Research Assistant

When you work for the University of Central Lancashire, you’ll be part of a thriving community of talent that’s united in a common commitment to transform lives. We do this by delivering an outstanding educational experience and creating prosperity and opportunity in the communities we serve. Whatever your role, you’ll be playing a vital part in helping us achieve our vision

About the role:

This post has been created at the University's Westlakes campus within a multidisciplinary team involved in high impact outcome-orientated research, publication, and knowledge exchange. The post represents a unique opportunity to undertake a highly career-relevant research opportunity in a specific discipline within a wider, applied setting and be involved in the design and implementation of impactful policy-relevant research. The post-holder will work within a University research team led by Professor Michelle Baybutt, Director of the Healthy and Sustainable Settings Unit at the University's Preston Campus, and within a cluster of research staff based at its Westlakes Campus near Whitehaven.

The post holder will contribute to strengthening and supporting the thematic research area of Health and Wellbeing with day-to-day responsibility for data collection and, in collaboration with colleagues, data analysis and writing of reports. The post-holder will work together with the University’s Healthy and Sustainable Settings Unit (HSSU) and Cumberland Council in the context of the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC), whilst further developing their own aligned research skills and experience. They will actively participate in the development and dissemination of research with peers, external stakeholders and relevant organisations. 

The post is aimed at an early career researcher and a part-time PhD scholarship with the University of Central Lancashire (funded by Westlakes Research Limited) will be available to the post holder. The PhD includes an opportunity to work with the National Institute for Health Research funded Health Determinant Research Collaboration [HDRC] in the newly constituted Cumberland Council. This will enable the candidate gains experience in applying research within the statutory and third sector, helping Cumberland to embed evidence into everything it does.

The post will provide opportunities to work with distinguished academic colleagues at the University, both at Westlakes and as part of the wider University family, develop transferable knowledge and skills in academic research, and engage with relevant stakeholders in public, private and social sectors to contribute to the development, delivery, and impact of the research theme.

About you:

The successful candidate will have experience of working in a Public Health field related to healthy communities as well a working background in conducting research using different methodologies. They will have contributed to peer reviewed publications alongside the writing of high quality research reports. The post holder will be educated to both undergraduate degree and Masters/higher post graduate level in a relevant public health subject area. They will also possess excellent organisation skills and the competence in various IT applications such as Microsoft Office and Research software such as NVivo and SPSS. 

What we can offer you:

Our people are our most important asset. We’ll encourage you to make the most of your talents and continually develop your skills and knowledge. As well as realising your career ambitions, you’ll be making a positive difference to other people’s lives. We also offer a fantastic package of rewards and lifestyle benefits – from an attractive annual leave entitlement to access to a comprehensive employee benefits platform.

We are proud to be a diverse, multicultural university. We are committed to building a truly inclusive culture where diversity is championed. Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals who will support the diversification within the University and support its development of a culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all.

The University is committed to providing a safe environment to study, work and visit, protecting children, young people and adults at risk from harm and abuse. Our safeguarding policy and safer recruitment procedure outlines our approach, alongside other internal policies, procedures and guidance which can be found on our Safeguarding page.

Applicants applying for roles in regulated activity and that are listed as an exception under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 will be required to disclose any spent and unspent convictions and undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check at the appropriate level, the University will only ask an applicant to make an application for a DBS check if they are legally entitled to.