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.
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
- Undergraduate degree and relevant experience working in/with Third Sector or community-based organisations supporting racialised or marginalised communities;
- 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);
- Current contacts and networks with Third Sector and/or community-based organisations, particularly those supporting racialised or marginalised groups;
- Awareness of critical social science theories/approaches, especially critical suicide studies and critical race theory;
Awareness of qualitative research methods, especially ethnography and participant observation.
Application information
Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume (1-5 pages);
- Cover letter (up to 3 pages) OR in place of a written cover letter, you may submit a video personal statement up to 5 minutes long;
Please see the following link for further information about the Discovering Liveability project and this role, support for minoritised researchers at the University of Edinburgh, and for tips and suggestions for application materials (CV, cover letter or video cover letter).
An online information and Q&A session regarding this post will be held on Friday, 11 th April at 12-1pm (GMT). A recording of the information session will also be made available – contact the same email address to request the recording.
What we offer
As a valued member of our team you can expect:
- A competitive salary;
- Six years dedicated part-time PhD tuition fees;
- Access to a personal well-being fund throughout the project for self-care and well-being support;
- To join a diverse and supportive team of suicide researchers;
- An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work;
- To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community;
- Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).
On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 30th April 2025.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK, the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browser’s local time zone.
Interviews will be held most likely be held at the end of May .
Rough timeline of related PhD application process
- May 2025 – Job offer made.
- June 2025 – Successful applicant supported to apply for the part-time PhD Health in Social Science.
- September 2025 – Post begins. Part-time PhD begins.
About us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
The School of Health in Social Science is a vibrant research and professionally driven academic School within the University of Edinburgh’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. The School strives to have a transformational impact on individuals and communities through internationally excellent research, knowledge exchange, and learning and teaching.
The distinctive composition of disciplines in the School leads to an emphasis on optimising physical, mental and emotional health for people; amplifying the potential of people and communities vulnerable to exclusion and working with others to achieve this. The Subject Areas are: Clinical Psychology; Nursing Studies; and Counselling & Psychotherapy and Applied Social Sciences. The School works in partnership with a wide range of global and local educational and research partners.
The School of Health in Social Science is a leading provider of postgraduate and undergraduate education in health and related fields. We offer two undergraduate programmes (one leading to professional registration in nursing); together with postgraduate degrees in Clinical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy, Health in Social Science, and Nursing Studies and an expanding range of Continuing Professional Development and on-line distance learning opportunities.
The School of Health in Social Science is committed to equal and fair treatment of all its employees and in recognition of the positive promotion of diversity and gender equality among staff and students the School holds a Silver Athena SWAN award.
