Research Assistant in Drug Education
| Posting date: | 06 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 23 January 2026 |
| Location: | Hendon, North West London |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Middlesex University |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | BAL38 |
Summary
Role Summary
The role will be held by a postgraduate (early career) researcher. The researcher will support project management, be responsible for teacher liaison, will assist with qualitative aspects of data collection and analysis, and participate in dissemination.
Job Purpose
To contribute to the NIHR funded study, A realist evaluation of drug education for 13-15 year olds in alternative education and deprived areas (REAL-DEP, Phase 3), by providing research and project support to senior researchers to enable the delivery of the intended results, to the benefit of the Funder, the School, the University and the wider community.
Main responsibilities:
Research and knowledge transfer
Individually and with others, contribute to the research project through undertaking fieldwork and assisting with focus groups, using qualitative research methodologies.
To be available to travel between recruitment sites within England and Scotland.
To be responsible for on-going liaison with teachers participating in the research, overseeing and managing the data collection and assisting with data analysis.
To contribute to the production of research reports, conference papers, and peer-reviewed journals where appropriate.
To attend research meetings and liaise as required with the programme delivery team.
Administration
Provide administrative support to the project to include but not limited to arranging team meetings, attendance at meetings, note taking, file management, organisation of events, including the final project event, and dissemination of information to stakeholders.
Undertake other activities, as required.
Fixed Term Contract
This temporary appointment is for the following allowable reason:
• To carry out a project which is being funded externally for a period of 14 months.
If you are applying as an internal candidate to do the temporary post as a secondment please discuss this with your line manager first and read our Secondment Guidelines.
Leave: 35 days per annum plus eight Bank Holidays and seven University days taken at Christmas (pro rata for part-time staff) which may need to be taken as time off in lieu.
For nil hours contracts annual leave is accrued pro rata on the basis of 0.125 for each hour worked
Flexibility: Please note that given the need for flexibility in order to meet the changing requirements of the University, the duties and location of this post and the role of the post-holder may be changed after consultation. The balance of duties may vary over time and will be reviewed as part of the appraisal process.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Post Title: Research Assistant for drug education project
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential requirements
Appropriate academic qualifications and experience (a postgraduate degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline)
Understanding of qualitative research methods and research design
Experience of using a variety of qualitative research methods and data analysis techniques
Experience of conducting qualitative interviews/ focus groups
Flexibility to travel and carry out fieldwork in different locations within Scotland and England
Proven computer literacy in standard office software applications
Ability to communicate effectively within a team and externally, in writing and orally
Evidence of ability to support the production of research reports/papers within an academic environment
Ability to provide administrative support, organise and keep records of team activities
Excellent planning and organisational skills
Ability to work under pressure and to deal with unforeseen issues
Demonstrable commitment to fairness and the principles of equality and inclusion
Desirable requirements
• Ability to use NVIVO or similar qualitative analysis software
• Understanding of substance use education and prevention
• Experience of conducting research with young people, teachers and parents/carers
The role will be held by a postgraduate (early career) researcher. The researcher will support project management, be responsible for teacher liaison, will assist with qualitative aspects of data collection and analysis, and participate in dissemination.
Job Purpose
To contribute to the NIHR funded study, A realist evaluation of drug education for 13-15 year olds in alternative education and deprived areas (REAL-DEP, Phase 3), by providing research and project support to senior researchers to enable the delivery of the intended results, to the benefit of the Funder, the School, the University and the wider community.
Main responsibilities:
Research and knowledge transfer
Individually and with others, contribute to the research project through undertaking fieldwork and assisting with focus groups, using qualitative research methodologies.
To be available to travel between recruitment sites within England and Scotland.
To be responsible for on-going liaison with teachers participating in the research, overseeing and managing the data collection and assisting with data analysis.
To contribute to the production of research reports, conference papers, and peer-reviewed journals where appropriate.
To attend research meetings and liaise as required with the programme delivery team.
Administration
Provide administrative support to the project to include but not limited to arranging team meetings, attendance at meetings, note taking, file management, organisation of events, including the final project event, and dissemination of information to stakeholders.
Undertake other activities, as required.
Fixed Term Contract
This temporary appointment is for the following allowable reason:
• To carry out a project which is being funded externally for a period of 14 months.
If you are applying as an internal candidate to do the temporary post as a secondment please discuss this with your line manager first and read our Secondment Guidelines.
Leave: 35 days per annum plus eight Bank Holidays and seven University days taken at Christmas (pro rata for part-time staff) which may need to be taken as time off in lieu.
For nil hours contracts annual leave is accrued pro rata on the basis of 0.125 for each hour worked
Flexibility: Please note that given the need for flexibility in order to meet the changing requirements of the University, the duties and location of this post and the role of the post-holder may be changed after consultation. The balance of duties may vary over time and will be reviewed as part of the appraisal process.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Post Title: Research Assistant for drug education project
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential requirements
Appropriate academic qualifications and experience (a postgraduate degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline)
Understanding of qualitative research methods and research design
Experience of using a variety of qualitative research methods and data analysis techniques
Experience of conducting qualitative interviews/ focus groups
Flexibility to travel and carry out fieldwork in different locations within Scotland and England
Proven computer literacy in standard office software applications
Ability to communicate effectively within a team and externally, in writing and orally
Evidence of ability to support the production of research reports/papers within an academic environment
Ability to provide administrative support, organise and keep records of team activities
Excellent planning and organisational skills
Ability to work under pressure and to deal with unforeseen issues
Demonstrable commitment to fairness and the principles of equality and inclusion
Desirable requirements
• Ability to use NVIVO or similar qualitative analysis software
• Understanding of substance use education and prevention
• Experience of conducting research with young people, teachers and parents/carers
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