Research Assistant/Associate Qualitative

Salary: Reserach Assistant - £33,951 - £35,608

            Research Associate - £35,636 - £46,049

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: 12 April 2026

The Role

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant/Associate to join a large, multidisciplinary team working on the EQuIP-IN study (Enhancing Quality of Life Through Innovative Social Care Pathways for Independent Bathing). This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to an ambitious, applied social care research programme focused on improving outcomes for older adults within adult social care.

The postholder will draw on training and expertise in qualitative methods and applied social care research. Working closely with older adult research participants and local authority stakeholders, they will take a lead role in participant recruitment and the conduct of in-home, telephone, and online qualitative interviews. The role will also involve making a substantial contribution to qualitative data management and analysis.

You will be part of a vibrant and supportive multidisciplinary research team, working alongside practitioner-academics, statisticians, health economists, qualitative researchers, implementation scientists, and lived-experience research team members. This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop qualitative research skills while contributing to research with clear real-world relevance and impact.

The post is funded through a new NIHR Programme Grant for Applied Research, led by the University of York in collaboration with Newcastle University and Northumbria University. The overarching research question for the programme is:

How can we maximise the effectiveness of pathways for the assessment and provision of assistive technologies for older adults with bathing difficulties within adult social care services?

This full-time post (100% FTE) will primarily support Work Package 2, which explores the perspectives and experiences of older adults who have been referred for, provided with, or have self-funded assistive technologies for bathing. The work will examine facilitators and barriers to use, alongside the processes and pathways involved in the provision of assistive technologies for older adults experiencing bathing difficulties.

This post is fixed term for 18 months.

For informal enquiries contact: Professor Katie Brittain katie.brittain@newcastle.ac.uk

Key Accountabilities

• Although working under the general guidance of Prof Katie Brittain, 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
• Recruitment: Identify, screen, and recruit eligible participants, working closely with clinical practitioners and local authority partners.
• Data Collection: Conduct in-home/telephone/online qualitative interviews with older who have been referred for, provided with, or have self-funded assistive technologies for bathing
• Data Management: Ensure secure handling of participant data, including audio recordings, transcripts, and consent forms, in line with GDPR and university policies.
• Data Analysis: Contribute to thematic qualitative data analysis, including coding transcripts using software (e.g. NVivo) and supporting interpretation in collaboration with the wider team.
• Dissemination: Assist in preparing summaries, reports, and presentations for academic and non-academic audiences, including research participants and stakeholders.

The Person (Essential)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
• Detailed subject knowledge (PI to describe subject knowledge required) in the area of research
• Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills
• Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment
• Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications
• Experience conducting qualitative research, including data analysis
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a sensitive and person-centred approach
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
• Experience working with clinical practitioners in social care and local authorities (desirable)
• Experience working with older adults in receipt of care from local authority services
• Training in qualitative analysis software (e.g. NVivo)

Attributes and Behaviour

• Ability to take initiative and be pro-active in day-to-day work
• Ability to work cooperatively as a supportive team member
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours to fit around participants’ needs and preferences
• Ability to effectively communicate project progress and engage in the discussion of other ongoing work within the study team at regular meetings

Qualifications

• A Masters degree (or equivalent) in health sciences, public health, psychology, social sciences or a related field (Research Assistant)
• A PhD in (or equivalent) in health sciences, public health, psychology, social sciences or a related field (Research Associate)
• Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle for participant visits (travel expenses reimbursed)

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: 29039