Research Assistant

Updated: 11 months ago
Location: Durham, ENGLAND
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Research Assistant  (
Job Number:
 23000318)
Department of Psychology
Grade 6: - £28,929 per annum (pro rata)
Fixed Term - Part Time
Contract Duration: 6 months
Contracted Hours per Week: 17.5
Closing Date
: 25-Apr-2023, 6:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Please note that the successful applicant will require DBS disclosure. Further info: https://bit.ly/3DP5K8y 

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.  

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here .

The Department

The Department of Psychology at Durham University has an outstanding research environment, and the successful candidate will play a significant role in maintaining its reputation as a world-class department for conducting world leading research (including in developmental psychology). Founded in 1952, the Department of Psychology is consistently ranked as one of the very best in the UK with an outstanding and growing reputation for excellence in research. We are currently ranked in the top 100 of Psychology Departments world-wide according to the QS World Rankings. The department is extremely well-equipped for research, including excellent facilities for developmental science research, eye-tracking, virtual reality, EEG/ERP and biophysiological recording. The department benefits from full IT and mechanical research support from departmental technicians and is a member of a large inter-disciplinary network across the University. The Department is proud to be a Silver Athena Swan Award holder, recognising our commitment to advancing women's careers in STEM and promoting equality/diversity.

The successful candidate will join the vibrant Developmental Science Research Group who host regular meetings and activities. Furthermore they will have  the opportunity to join a host of  interdisciplinary networks across the University, such as those supporting early career researchers. The successful candidate will be a core member of the Centre for Neurodiversity & Development which includes researchers conducting a wide range of studies in the field of neurodevelopmental research – especially focused on Autism and Williams syndrome. They will be invited to join the North East Autism Research group.

The Role

A 6-month fixed-term Research Assistant (RA) position is available 2.5 days per week in the Department of Psychology at Durham University. The successful candidate will join the research project “Better Research Together – Building Sustainable Research-Community Partnerships in Neurodiversity” led by Dr Mary Hanley, Dr Keren MacLennan, Dr Ben Alderson-Day and Prof Debbie Riby and funded by a Research England grant. The project focuses on expanding participatory research in neurodiversity through the Centre for Neurodiversity and Development.  Participatory research methods are becoming an ever-more important part of the work of the Centre, and this project is about expanding our ability to engage with participatory research methods. A critical element of the project is engagement with the neurodiverse community to expand our participatory panel of experts by experience, and to co-produce research training and safeguarding materials to guide the work of the panel.

The Project Team: The research assistant will join a vibrant research group in the field of neurodiversity (inc 5 PhD students, a postdoc, academic staff). The grant is held by a team, including Dr Mary Hanley (PI), Dr Keren MacLennan, Dr Ben Alderson-Day and Prof Debbie Riby. Dr Hanley will lead on providing the RA with supervision.

Expectations: The successful applicant will be expected to carry out day-to-day responsibilities  running of the project, including: submitting ethics applications, recruiting experts by experience to be a part of the participatory panel, organising and leading a series of consultations where research training materials and safeguarding resources are co-produced; producing training videos and safeguarding resources. They will need to interact with various stakeholder groups (e.g. researchers, neurodiverse community, parents, clinicians, voluntary sector workers) The work will be conducted using online methods (e.g. video conferencing), and face-to-face work in Durham University.  The successful applicant will be expected to actively engage with the activities of the Centre for Neurodiversity and Development. Standard RA responsibilities and specific requirements are listed in more detail below.

Responsibilities:

  • To understand and convey information which needs careful explanation to the team or group of people and to a wide range of stakeholders, through presentations, discussions and meetings which contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
  • To write up results of project work, present information on project progress and outcomes in a clear and accurate manner to the team and where relevant to stakeholders and or/wider community.
  • To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of project objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator and offering creative or innovative solutions.
  • To contribute to the planning and running of the project.
  • To manage and coordinate consultation activities and research resources.
  • To provide specialist expertise and support with complex data and information sources and interpretation and analysis.
  • To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
  • To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
  • To engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses.  

This post is fixed term for 6 months and this is set by the level of funding provided for this post by the sponsor, Research England.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1st May 2023.

Working at Durham 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 

  • 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year.  
  • We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
  • No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
  • There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. 
  • Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
  • On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
  • Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
  • The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
  • Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. 
  • A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. 
  • If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

Contact Information 

Department contact for academic-related enquiries 

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Mary Hanley [email protected] .  All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence. 

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application 

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email.  Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to [email protected]  

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time.  We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).  

How to Apply  

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.  

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.  We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What to Submit 

All applicants are asked to submit: 

  • a CV and covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the criteria set out below 

We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system.  Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails. 

Next Steps 

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department.  The assessment for the post will normally include an online assessment and online interview to be held in April 2023.

In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date. 

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.   

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.


Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

  • A good first degree. 
  • Experience working with neurodivergent people (in a research or applied setting, and/or via advocacy work).
  • Knowledge of research methods within psychology and the social sciences.
  • Demonstrable ability to produce concise high-quality materials (written/audio-visual) for a range of stakeholders.
  • Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
  • Ability to manage time effectively and work to strict deadlines.
  • Ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders.
  • Desirable Criteria:

  • Knowledge of participatory research methods.
  • Ability to produce high quality digital creative design content.


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