Research Assistant/ Associate in Prevention including Behavioural Risk Factors

Salary:

Research Assistant: £32,296 to £33,882 per annum, pro rata

Research Associate: £34,866 to £36,924 per annum, pro rata

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 November 2024

The Role

Do you have a passion for undertaking impactful research in public health prevention?

Applications are invited for a talented, ambitious and productive Research Assistant or Research Associate to work on a national evaluation of NHS-funded tobacco dependence services funded by the NIHR ARC National Priority Area Research Programme (Prevention including Behavioural Risk Factors Consortium).

You will have either a PhD (Research Associate only) or relevant qualifications/experience (Research Assistant), ideally in the field of public health, implementation science, or health services research, and an interest in tobacco control. Required skills will include conducting and analysing qualitative (e.g. interviews) and/or quantitative (e.g. surveys, routine data) research and data, respectively. You will also have the experience of (or, potential for, if Research Assistant role) writing for high quality peer reviewed journals; support day-to-day study management including securing and maintaining ethical approvals; the confidence to engage with collaborators at all levels of seniority, across different regions and sectors of the health and care system; and a willingness to work with research partners across multiple Universities regionally and nationally. You will be self-motivated and have excellent verbal and written communication skills and will be appointed to a suitable point on the common pay scale according to qualifications and experience.

This fixed term post is offered on a part time basis (0.6 FTE) to 30 September 2025.

Further information can be obtained by contacting either Dr Ryc Aquino (ryc.aquino@newcastle.ac.uk), Dr Sheena Ramsay (sheena.ramsay@newcastle.ac.uk) or Professor Eileen Kaner (eileen.kaner@newcastle.ac.uk)

The Population Health Sciences Institute is committed to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion for all staff and students. Applications for part time/flexible working are welcome; please state your desired working arrangements in your application.

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.

Please note that if you are successful to this role, you will require a DBS and Research Passport before you can commence in the role.

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
•    Undertake analysis of quantitative and qualitative data 
•    Identify and undertake a programme of professional development, including further training in research methods and other transferable skills
•    Contribute to the wider activities of the ARC including its research themes, particularly Prevention, early intervention and behaviour change and Health inequalities and marginalised communities
•    Wider contribution to the institute and take on tasks as requested by the Dean

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

•    Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
•    Detailed subject knowledge or an interest in tobacco control 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 
•    Knowledge and experience of working with quantitative and qualitative datasets
•    Ability to carry out research within agreed timelines, meeting project milestones and producing research to an appropriate standard 
•    Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team
Desirable

•    Experience of NHS research governance procedures
•    Experience of mixed-methods evaluations
•    Experience of supporting the preparation of research proposals to help secure future grant income
•    Experience of, or training, in health economics
 

Attributes and Behaviour

•    Ability to prioritise key tasks

•    Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills
•    Ability to meet deadlines and to manage priorities
•    Ability to work flexibly and cooperatively with others
•    Ability to maintain confidentiality
 

Qualifications

•    A PhD in relevant area (required for appointment at Associate level)

•    Honors degree and/or qualification related to public health using mixed-methods or equivalent 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 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: 27721