Research Assistant/ Associate in ESRC IAA 'Rural Futures' Project

Location: Newcastle, GB

Research Assistant/ Associate in ESRC IAA 'Rural Futures' Project

Requisition ID

29765

Location

Newcastle, GB

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Contract Type

Fixed Term

Working Pattern

Part Time

Posted Date

16 Oct 2026

Salary

Research Assistant  £33,951 to £35,608 per annum, pro rata

Research Associate £36,636 to £46,049 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: 09 November 2026

The Role

We are excited to launch this opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Research Assistant/Associate on the exciting new ESRC IAA-funded project, 'Working together to create better futures for rural Gateshead'.

This innovative impact project explores how to embed new sustainable, relational ways of working with communities in rural Gateshead. This will be supported by community training in community organising and research skills, to build community confidence in developing and using a theory of change to hold policymakers to account and provide a structure for community collaboration. In this project, community members are positioned as key expert decision makers and educators in the development of more inclusive and sustainable rural futures.

You will join a community of colleagues, based in Newcastle, within Education in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences (ECLS) You will be part of The Community for Learning and Teaching (CfLaT) research group, as well as connecting to other associated research groups across the University, including the Centre for Children and Youth.

This role supports the ESRC IAA project, 'Working together to create better futures for rural Gateshead', led by Dr Deborah Ralls (Education) in partnership with Gateshead Council Localities Team.

The study is structured in several stages, involving

Qualitative data collection and analysis from community conversations, community workshops and participatory mapping sessions with children, adults and policymakers in rural Gateshead

Qualitative data collection and analysis from co-design workshops developing community organising skills, training young researchers, and producing a theory of change and community manifesto

Planning, co-facilitating and recording of meetings, workshops and a final event with local communities and Gateshead Council, including supporting the development of the Gateshead Council Rural Futures Working Group and a Community Collective Panel

We welcome applications from individuals with

A background in the Humanities or Social Sciences with experience in conducting co-produced qualitative impact studies and research, or

Qualitative participatory research skills and experience that can support the development of new, creative and collaborative approaches to policymaking with local communities

You will lead qualitative data collection and analysis, including:

Recruiting and contacting study participants and helping to plan and deliver creative participatory approaches to data collection, including community workshops, meetings and events

Supporting participants to share their experiences and opinions on how to work together for better futures for rural Gateshead

Analysing and recording data using established qualitative methods

Coordinating key project activities with Gateshead Council, local community groups and schools, and other key project partners such as Youth Focus North East and Citizens UK

Maintaining relationships with Gateshead Council, community groups and schools

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to impactful research and work within a dynamic, interdisciplinary project. You will be part of a supportive research environment with colleagues experienced in community engagement, policymaking, and creative participatory methodologies.

If a newly qualified practitioner, we would provide support for individuals to complete some of the NQP competencies consistent with the scope of this role.

You should be self-motivated, organised, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. An interest in place-based education research, creative participatory methodologies and community engagement is essential.

We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment. We would be happy to discuss arrangements for flexible working, including a combination of working on campus and remotely, and flexibility around start and finish times, appropriate to the needs of the role.

However, please note that responsibilities of this role, linked to collecting qualitative data, will require attendance at some in-person focus groups, workshops and other related activities in rural Gateshead (primarily Chopwell and Highfield, but may expand to other wards as project develops and progresses) and Newcastle University.  This may require occasional work outside of standard hours to facilitate participant engagement in activities around their work and other commitments.

The post holder will be required to hold/undergo a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.

This part-time, fixed term post is available at 20% of full time (0.2FTE). This will be until 31.10.27.

Start date: As soon as possible

You will report to Dr Deborah Ralls (Principal Investigator) and Dr Helen Coulson (co-Investigator).  We want you to feel confident when applying for a position with Newcastle University. If you’d like an informal discussion to clarify any points, please contact Dr Deborah Ralls [email protected]. We are committed to making the process accessible to everyone and can provide additional support to adjustments to meet your needs.

To apply – Please include a CV and a cover letter which demonstrates how you meet the essent