Research Assistant – Maternity Health & Inequality (Fixed-Term) in Newcastle upon Tyne

Applications are invited for an ambitious Research Assistant/Associate to work at Newcastle University Population Health Sciences Institute, across a nationally‑leading research programme funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) as part of the NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium (MDC). The NIHR Maternity Disparities Consortium (NIHR MDC) is a £50 million NIHR investment which brings together a diverse range of organisations with expertise in research, capacity development and working with people and communities to deliver a step change in maternity outcomes and developing future research leaders in this area of need. The research carried out by the consortium will focus on inequalities before, during and after pregnancy. The postholder will work within the Pregnancy, birth and early postnatal maternal health theme, with particular focus on research programmes in cardiometabolic risk prevention and management and equitable perinatal mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.

The NIHR MDC is co‑ordinated from Newcastle University (Research and Capacity Development) and the University of Birmingham (Research). The postholder will be based at Newcastle University. The University operates blended working but it is expected you will spend the majority of your time on site. The researcher will support the MDC in delivering impactful research and knowledge mobilisation activities with partners across the health and care system. You will be expected to support the development and delivery of components of the theme’s research programme for the initial 21 month period. This is a full‑time fixed term role for 21 months.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Work alongside NIHR MDC colleagues and research themes to ensure coherence across work programmes with a focus on cardiometabolic risk prevention and perinatal mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.
• Work with community organisations to ensure meaningful involvement and engagement.
• Support the development of research studies relating to perinatal mental health and cardiometabolic care within the Consortium.

In addition, for Research Associate

• Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project.
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research.
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations.
• Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications.
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding.
• Apply diverse, participatory methods such as Appreciative Inquiry, and to co‑produce interventions concerning perinatal mental health and psychosocial wellbeing and cardiometabolic care for embedding into routine maternity and postnatal systems.

Other Duties

• To undertake appropriate administrative tasks.
• To attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary.
• To attend regular research team meetings.
• Maintain professional development by undertaking any necessary training and/or development through the university and/or NIHR MDC.
• To comply with relevant Health and Safety regulation, GDPR, and University policy legislation and regulations, e.g. Equality & Diversity.

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Ability to plan, organise and undertake a complex workload with multiple and competing priorities.
• Experience of intervention development and/or implementation science research.
• Experience of qualitative research including co‑production/participatory approaches.
• Experience of active engagement with community groups and stakeholders.
• Ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team, across institutions, and to develop and maintain good relationships with colleagues and healthcare professionals.
• Competent computer skills including relevant scientific and analytical software.
• Ability to clearly present information verbally, electronically and on paper.

In addition, for Research Associate

• Awareness of the research environment.
• High level of analytical and problem solving capacity.
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity.
• Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications.
• Experience or an interest in patient and public involvement and engagement in research (PPIE).
• Experience of conducting research in NHS settings.
• Experience of maternity-related research.
• Experience of mental health and/or cardiometabolic health research.

Attributes and Behaviour

• Willingness to undertake any necessary training and deliver in‑house training to others.
• Willingness to attend and contribute to research group and staff meetings.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Honesty and integrity, and understanding of ethical and clinical governance procedures.
• 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

• Research Assistant: Honours degree and/or qualification related to health, behavioural or implementation science.
• Research Associate: PhD in behavioural, implementation science or other related health fields.

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, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population. 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.

Closing Date: 23 July 2026