Research Assistant - Discovering Liveability Project

Please note, this post is fixed-term until 31 August 2030 and full-time at 1 FTE.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant (plus PhD tuition fees) to join the Discovering Liveability: Co-producing alternatives to suicide prevention project. You will be joining an ambitious interdisciplinary cross-institutional team and will be actively contributing to innovative suicide research that centres liveability and lived/living experience. More information about our project can be found here https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/discovering-liveability/.

The post requires in-person ethnographic work in an urban area of England (the exact location will be discussed once the post begins). The post also comes with dedicated funding for the postholder to undertake a part-time MPhil/PhD in Social Sciences in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lincoln. The project will fund tuition fees (home fees only) for a maximum of five years during employment on the project. More information on the MPhil/PhD Programme can be found here:  https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/socscirp/.

One of our project goals is to contribute to diversifying suicide research and related knowledges and practices. This role directly addresses this by focusing on community practices of care for racialised/marginalised groups. In addition, the role is suitable for, and welcoming of, candidates who have lived/living experiences with suicide/suicidality.

Skills/Experience That You Will Need to Succeed

Relevant experience working in/with Third Sector or community-based organisations supporting racialised or marginalised communities, plus an undergraduate degree;

• Or a Master’s degree in a relevant social science subject. [N.B. You do not need to have a postgraduate degree to apply for this position];
• Current contacts and networks with Third Sector and/or community-based organisations, particularly those supporting racialised or marginalised groups;
• Awareness of critical social science theories/approaches, especially critical suicide studies and critical race theory;
• Awareness of qualitative research methods, especially ethnography and participant observation.

An online information and Q&A session regarding this post will be held on Friday 16th May 2025 between 12.00-13.00. Please contact discoveringliveability@ed.ac.uk for the session invite. A recording of the information session will also be made available – contact the same email address to request the recording.

There is also a separate information sheet available here https://www.canva.com/design/DAGkzwQO5Dw/1WQl8BnHnHSR18xZQGoGVw/view?utm_content=DAGkzwQO5Dw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h6b9d2be643

For additional information please contact Alex Oaten via the Project email address - discoveringliveability@ed.ac.uk  

Benefits of the Post

• Dedicated part-time PhD tuition fees
• Access to a personal well-being fund throughout the project
• To join a diverse and supportive team of suicide researchers
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community

Further details:

• Job Description and Person Specification

You can find out more about working at Lincoln, and everything that we have to offer, at: https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/jobopportunities/

We strive for a diverse workforce with the very best employees and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. The University encourages applications from underrepresented groups inclusive of Black, Asian and other minoritised/marginalised ethnic groups, all gender identities and expressions from the LGBTQIA+ community, candidates with a disability, and those that practise different faiths and beliefs, to enhance our One Community where we strive to be kind, patient, and supportive of each other.

Closing Date: Sunday 01 June 2025
Interview Date: Friday 20 June 2025

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