Research Assistant in Public Services
| Posting date: | 20 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £24,685 to £28,778 per year |
| Additional salary information: | fixed term for 12 months |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 07 April 2026 |
| Location: | Derby, Derbyshire |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | University of Derby |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 0250-25 |
Summary
About the University
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
About the College/Department
At the heart of shaping future professionals and creative thinkers, the College of Health and Humanities brings together two dynamic and diverse schools:
School of Health and Social Care
Preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals and social care leaders through hands-on learning, expert teaching, and strong industry partnerships. Our courses are designed to meet the demands of real-world practice and improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.
Through an integrated approach to learning and professional development, our students are equipped with the knowledge, values, and skills to thrive in their chosen fields and make a lasting impact.
School of Humanities, Law and Creative Arts
Celebrating creativity, critical thinking, and cultural exploration. This school nurtures writers, performers, thinkers and artists, offering opportunities to grow intellectually and creatively across subjects like English, History, Creative Writing, Fine Art, and Media.
The School brings together a wide range of subjects, including:
Humanities
Law
Journalism and Media
Policing, Criminology and Social Sciences
Creative Arts
Whether exploring the past, shaping future policy, telling powerful stories, or creating inspiring work, our students develop the skills and confidence to contribute meaningfully to society and the creative industries.
Together, the College of Health and Humanities delivers a rich, interdisciplinary environment where students gain the skills, experience, and inspiration to make a meaningful impact in society.
About the Discipline
The discipline of Policing, Criminology and Social Sciences at the University of Derby explores the complexities of crime, justice, society, and human behaviour. Grounded in applied knowledge and social impact, our programmes are designed to equip students with both theoretical insight and practical skills to make a difference in diverse communities and justice settings.
We offer pathways that reflect real-world challenges—from contemporary policing and investigative techniques to criminological theory, psychology, sociology, and the broader social sciences. Our strong links with police forces, criminal justice agencies, charities, and policy organisations help shape an applied learning experience underpinned by current practice and policy debates.
With a commitment to inclusivity, critical thinking, and societal change, we empower students to engage with issues such as inequality, public safety, mental health, and restorative justice.
Our academics are engaged in impactful research and community outreach, helping to influence local, national, and global agendas.
About the Role
This role will support the Public Services Research Theme, which aligns with the University’s strategic priorities for cross-disciplinary, high-impact research. The theme aims to lead transformative research in public services that drives societal change, informs policy, and enhances public well-being.
The role involves working across multiple exciting projects across the theme and assisting researchers with quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, supporting dissemination of findings, and contributing to wider research activity, including funding bids and research events.
About You
The ideal candidate will have experience of applied research, with a strong working knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. You will be confident in supporting data collection and analysis across a range of study designs and be able to work rigorously with sensitive information. Experience of working with vulnerable populations and/or handling sensitive data ethically and professionally is essential. Experience of conducting research or working in applied settings such as prisons, schools or mental health environments, demonstrating the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders in complex, real-world contexts, would be beneficial.
Key Contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Professor Nicholas Blagden, Professor in Criminological Psychology via n.blagden@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
About the College/Department
At the heart of shaping future professionals and creative thinkers, the College of Health and Humanities brings together two dynamic and diverse schools:
School of Health and Social Care
Preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals and social care leaders through hands-on learning, expert teaching, and strong industry partnerships. Our courses are designed to meet the demands of real-world practice and improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.
Through an integrated approach to learning and professional development, our students are equipped with the knowledge, values, and skills to thrive in their chosen fields and make a lasting impact.
School of Humanities, Law and Creative Arts
Celebrating creativity, critical thinking, and cultural exploration. This school nurtures writers, performers, thinkers and artists, offering opportunities to grow intellectually and creatively across subjects like English, History, Creative Writing, Fine Art, and Media.
The School brings together a wide range of subjects, including:
Humanities
Law
Journalism and Media
Policing, Criminology and Social Sciences
Creative Arts
Whether exploring the past, shaping future policy, telling powerful stories, or creating inspiring work, our students develop the skills and confidence to contribute meaningfully to society and the creative industries.
Together, the College of Health and Humanities delivers a rich, interdisciplinary environment where students gain the skills, experience, and inspiration to make a meaningful impact in society.
About the Discipline
The discipline of Policing, Criminology and Social Sciences at the University of Derby explores the complexities of crime, justice, society, and human behaviour. Grounded in applied knowledge and social impact, our programmes are designed to equip students with both theoretical insight and practical skills to make a difference in diverse communities and justice settings.
We offer pathways that reflect real-world challenges—from contemporary policing and investigative techniques to criminological theory, psychology, sociology, and the broader social sciences. Our strong links with police forces, criminal justice agencies, charities, and policy organisations help shape an applied learning experience underpinned by current practice and policy debates.
With a commitment to inclusivity, critical thinking, and societal change, we empower students to engage with issues such as inequality, public safety, mental health, and restorative justice.
Our academics are engaged in impactful research and community outreach, helping to influence local, national, and global agendas.
About the Role
This role will support the Public Services Research Theme, which aligns with the University’s strategic priorities for cross-disciplinary, high-impact research. The theme aims to lead transformative research in public services that drives societal change, informs policy, and enhances public well-being.
The role involves working across multiple exciting projects across the theme and assisting researchers with quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, supporting dissemination of findings, and contributing to wider research activity, including funding bids and research events.
About You
The ideal candidate will have experience of applied research, with a strong working knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. You will be confident in supporting data collection and analysis across a range of study designs and be able to work rigorously with sensitive information. Experience of working with vulnerable populations and/or handling sensitive data ethically and professionally is essential. Experience of conducting research or working in applied settings such as prisons, schools or mental health environments, demonstrating the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders in complex, real-world contexts, would be beneficial.
Key Contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Professor Nicholas Blagden, Professor in Criminological Psychology via n.blagden@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk