Research Assistant - Discovering Liveability Project

Please note, this post is fixed-term until 31st August 2031 and full-time at 1 FTE.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant to join the Discovering Liveability: Co-producing alternatives to suicide prevention project. The successful candidate will be joining an ambitious interdisciplinary cross-institutional team and will be actively contributing to innovative suicide research that centres liveability and lived/living experience. More information about our project can be found here: https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/discovering-liveability/.

The research assistant will conduct their own qualitative research project supported by the DL team. The post also comes with dedicated funding for the postholder to undertake an MPhil/PhD in Social Sciences in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lincoln. The project will fund (home) tuition fees during employment on the project. More information on the MPhil/PhD Programme can be found here: https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/socscirp/.

This role specifically focuses on developing research that is led by and co-produced with people who have lived and/or living experience of suicide and/or suicidality. We also encourage people from under-represented groups to apply.

Skills/Experience You Will Need to Succeed

• Ability to engage your lived/living experience of suicide or suicidality (defined as personal experience of suicidal thoughts or attempts, suicide bereavement, or caring for someone experiencing suicidality) to lead your own research project.
• An undergraduate degree and/or a Master’s degree in a relevant social science subject. You do not need to have a postgraduate degree to apply for this position.
• An idea for a suicide research project you would like to conduct led by your lived/living experience of suicide.
• An ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, and English-language proficiency as required for admission to the MPhil/PhD.
• Experience engaging and building rapport with individuals of diverse backgrounds.
• An awareness of the sensitivities and ethical considerations of working with suicide.

Please note that this post requires a basic DBS check. The University of Lincoln supports hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis), but this is not a remote role and regular attendance on University of Lincoln Campuses to attend meetings and relevant events will be required.

A recording will be available with some additional information regarding the post from (https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/discovering-liveability/get-involved/). Please contact discoveringliveability@ed.ac.uk with queries about the role.

This is one of two posts being offered for RA/PhD roles for WP1, with the other role based at the University of Edinburgh. If you wish to apply for both roles, you will need to submit two separate applications – one for each post.

Benefits of the Post

• Competitive salary;
• Dedicated part-time PhD tuition fees;
• Access to a personal well-being fund throughout the project;
• 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

Further details:

• Job Description and Person Specification
• Additional Information - PhD

Closing Date: Monday 27 April 2026
Interview Date: Wednesday 20 May 2026