Research Assistant – SPACE Project

Research Assistant – SPACE Project
- Part time, Fixed term Be Part of Research That Makes a Difference

At Edinburgh Napier University, we are passionate about creating knowledge that has a positive impact on society. We are seeking a motivated and collaborative Research Assistant to join the SPACE Project, an innovative initiative exploring how communication at the point of data collection shapes public trust, understanding, and willingness to provide identity-related data in policing contexts.

Funded through the SPACE programme and building on an established partnership between Edinburgh Napier University and Fair Justice System for Scotland (FJSS), this project will co-design and evaluate culturally responsive communication tools that can improve confidence in data collection practices and support fairer, more inclusive public services.

This is an exciting opportunity to apply your research skills within a collaborative environment while contributing to work that has real-world impact.

Working closely with the Principal Investigator, community partners, and members of the Lived Experience Group (LEG), you will play a central role in delivering the project, engaging with communities, facilitating workshops, analysing qualitative data, and contributing to meaningful outputs that influence policy and practice.

As a Research Assistant, you will support the day-to-day delivery of the project, helping to ensure activities are delivered effectively and to a high standard. You will contribute to community engagement activities, facilitate co-design workshops, gather and analyse research data, and support the development of practical tools and resources arising from the project.

You will work with a diverse range of stakeholders and communities, applying inclusive, trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches throughout the research process.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and collaborative researcher who is passionate about working with people, values inclusive and trauma-informed approaches, and is committed to delivering high-quality research that drives meaningful change. You will bring experience of supporting and delivering research or project-based initiatives, alongside strong qualitative research and analytical skills, enabling you to gather, interpret and translate complex findings into practical recommendations and impactful outputs.

The ideal candidate will be confident engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, facilitating discussions and presenting insights to different audiences. You will also have experience producing reports, guidance and project resources, while ensuring compliance with ethical, governance and data management requirements.

Above all, you will demonstrate a professional, inclusive and collaborative approach, with a strong commitment to research integrity, equality, diversity and inclusion.

• A postgraduate qualification (or equivalent experience) in social research, sociology, criminology, social policy, public policy, community development, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience delivering qualitative research, including the design and facilitation of interviews, focus groups, workshops and participatory research activities.
• Experience engaging and building relationships with diverse communities, stakeholders and partner organisations.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills, with the confidence to present findings to a range of audiences.
• Highly organised and self‑motivated, with the ability to manage competing priorities while ensuring compliance with ethical, governance and data management requirements.
• A collaborative and professional approach, underpinned by a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, co‑production, trauma‑informed practice and research integrity.

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK and start before the proposed start date.