Research Assistant (Discovering Liveability)

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 40,000

Job description

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 requires in-person ethnographic work in an urban area of Scotland, exact location to be discussed once the post begins. The post also comes with dedicated funding for the postholder to undertake a part-time PhD (Doctoral degree/postgraduate research degree) Health in Social Science at the University of Edinburgh. The project will fund PhD tuition fees (home fees) for a maximum of six years. Link to information about the degree programme: health.ed.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/phd-health-in-social-science.

We particularly encourage candidates from racialised and minoritised backgrounds to apply to this role, as one of our project goals is to contribute to diversifying suicide research and related knowledges and practices. This role directly addresses this by focusing on community practices of care for racialised/marginalised groups. In addition, the role is suitable for and welcoming of candidates who have lived/living experiences with suicide/suicidality.

The salary for this post is Grade 6: £34,132.00 to £39,355.00 per annum. Appointment will be made at Spinal Point 26 (£34,132.00) due to budgetary restrictions.

Your skills and attributes for success:

1. Undergraduate degree and relevant experience working in/with Third Sector or community-based organisations supporting racialised or marginalised communities;
2. Master’s degree in a relevant social science subject is desirable (You do not need to have a postgraduate degree to apply for this position);
3. Current contacts and networks with Third Sector and/or community-based organisations, particularly those supporting racialised or marginalised groups;
4. Awareness of critical social science theories/approaches, especially critical suicide studies and critical race theory;
5. Awareness of qualitative research methods, especially ethnography and participant observation.

The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336.