.buttontext6d0b46980d8b0627 a{ border: 1px solid transparent; } .buttontext6d0b46980d8b0627 a: focus{ border: 1px dashed #16726d !important; outline: none !important; }
Research Assistant/ Associate
Requisition ID: 29636
Location:
Newcastle, GB
#job-location.job-location-inline { display: inline; }
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Working Pattern: Full Time
Posted Date: 13 Aug 2026
.buttontext5b73eb8ce7144827 a{ border: 1px solid transparent; } .buttontext5b73eb8ce7144827 a: focus{ border: 1px dashed #16726d !important; outline: none !important; }
Salary: £36,636 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: 6 September 2026
The Role
Newcastle University’s Politics department invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join an ambitious project that will evaluate the quality, integration, and impact of a range of public engagement processes that are part of the Casey Commission (Independent Commission into Adult Social Care) which seeks to create a National Conversation on social care in the UK. Ipsos Mori have been contracted by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) by to provide the public engagement element of this commission. This will include a digital platform, community engagement, marginalised communities, a citizens’ assembly, and those employed in social care. The evaluation of these engagement processes is being led by Professor Stephen Elstub at Newcastle University.
We are looking for a researcher with an interest in public engagement and democratic innovation, with experience of conducting mixed methods research generally and surveys, interviews, focus groups, document analysis, and non-participant observation. You will concurrently collect data through these methods. You will deliver high-quality analyses of the data, and share your findings, in collaboration with the project team, presentations to a range of audiences, an evaluation report, and peer reviewed academic journals. You will work with a high degree of independence, as appropriate seeking input from the project team.
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
What Happens Next
In order to apply please provide evidence of how you meet the essential criteria required for the role outlined in ‘The Person’ by uploading a letter of application along with your Curriculum Vitae (CV).
If you would like to have an informal conversation about this role, please contact Professor Stephen Elstub (
[email protected])
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 about the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences here
Find out more about the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology here
Find out more about the Department of Politics
Contact for the post is
[email protected]
Duration of post is 15 months (to start approx. 01/09/2026 and until project ends on 30/11/2027)
Key Accountabilities
Research Assistant
To contribute to quantitative and qualitative data collection
To contribute to the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data
To contribute to the development and writing of reports
To contribute to the development and writing of academic papers
To liaise with external partners involved in the projects, including contributing to event organisation
To provide support for the strategic development of the projects
Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s)
Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project
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
Research Associate
To contribute to quantitative and qualitative data collection
To contribute to the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data
To contribute to the development and writing of reports
To contribute to the development and writing of academic papers
To liaise with external partners involved in the projects, including contributing to event organisation
To provide support for the strategic development of the projects
Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project
Determine appropriate methodologies for research
Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
Contribute to the writing up of the research and its 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
Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Research Assistant
Knowledge of Democratic innovation or public engagement research
Ability to conduct mixed methods research
Experience of survey research and analysis
Ability to conduct qualitative research
Knowledge of UK Politics
Knowledge of Social Care policy in the UK (Desirable)
Experience of working with non-academic organisations and event organisation
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
In addition for Research Associate
Awareness of the research environment
High level of analytical and problem-solving capacity
Ability to communicate complex information with clarity
Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications
Attributes and Behaviour
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Ability to communicate effectively to a range of audiences
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
Qualifications
Research Assistant
Close to submitting PhD in Politics Science or related discipline
In addition for Research Associate
PhD in Politics Science or 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: 29636
.buttontext5b9fe3ea4bb792d9 a{ border: 1px solid transparent; } .buttontext5b9fe3ea4bb792d9 a: focus{ border: 1px dashed #16726d !important; outline: none !important; }
