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

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Requisition

Location:

Newcastle, GB

Contract Type:
Fixed Term

Working Pattern:
Part Time

Posted Date: 16 Oct 2026

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, '
Work ing 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.

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 inthe 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 policy making 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, policy making, 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…