Research Associate - Newcastle University

The Role

We are seeking an enthusiastic Research Associate to undertake qualitative research as part of an NIHR-funded study that is evaluating the impacts on mental health of the implementation of Universal Credit.  You will work closely with Professor Suzanne Moffatt and Professor Clare Bambra at Newcastle University, and Dr Mandy Cheetham, Northumbria University and Dr Marcia Gibson, Glasgow University on a multi-institution qualitative work package. The qualitative work package is part of a large, mixed-method multi-site collaborative study so you will also work alongside other leading researchers from the Universities of Essex, Liverpool and Manchester. Your main role will be to conduct fieldwork and analysis using longitudinal qualitative research methods in Tyne and Wear and collaborate closely with researchers conducting a parallel qualitative study in the Glasgow City Region. This qualitative workstream is one of five workstreams.  It will examine the ways in which the implementation of Universal Credit (UC) and associated changes to the welfare system affect the mental wellbeing of claimants, their households and staff working with UC claimants. The role involves undertaking all aspects of fieldwork in Tyne and Wear; development of topic guides, recruitment, sampling, longitudinal interviewing, photo-elicitation, data analysis and writing up.  In addition, this workstream will study the impact of COVID-19 on existing claimants and their family members, those who moved onto UC during the UK’s lockdown period and those who have subsequently become claimants due to the economic impact of the pandemic. The focus will be on health, wellbeing, debt, food security, fuel poverty, housing, employment, family life, social relationships, health and social care service use and other related outcomes that emerge as a result of longitudinal qualitative enquiry.  Finally, the successful candidate will work closely with other multi-disciplinary team members to inform the quantitative work streams, particularly in relation to mechanisms of effect, subgroup effects, and local variation in implementation.

You will be expected to liaise and work closely with researchers in the partner institutions and associated partners in policy and practice, contributing to the formulation and implementation of detailed research plans, and the preparation and submission of research publications, as well as helping to deliver this complex, challenging and high-profile project.

This is a part time post (18.5 hours per week), fixed term until 31 August 2025.

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Professor Suzanne Moffatt Suzanne.Moffatt@newcastle.ac.uk or Professor Clare Bambra Clare.Bambra@newcastle.ac.uk

Closing date: 17th August 2021

Visit jobs.ncl.ac.uk for full details and to apply

Last modified: Tue, 20 Jul 2021 17:26:57 BST