Research Assistant/Associate

Salary:

Research Assistant: £33,002 to £34,610 per annum

Research Associate: £35,608 to £37,694 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: 11 February 2026

The Role

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant/Associate with a relevant background or interest in regulatory science and policy making relating to neurotechnologies to join the UK National Consortium for Neurotechnology Regulation project, in partnership with the MHRA and funded by ARIA.

The successful candidate will join the research group of Principle Investigator Dr. Luke Bashford at Newcastle University. In this project the successful candidate will work to enhance stakeholders understanding of existing UK neurotechnology regulation and inform on potential regulatory reform for emerging neurotechnologies.

The role will involve close collaboration with UK regulators, with secondment to the MHRA, and discussion with stakeholders throughout the UK neurotechnology ecosystem.

You will work to enhance stakeholders understanding of existing UK neurotechnology regulation and inform on potential regulatory reform for emerging neurotechnologies. You will review, report, and disseminate materials on existing regulation and guidance for the regulatory process enabling neurotechnology studies and draft new guidance in consultation with muti-stakeholder groups to ensure an appropriate and comprehensive regulatory ecosystem in the future.

Further information around the role’s responsibilities within the secondment can be found here.

The key aims and responsibilities of the role are:

• Conduct and publish a comprehensive review with regulators of all existing regulations and guidance pertaining to neurotechnologies in the UK.
• Organize and maintain neurotechnology Policy Review Meetings with representatives from industry, academia, clinical practice, and charities and people with lived experience.
• Develop and draft new guidance for emerging neurotechnologies, ensuring it is clear, concise, and accessible to a broad audience.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive dissemination strategy for all the project outputs.

Please focus your CV and cover letter on the essential criteria listed in this job description below. The information within the link above relating to the behaviours and strengths may be assessed at interview stage but not at application stage.

This post is fixed term for a period of 20 months.

For informal enquiries contact: luke.bashford@newcastle.ac.uk

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

The Person

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
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others
• 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 in project management

Desirable

• A background in academic/industry neurotechnology research or delivery
• A background in regulation or regulatory science of medical devices, particularly neurotechnology
• A background in policy making around medical devices, particularly neurotechnology

Attributes and Behaviours

• Detail orientated
• Time management
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Understanding the requirements of public service roles

Qualifications

• A PhD in relevant area i.e. regulatory science, science policy, bioengineering, neuroscience, neurotechnology, etc. (required for appointment at Associate level)
• Honors degree in relevant subject i.e. regulatory science, science policy, bioengineering, neuroscience, neurotechnology, etc or relevant experience (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 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: 29009