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Research Assistant £32,546 to £34,132 per annum
Research Associate £35,116 to £45,413 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package, plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes, and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
The Role
We are seeking to appoint a Research Assistant/Associate (RA) with a background in archival research and oral history and/or other interview techniques to work on an innovative project entitled, Accessing the Wellbeing Commons: Therapeutic resource-fication of natural and historic environments and social exclusion in the UK and Inner Asia, led by PI Dr Elizabeth Turk and funded by the Wellcome Trust.
Accessing the Wellbeing Commons is an ambitious, multi-sited research project analysing how social inequalities arise from differential access to therapeutic environments. Adopting a bold, transnational comparative framework, the project engages mixed historical and anthropological methods to generate conceptual shifts in understanding the complexities of social exclusion. Working with a range of local and national stakeholders, the RA will explore how people have accessed and used blue spaces in Devon, UK, for health and wellbeing, set in a historical context. This involves conducting oral histories, interviews, and archival and ethnographic research to understand changing patterns of land ownership, governance, and access, and how these changes are perceived and experienced by past and present users of rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.
This is an excellent opportunity for an early career researcher to receive mentoring, gain experience in scholarly editing, project management, impact and public engagement activities, and research networking. They will be encouraged to develop their own research goals and manage their training budget, leading to joint and sole-authored publications.
This post is a (maximum) 4-year fixed-term, full-time Research Assistant/Associate in History, starting as soon as possible after 1 October 2025. Flexible working is welcome, but the postholder must be willing to travel for fieldwork and other research activities.
Applicants from minority and/or host community backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. If the successful applicant requires a UK Visa, they will be eligible to apply under the Endorsed Funder Route of the Global Talent Visa, with university support provided.
The project is hosted in the School of History, Classics & Archaeology, which offers a vibrant research culture. The RA will receive academic and pastoral support, training, mentoring, and access to extensive development opportunities, including a bespoke personal development plan and peer support. Newcastle University supports researcher career development with up to 10 days annually of CPD activities.
To apply, upload an up-to-date CV, a cover letter outlining how you meet the essential criteria, and one relevant writing sample (e.g., journal article, thesis chapter, or essay-in-progress, 7,000-10,000 words).
- Work closely with the project PI and team on research studies related to the project
- Conduct oral histories and interviews exploring past and current therapeutic uses of blue spaces in Devon
- Identify and collaborate with a user-based Project Advisory Group, Historic England, and other groups
- Employ archival research to support project aims
- Develop a policy briefing for UK policymakers
- Help develop and maintain a Digital Hub for the project
- Attend meetings, workshops, and conferences
- Disseminate research findings and engage in knowledge exchange
- Author and co-author publications
- Contribute to the research culture of the School and Faculty
The Person
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
- Experience conducting oral histories/interviews
- Knowledge of health and environmental history, especially related to British landscapes
- Emerging or established record of research presentations/publications
- Excellent communication skills for research, public engagement, and teamwork
- Commitment to issues of equality, access, and discrimination in historical research
Attributes and Behaviour
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently
- Strong writing, organizational, and time management skills
- Sensitivity in working with diverse research collaborators and audiences
- Willingness to work across disciplines and conduct immersive fieldwork in Devon
- Interest in developing ethnographic research skills
Qualifications
- Master's degree or near completion of a PhD in history or relevant disciplines (geography, anthropology, sociology, etc.)
Newcastle University is committed to diversity and inclusion, providing a welcoming environment and supporting equality. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and are proud to hold awards recognizing our efforts in gender equality and race equality. We are a Disability Confident employer and support researchers through initiatives like Euraxess.