Research Assistant in Leicester

The Diabetes Research Centre are looking to recruit a talented, motivated individual to join an established, successful research team and contribute to a programme of work in the area of 24-hour physical behaviours and long-term conditions (e.g. type 2 diabetes, obesity). This will involve working closely within our physical activity and clinical digital tools (including our “Steps4Health” and “MyHealthMap programmes) and the MyDesmond digital platform.

You will have background expertise relevant to the topic area (e.g. digital health, health sciences, lifestyle sciences), along with the ability and willingness to test digital platforms and synthesise relevant evidence. You'll be based at the Leicester Diabetes Centre (Leicester General Hospital), which is internationally recognised for its research in the prevention and management of diabetes and other long-term conditions, and also hosts the prestigious NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands, the NIHR Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Commercial Research Delivery Centre, and the Centre for Ethnic Health Research.

You will sit within the Diabetes Research Centre and be closely aligned to the Lifestyle Theme of the NIHR Leicester BRC, but will work directly with various teams across the Leicester Diabetes Centre as part of the M3 programme, including the Implementation, Digital Health, and IMPACT team (which focuses on the development and implementation of multifactorial interventions) and the clinical delivery teams. The post provides an excellent opportunity for an ambitious researcher to work on a prestigious flagship project within a novel priority area, and contribute to the ongoing development of our Research Centre alongside their own professional development.

As a Research Assistant, you will have a MSc in a relevant discipline alongside experience/understanding of conducting lifestyle research projects in clinical populations (which may have been acquired either in paid employment or as a student), and experience/understanding of digital health interventions or tools. You will have a strong interest in developing a career in research, a willingness to undertake training and personal development, and the ability to work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary research team. A full list of essential and desirable criteria can be found in the accompanying job summary form.

This is a part-time role (0.2FTE/7.5 hours per week), fixed-term contract until 28 February 2026 and application closing date is 01 June 2025. As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying.

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world. As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive. We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.