Research Assistant/ Associate- Ageing and Geroscience

Salary: 

Research Assistant: £31,396 to £32,982 per annum

Research Associate:£33,966 to £44,263 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: 22 March 2024

The Role

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and highly motivated researcher with a social sciences background (sociology, anthropology, geography or closely related discipline) and qualitative research to contribute to a large qualitative study exploring diversity in the dementia care experiences of South Asian communities. 

We are looking for someone with exceptional interpersonal skills and a flair for communicating with a diverse range of stakeholders, including those whose first language is not English. 

You will conduct ethnographic research in Newcastle with South Asian people living at home with dementia and their networks of care. The aim of the research is to provide an in-depth and ‘thick description’ of the contextual factors shaping South Asian peoples’ lived experience of dementia care and to apply this learning to explore how public policy and care systems could be adapted or improved to reduce health and social inequalities. 

Funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR), the ethnographic research is part of a larger qualitative study led by Kate Gibson and a multi-disciplinary team of researchers at Newcastle University, Nottingham University and Kings College London. In addition to conducting the research, analysing findings, and authoring high-quality academic papers for peer review, you will work with community partners to undertake the research and disseminate accessible outputs. You will also contribute to the development of work packages in Nottingham, Birmingham and London.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development and delivery of an important piece of research. You will be part of a progressive and impactful research environment in the Population Health Sciences Institute at Newcastle University which is highly committed to research career development. You will be supported to develop your research career within the Institute, which is a recognised leader in the field of health research.

Experience of conducting research with people living with dementia would be useful but not essential. 

The role is particularly suited to individuals with an interest in dementia, care and addressing inequalities.

To apply for the position, we will need your CV and a covering letter outlining how you are suitable for the role, using examples to highlight how you meet the essential criteria as listed in the job description.

This post is fixed term until 31 May 2026.

For informal enquiries please reach out to [email protected] .

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/

Find out more about our Research Institutes here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Key Accountabilities

• Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, the postholder will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial ‘added value’ 
• Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements 
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding 
• Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
• Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
• May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants 
• Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute
• May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities
• Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment
• To engage and build relations with relevant stakeholders, including people living with dementia, families, local community members and community and voluntary sector organisations

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

• Ability to work well as part of a multidisciplinary team and rapidly acquire new skills
• Detailed subject knowledge relating to either ageing, care, dementia or inequalities
• Experience in the design, conduct and analysis of qualitative research using a range of methodological and theoretical approaches
• Knowledge of conducting and writing up ethnographic research
• Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects 
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability 
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity to academic and non academic audiences 
• Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the proposed research environment 
• Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications 
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Knowledge and experience of working with or conducting research with one of the following: marginalized communities, ethnically minoritized communities, or people living with dementia
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience of delivering research within agreed timelines, meeting project milestones and producing research to a high standard 

Desirable

• Familiarity with the Mental Capacity Act and its application to research
• Experience of coordinating ethics and governance submissions

Attributes and Behaviour

• Ability to meet deadlines and to manage conflicting priorities
• Ability to work flexibly and co-operatively with others 
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Innovative and flexible in approach

Desirable

• Helpful but not mandatory if you can speak one of the following languages: Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi or Bengali

Qualifications

• A PhD in a relevant social science discipline (for example sociology, anthropology, geography) (for appointment at Associate level
• Honors degree in relevant subject (for appointment at Assistant level)

 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 silver Athena 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. 

Requisition ID: 26792

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