candidate has a relevant degree, a PhD, and experience in training delivery. The position is available immediately for 6 months in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal.

Benefits

Generous holiday package

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Pension schemes

Qualifications

• Knowledge of AI.
• Knowledge of the Health and/or Care Sector and VCSE organisations.
• Experience of delivering training ideally in areas of AI literacy.

Responsibilities

• Design online and face-to-face training materials.
• Support recruitment activities to attract learners.
• Deliver training sessions with VCSE partners.
• Document project progress and meeting outcomes.

Skills

Detailed knowledge in areas relevant to the research (Digital Civics / AI)

High level of analytical and problem-solving capacity

Ability to communicate complex information clearly

Experience of delivering education and/or training

Education

Good honours degree (or equivalent)

PhD or equivalent in relevant research area

Job description

Salary : 35116.00 - 45413.00 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 17 September 2025

The Role

We are offering an exciting opportunity to join Open Lab a world-leading Human-Computer Interaction research group based in the School of Computing at Newcastle University. The research assistant / associate will report to Prof. David Kirk (Professor of Human-Centred Design).

You will principally support the design and delivery and evaluation of training materials to support VCSE partners working in the Health and Social Care sector. The training will support their understanding and use of AI within their industry supporting their organisations towards best practice for working with emerging intelligent and data-infused technologies. The project is funded by the EPSRC Northern Health Futures (NortHFutures) project which is a regional hub for supporting innovation in health and care technologies. This funded project will involve the successful candidate in developing a combination of online and face-to-face learning materials the advertisement (with support) and recruitment for cohorts of participants to engage in the learning activities and the subsequent delivery and evaluation of training sessions. There will also be a requirement to produce documentation of engagement impact and evaluation from the training delivered with partner organisations. There is also opportunity within this role to help further support project work within Open Lab that is exploring the role of AI in VCSE partner engagements.

This position is available on a part-time (3 days per week / 0.6 FTE) fixed term basis to start immediately for 6 months.

Key Accountabilities

• Design online and face-to-face training materials
• Support and organise recruitment activities to attract learners to the course
• Deliver online and in-person training sessions with VCSE partners
• Organise and meet with project partners and document project progress and meeting outcomes
• Collect analyse and report on project impact data
• Contribute to the writing up of research and its dissemination either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications as appropriate to demonstrate wider impact of the work
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding.

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge Skills and Experience

• Detailed knowledge in areas relevant to the research (Digital Civics / AI)
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capacity
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others
• Presentations at conferences and / or high-quality publications
• Knowledge of AI
• Knowledge of the Health and / or Care Sector and the role of VCSE organisations in delivering care services
• Experience of delivering education and / or training (ideally in areas of AI literacy)

Attributes and Behaviour

• Initiative
• Creativity
• Collegial attitude with coworkers

Qualifications

• Good honours degree (or equivalent) with some subject knowledge in a relevant area
• A PhD or the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience in the research area required

To apply please complete an online application and upload a plain text copy of your CV and covering letter your covering letter you should evidence how you meet or exceed the essential and desirable requirements for the role. Please note any other Additional Document you upload may not be received by the reviewing panel.

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silverAthena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.