Research Assistant in Ageing and Health

Salary: £33,951 to £35,608 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: 13 September 2026

The Role

We are pleased to announce this exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Research Assistant in Ageing and Health to contribute to innovative studies in ageing, sarcopenia and multiple long-term conditions (MLTC). This role would suit an individual with a background in biomedical sciences or a related discipline with experience of conducting data analyses, clinical study fieldwork and laboratory analyses.

You will join the interdisciplinary AGE Research Group, co-led by Professor Miles Witham and Professor Rachel Cooper), taking a team science approach to deliver their vision of improving lives through world-class research in ageing, sarcopenia and multiple long-term conditions. You will be supervised by Professor Miles Witham and Dr Claire McDonald. 

You will contribute to the day-to-day running of our key studies: the REVITALiSE sarcopenia platform trial and MASS (Muscle Ageing and Sarcopenia Study) Lifecourse. You will help to coordinate study visits, assist in data collection, undertake data entry and analysis, and also contribute to laboratory work including sample transport, processing, storage and analysis. These in-person study assessments take place on site at Newcastle University, with home visits across the North East region also possible. 

Alongside supporting fieldwork delivery, you will also be encouraged to contribute to research projects using data from REVITALiSE, MASS Lifecourse and other relevant studies.  To achieve this, you will conduct data analysis and may have the opportunity to disseminate research findings through publications and conference attendance.

Your project will be closely aligned with the aims of the Ageing, Sarcopenia and Multimorbidity theme within the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and you will benefit from close collaborative working with other colleagues who contribute to this BRC theme.

For informal enquiries please contact Professor Miles Witham: miles.witham@newcastle.ac.uk

This full-time post is funded until 31 March 2028. 

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

Newcastle University is committed to the responsible use of research metrics as part of our research culture and research strategy. We advocate for the transparent, appropriate, and inclusive use of metrics, guided by expert judgment, to support high-quality, impactful research that is open, collaborative and sustainable. Click here for our full policy statement on the Responsible use of Research Metrics. Click here for a self-study e-learning module on the Responsible Use of Research Metrics.

Find out more:

AGE Research Group: www.ageresearchgroup.ncl.ac.uk

Faculty of Medical Sciences: www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences

Newcastle University Research Institutes: www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes

Key Accountabilities

• Contribute to the coordination and administration of study visits and study processes under the supervision of the study principal investigators
• Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
• Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to effect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the projects
• Attend and contribute to meetings and other activities of the AGE Research Group and Newcastle BRC Ageing, Sarcopenia and Multimorbidity Theme as directed by the research group and Theme leads
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to Principal Investigators or groups overseeing the research projects
• Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books)
• Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

• Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
• Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
• Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
• The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems
• Experience of contributing to research relevant to ageing, sarcopenia or MLTC
• Experience of working in a laboratory environment
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to confidently engage with colleagues and members of the public participating in research studies

Attributes and Behaviour

• Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research team
• Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines
• Commitment to continued professional development
• Understanding of good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity
• Ability to interact respectfully with, and gain the trust of, patients and/or public participants in research

Qualifications

• Honours degree in biomedical sciences, or a related discipline

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 Gold 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: 29593