Research Assistant York Business School 2025

York St John is an ambitious, modern university at the heart of historic York and there has never been a more exciting time to join us.

As one of the fastest-growing universities in the U.K. over recent years, we have a new strategy for the next decade, emphasising our commitment to widening opportunity through the power of education and contributing our talents to creating a fairer world, and a more prosperous region. We are putting inspirational learning and impact research at the heart of this strategy, recognizing our academic expertise as our greatest asset.

York business school

York Business School was officially launched in 2018 following over 25 years of the delivery of Business and Management education at York St John University. York Business School is an ambitious and innovative business school where students at the centre of everything that we do.

Our burgeoning national and international research profile, excellent teaching and learning, and welcoming and inclusive ethos supports an exceptional student experience.

The role

We are seeking a Research Assistant (Grade 5) to support the QR-funded project, REConnect (River Esk Connect): Climate Action Project. This project aims to understand how the North York Moors National Park’s public engagement programme deepens host communities' connection to nature and improves community awareness of the impact of climate change, the consequential biodiversity loss, and the importance of river catchment landscapes. The Research Assistant will work closely with the lead researcher, assisting with data collection, algorithm development, and analysis.

Key responsibilities will include

• Assisting with organising, with partners, data collection and conducting field research.
• Undertake and literature searches and review
• Contribute to transcription and data analysis using NVivo 15.
• Collaborating with partners and contributing to disseminating research findings, writing reports and papers.
• Documenting research findings and preparing reports
• Attend networking events and represent YSJU externally

Required skills and experience

We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications and skills:

• A Master’s degree or PhD in human geography or sociology, or a related social science field.
• Knowledge of qualitative ethnographic field research and data collection methods.
• Experience analysing and writing up qualitative research.
• Ability to analyse complex qualitative data using NVivo.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team.

Additional information

Unfortunately, this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship however, we welcome your application if you are able to evidence the right to work in the UK via an alternative route.

For informal inquiries, please contact J.Hall@yorksj.ac.uk

The selection process will consist of an interview.

We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive policies and facilities to support staff from different backgrounds. As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive working environment, consideration is given to all requests for job share or flexible working arrangements.

Application process support

We are keen to support you throughout the recruitment process. Before starting your application please refer to the attached candidate guidance which provides advice about completing the application process.

If you require a reasonable adjustment in order to apply for this position please contact vacancies@yorksj.ac.uk. Within the application form there is an opportunity for you to request a reasonable adjustment at the interview stage of the process, however if you wish to discuss this in further detail at any point in the process please do not hesitate to contact us. The following resource may help you adapt the device you are using to apply to suit your needs My Computer My Way (abilitynet.org.uk)

Please note that CVs are not accepted in place of the application form. Within the application process you will be asked to answer a selection of work-related questions. Our aim is to get to know you, and understand your individual skills and experience, and how you would apply these within the role. We are aware that AI can assist you with this, but we would prefer you to share your answers in your own words.

Our benefits package

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including -

• Excellent annual leave entitlement, including five discretionary university closure days over the Christmas period
• Disability leave (applies to staff who have disclosed a disability and is also available to staff with disabled dependants)
• Pension scheme
• Health Cash Plan after six months service
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists
• On-campus courses, one-to-one tutorials, and online resources to help you develop your digital skills and work with new software
• Relocation expenses package for certain roles
• Reimbursement of Skilled Worker Visa application fees and Visa loan scheme for additional costs (if applicable to the role)