Research Assistant/Research Associate (Qualitative Research)

We are seeking to appoint a Research Assistant/Associate (RA) with a specialism in qualitative research methods to work on an interdisciplinary project entitled, The Night Shift 1850-present: Reimagining Sleep, Work and Wellbeing for Healthcare Professionals in English and Scottish Hospitals, led by PI Dr Kristin Hussey and funded by the Wellcome Trust. The project is hosted in the School of History, Classics & Archaeology, which has a vibrant and active research culture.

The Night Shift is an ambitious project which aims to radically re-imagine sleep, work and wellbeing for healthcare professionals working at night in England and Scotland. The project examines how longstanding workplace cultures and professional identities have normalised unsafe and unsustainable working conditions. Working with healthcare professionals at NHS Trusts, the postholder will use qualitative methods—including interviews, focus groups and witness seminars—to explore how staff experience and manage night work. The role will contribute to developing interventions to improve staff wellbeing.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early career researcher to develop experience in interdisciplinary research, scholarly editing, project management, impact and public engagement, and sole-authored publications. The RA will be provided with academic and pastoral support within the School, and training will be provided to develop their competencies. Newcastle University is a signatory to the Concordat to support researchers' career development which entitles researchers up to 10 days annually of personal CPD activities.

This post is a (maximum) 60-month fixed term Research Assistant/Associate in History, and a full-time appointment. The successful candidate will start work as soon as possible after 1 March 2027, ending no later than April 18, 2032. Flexible working is welcome, but the postholder must be willing to travel for fieldwork and other research/engagement activities.

Applicants with minority and/or host community backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. Should the successful applicant require a UK Visa for this role, they will be eligible to apply under the Endorsed Funder Route of the Global Talent Visa.

Key Accountabilities:

• Work closely with the project PI and others in the team to carry out research relating to The Night Shift 1850-present
• Work closely with the PI and NHS Research and Development Teams to develop recruitment materials and obtain ethical permissions for semi-structured interviews and focus groups with healthcare professionals and nursing students
• Conduct interviews and focus groups with night workers at North East NHS Trusts (in person and online), and analyse the data collected
• Undertake two periods of knowledge exchange at the National Center for the Working Environment (NFA) in Copenhagen, Denmark
• Collaborate with the project team and partners to deliver public and policy outputs including an exhibition, training materials and a policy toolkit

Research Assistant responsibilities:
• 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 as appropriate

Research Associate additional responsibilities:
• 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

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience (Research Assistant):
• Experience of recruiting, conducting, transcribing and analysing interviews with participants
• Experience of carrying out research in healthcare settings and familiarity with ethical approvals processes
• Experience of developing and organising and/or contributing towards the organisation of public engagement events
• Outstanding communication skills for realising research aims, public engagement and outreach, as well as those necessary to work successfully as part of a team
• 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 and with experience with NVivo software desirable
• The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems

Additional 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:
• 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
• Willingness to work flexibly, responsively and sensitively to the needs of project participants
• Commitment to continued professional development
• Understanding of good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity

Qualifications:
Research Assistant: Masters Degree in Sociology, Geography, Medical Humanities, History or another relevant subject or discipline, or PhD in progress.
Research Associate: Awarded PhD in Sociology, Geography, Medical Humanities, History or another relevant subject or discipline.

Benefits include a generous holiday package, opportunity to buy additional leave, great pension schemes, and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives. Newcastle University holds a Gold Athena Swan award and is a Disability Confident employer.