Research Assistant in Digital Measures Qualitative Sub-study in Newcastle upon Tyne

Salary: £33,951 to £35,608 per annum. Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits including a generous holiday package, pension schemes, and health and wellbeing initiatives.

Closing Date: 10 July 2026

The Role

We are excited to advertise this new opportunity for a Research Assistant to undertake a qualitative sub-study embedded within the EJS ACT-PD Digital Measures Study. The aim of this qualitative sub-study is to explore participant perceptions, clinically meaningful change, and to inform handling of missing data. You will join a diverse community of colleagues based in Newcastle – the Digital Health Innovation in Ageing and Neurodegeneration (DIAN) Research Group, founded by Professor Lynn Rochester.

This Research Assistant role is funded by philanthropic donation and is embedded within the EJS ACT-PD Digital Measures Study led by Newcastle University. The Digital Measures study is funded by the Michael J Fox Foundation and uses wearable digital technology to measure change in mobility in people taking part in the EJS ACT-PD study. This is a multi-arm multi-stage clinical study led by University College London (UCL) which aims to find a treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD).

The project will support the development and validation of DMOs as electronic Clinical Outcome Assessments (eCOAs) for trials that seek to evaluate disease-modifying therapies. Objective outcome measures are needed to speed up the evaluation of therapies and ultimately improve outcomes for people with PD.

You will undertake a qualitative sub-study embedded within the EJS ACT-PD Digital Measures Study. This will explore participant perception of digital measurement to improve acceptability and inclusivity, as well as to inform methodology for analyses (handling of missing data and sensitivity analyses). The RA will also examine the clinical meaningfulness of DMOs through both anchor-based methods and meaningful change thresholds.

We are looking to appoint an early career quantitative researcher interested in wearable technology, Digital Mobility Outcomes (DMOs), and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Candidates may have experience in qualitative methodologies or regulatory experience.

To apply for this role, you will need to have a degree in a relevant healthcare science, bioengineering, or statistics, and a Masters degree with research experience in a relevant discipline.

If you’d like an informal discussion to clarify any points, please contact Isabel Neatrour: Isabel.neatrour@newcastle.ac.uk. We are committed to making the application process accessible to everyone and can provide additional support to adjustments to meet your needs.

To apply, please complete the online application and upload a CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should be a detailed supporting statement outlining why you are a good fit for the role. Please explain how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the job description and evidence this with examples.

The post is full time, fixed term for 21 months.

Key Accountabilities:

• Work and interact within the wider EJS ACT-PD clinical trial
• Set up a Patient and Public Involvement group to develop an acceptable study protocol
• Prepare and submit the study protocol to ethics
• Conduct interviews and carry out qualitative data analyses
• Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
• Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s)
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project
• Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books)
• Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge of or experience in Parkinson’s disease or related conditions
• Knowledge of clinical research and relevant regulatory requirements
• Knowledge of or experience in undertaking Patient and Public Involvement activities
• Experience of working with patients
• Experience in, or knowledge of, qualitative and quantitative methodologies
• Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
• Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
• Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
• The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems

Attributes and Behaviour:

• Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research team
• Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines
• Commitment to continued professional development
• Understanding of good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity

Qualifications:

• Honours degree in a relevant healthcare science, bioengineering or statistics, and a Masters degree with research experience in a relevant discipline

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution. We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme. In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.