Research Assistant (Discovering Liveability)

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: for 5 years

The Opportunity: 

Research Assistant (+ six years PhD tuition fees) to join the Discovering Liveability: Co-producing alternatives to suicide prevention project, contributing to innovative suicide research that centres liveability and lived/living experience.  

This post is full-time (35 hours per week) for 5 years. The post also comes with dedicated funding for the postholder to undertake a part-time PhD (Doctoral degree/postgraduate research degree) in Health in Social Science at the University of Edinburgh. The project will fund PhD tuition fees (home fees) for a maximum of six years.

This role specifically focuses on developing research that is led by and co-produced with people who have lived and/or living experience of suicide. As such, we are seeking to recruit applicants with their own lived experiences of suicide (personal experience of suicidal thoughts or attempts, suicide bereavement, or caring for someone experiencing suicidality) who would like to conduct their own suicide research project as part of the Discovering Liveability team. We also encourage people from under-represented groups to apply. 

Although we can offer some informal flexibility around hybrid working, the post requires regular in-person attendance (weekly) at the University of Edinburgh for meetings and training. The post holder will also be required to conduct qualitative field work within settings defined by their research proposal, which may involve (UK) travel/staying in fieldwork locations.  

The salary for this post is Grade UE06: £34,610.00 to £39,906.00 per annum, the post-holder be appointable on first point of the grade due to budgetary restrictions (£34,610.00), with automatic increments awarded as outlined in Conditions of Service. 

Your skills and attributes for success:  

• Lived or living experience of suicide or suicidality; defined as personal experience of suicidal thoughts or attempts, suicide bereavement, or caring for someone experiencing suicidality and a desire to engage that experience to lead your own research. 
• Hold an undergraduate degree and/or a Master’s degree in a relevant social science subject. You do not need to have a postgraduate degree to apply for this position. 
• You have an idea for a suicide research project you would like to conduct led by your lived/living experience of suicide or suicidality. 
• Have an ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, and English-language proficiency as required for admission to the PhD Health in Social Science. 
• Experience engaging and building rapport with individuals of diverse backgrounds. 
• Have an aware of the sensitivities and ethical considerations of working with suicide. 

Closing date: 27/04/2026 11:59PM

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