Research Associate (CREATE)

at  Lancaster University

CREATE: Co-creating spaces of belonging and safety with marginalised communities in contact with support services using an intersectional lens

PART TIME (0.25 FTE – 9 HOURS)

The Division of Health Research (DHR) within Lancaster University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine is seeking to fill a Research Associate position to work on an innovative NIHR School for Public Health Research (SPHR) funded research project; Co-creating spaces of belonging and safety with marginalised communities in contact with support services using an intersectional lens. The postholder will be based at Lancaster University and through the Liverpool and Lancaster universities collaboration for public health research (LiLaC), they will have access to a wide range of opportunities for career development within SPHR including networking, training and funding opportunities through membership of the researcher led ResNet (https://sphr.nihr.ac.uk/training/our-research-network-resnet/).
This is a collaborative research project between four universities. The project is co-led by Dr Rebecca Mead at Lancaster University and Dr Steph Scott at Newcastle University, alongside co-investigators from Northumbria and Durham Universities. The project, which was designed through a co-creation process, aims to increase access to services associated with wider social determinants of health through co-creation research with marginalised communities. We will use creative, qualitative and accessible methods that support storytelling to work with our community partners and peer researchers who experience marginalisation and vulnerabilisation as a result of multiple axes of oppression.
You will play a key role in collaborating with peer researchers, liaising with practice partners, conducting the research and disseminating findings. You will work closely with the academic researchers and the community partners involved in this research to recruit participants and collect data. The project will involve different methods, including face to face focus groups and creative methods such as photovoice. You will be required to work as part of a team and be able to work independently and flexibly.
You will have an MSc or PhD or equivalent practical research experience in an area of relevance to public health with experience of qualitative research methods and qualitative data analysis. Knowledge and experience of collecting, managing and analysing qualitative data is essential. Knowledge and experience of doing research with marginalised communities and groups is essential. It would also be advantageous to have knowledge and/or experience within the project’s relevant topic areas such as, intersectional experiences of belonging, social determinants of health. Experience and knowledge of participatory research methods and a strong commitment to socially just research practice are also highly desirable.
The post will be based within the Division of Health Research at Lancaster University and will require travel primarily in the North West to conduct research activities, though some travel in the UK may be required to attend meetings and/or conferences. Some elements of the work could be conducted remotely so hybrid working can be considered but the postholder would need to be based in the North West to undertake fieldwork activities (e.g. workshops, face to face qualitative interviews).
The Faculty provides an environment that strongly supports the individual needs of each employee, promoting a healthy work-life balance. We are committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies on an individual basis, as well as the Athena SWAN Charter, which recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education. We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including working week and days/hours worked, flexible start and finish times or condensed hours. The post will be based in the Division of Health Research at Lancaster University (Health Innovation One) with option of hybrid and remote working possible.
You will join us on an indefinite contract, however, the role is contingent on external funding, which currently is due to end on 30th September 2026.
Applicants wishing to consider the Skilled Worker Route should ensure they meet the points requirement before applying. Further information can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact the project lead Dr Rebecca Mead (r.mead2@lancaster.ac.uk) for further information about the position.

Please refer the Job description for details