Research Assistant in Realist Synthesis

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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: 16 February 2026

You will focus on undertaking a realist evidence synthesis to support ongoing work with the PSRC theme. This theme is dedicated to investigating and building evidence about how safe, effective, digitally enhanced and integrated care is best designed, delivered and implemented in the post-pandemic NHS.

You will work with researchers and external stakeholders from local authorities, across primary, secondary and voluntary sector settings and with patient and public groups. You will be tasked to complete a realist evidence synthesis according to a set protocol. This will involve gathering and reviewing published literature, evidence and data alongside actively engaging with a stakeholder group to support the evidence synthesis.

The review is aiming to understand evidence about the use of digital technology in a specific area of health care delivery.

You will join a vibrant team of researchers within the Newcastle NIHR Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC). You will benefit from the active community, training and networking events. This post is an appointment to the ‘Safer integrated health and social care environments for patients with multiple long-term conditions’ theme.

This post is part time, one day per week, fixed term for a period of 12 months.

For more information about the NIHR Newcastle PSRC, please visit:
Pioneering Patient Safety Research - PSRC

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. 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.

• 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 the study, thus providing substantial 'added value'
• Undertake and contribute to public/patient involvement/engagement (PPIE) to support the study
• Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
• Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and 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
• 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
• 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
• May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities
• Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment
• Experience and/or understanding of public/patient involvement/engagement in research
• To ensure compliance with secure handling of data
• Work with data engineers to understand and inform functionality and patient usability and accessibility of digital tools and interfaces that facilitate safe integrated care
  
  The Person (Essential)
  Knowledge, Skills and Experience
  • Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
  • Detailed methodological knowledge of realism as a form of evidence synthesis
  • Advanced skills directly related to the research study
  • High level of analytical and problem-solving capability
  • Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to…