The Role
This is an exciting opportunity for a Research Assistant (pre-doctoral level) to join an experienced research team in the Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University. The team is led by Professor Amy O’Donnell and is focused on optimising global health and social care systems to better support people with multiple long-term conditions, specifically co-occurring substance use, mental and physical ill-health. This fixed-term role will involve conducting face-to-face surveys at community venues and qualitative interviews with people with current experience of harmful alcohol and drug use, and qualitative interviews or focus groups with practitioners who work with this population. The role will also involve qualitative data analysis and report writing for lay and professional audiences. The role will also involve public involvement and community engagement.
You will be working on the North East and North Cumbria Applied Research Collaboration Sunderland PLUS Study – To evaluate the pilot of a mobile health bus designed to support the unmet health needs of people in Sunderland who are struggling with alcohol and/or other drugs. The project involves working closely and in-person with the Sunderland-based inter-disciplinary delivery team including primary care, local authority, community and voluntary sector organisations and people with lived experience of harmful alcohol and drug use,
This post is fixed term until 31st March 2026
For informal enquiries contact: Dr Kat Jackson
Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here:
Find out more about our Research Institutes here:
As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of. 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 medical clearance before you can commence in the role
Key Accountabilities
1. 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'
2. Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements
3. Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
4. Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
5. 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
6. Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
7. Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
8. Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
9. 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
10. 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
11. May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities
12. Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment
13. To contribute to the recruitment of survey, interview and focus group participants, through contact with relevant local authority/ NHS and community and voluntary sector organisations
14. To contribute to organising and conducting face-to-face surveys, qualitative interviews and focus groups with people struggling with alcohol and / or other drugs, and health and social care practitioners who work with this population
15. To support patient and public involvement and engagement activities with: people struggling with alcohol and / or other drugs and mental ill health; friends and family of people struggling with alcohol and / or other drugs and mental ill health; and health and social care practitioners who work with this population
16. To contribute to qualitative analysis of interview, focus group and workshop data
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
17. Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
18. Detailed subject knowledge of health inequalities
19. Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects
20. High level of analytical and problem-solving capability
21. Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others
22. Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment
23. Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications
24. Experience of qualitative research methods (e.g. interviews, focus groups, ethnography) with people from marginalized groups (e.g. people struggling with alcohol and / or other drugs, people experiencing mental ill health, people with experience of homelessness, people with experience of the criminal justice system)
25. Experience of qualitative data analysis and interpretation
26. Evidence of ability to write to a level which would be publishable in high quality peer reviewed journals
27. Ability to carry out a research project and work within agreed timelines, meeting project milestones and producing research to an appropriate standard
28. Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills
29. Experience of work within a context of patient and public involvement and engagement in research OR experience of working directly with people from marginalised groups in a practitioner role
Desirable
30. Evidence of skills in using relevant data analysis software packages
31. Experience of applying relevant evaluation frameworks
32. Experience of creative dissemination of qualitative research findings
Attributes and Behaviour
33. Ability to work in a team, flexibly and cooperatively with others
34. Able to prioritise tasks as appropriate
35. Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect research/personal data according to protocols and principles of good research practice
36. Willingness to carry out research in-person in Sunderland on at least two days per week.
37. Willingness to attend in-person meetings and events at the Newcastle University city campus as required
Qualifications
38. A degree and Masters degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. health or social science) or relevant professional qualification (e.g., social work, occupational health, nursing, midwifery)
Desirable
39. Interest in working towards a PhD in an area of health and social care (Research Assistant)
40. Evidence of knowledge of one or more of the following: medical sociology, health psychology, applied health research
41. Driving license and access to car for work purposes
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 award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a 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: 28456