Research Assistant

JOB DESCRIPTION

Employment status and working hours

Worker agreement for 15 days of work across 12 months. Dates will be confirmed to you.

The daily rate for this work would be £130 per day, subject to tax and National Insurance.

Education and Students, School of the Built Environment.

Place of work flexibility

You will normally spend your total working time at home*, which must be within the UK. You may, on occasions, be expected to attend the Horizons, Reading office to attend meetings or training events, as well as focus groups in London, Bristol, Birmingham, and Newcastle. *Working from home is only possible if your environment is suitable.

High level summary of job role

We are seeking a research assistant to provide support to research projects within the School of the Built Environment at the University. You will have the opportunity to be involved a range of research work, but you will be particularly involved in the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Early Careers Grant research project, assisting the Research team with various aspects of the project, including organising meetings and supporting data collection and analysis.

This appointment would be a worker-style agreement and you would be paid a daily rate of £130, for a total of 15 days across 12 months.

Specific job role accountabilities and responsibilities

• Support the development, promotion, and delivery of research projects.

• Assist in the refinement of the methods and techniques being developed for research projects.

• Undertake literature searches and/or reviews and assist in the preparation of ethics applications for research projects.

• Conduct primary research (archival/online) and/or fieldwork and surveys for research projects.

• Assist in setting up focus groups and transcribe individual participant and focus group interviews.

• Assist in the recruitment of study participants and conduct quantitative and/or qualitative data collection in line with methodologies set out within research projects.

• Perform appropriate data analysis and draft research reports, presenting data in a clear and logical manner.

• Ensure all research project data is stored safely and ethically in line with University guidelines on data protection, and that all equipment and materials are used appropriately in line with the University’s health and safety requirements.

• Undertake associated administrative duties in the coordination and delivery of research project meetings, events, and promotional activity.

• Liaise with the broader research/project team, including members who are external to the University, to ensure effective delivery of the research project outcomes.

• Provide feedback to the Project Lead regarding delivery progress.

• Carry out other duties as may be designated by the Project Lead, in line with the role requirements.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

E = Essential person requirement; D = Desirable person requirement

How the person requirement will be assessed:

A = Application; I = Interview; T = Test or other assessment

Please be aware that as part of onboarding processes, we will seek original documentary evidence of the relevant academic and/or professional qualifications which you include within your job application. This is all part of our comprehensive pre-employment screening which also includes checking your identity, right to work, criminal record history (basic disclosure), and three years employment history.

Qualifications and training

Appropriate undergraduate degree (2:2 or above) in an area related to urban planning or equivalent experience within this field (E, A, I).

Previous experience

Experience in a similar role (E, A, I).

Experience within the education sector / built environment / higher education (E, A).

Skills, knowledge, and aptitudes

Ability to write in an academic style, prepare research reports, and analyse and present research data in a clear and logical manner within agreed timescales (E, I).

An understanding of research design and methodological issues, and an ability to undertake research in general with a particular aptitude in one or more areas. These include literature searches and reviews, surveys and focus groups, data collection, and analysis and transcription (E, I).

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, with a range of audiences (E, I).

Organisational skills; can complete tasks in a logical manner within agreed timescales (E, I).

Ability to assist with the development of research questions, methods, tools, or funding proposals (E, I).

Adaptability; able to work both independently and collaboratively, demonstrating professionalism at all times (E, I).

Other requirements or special requirements

Alignment to the University’s core values of Passion, Integrity, Excellence and Support; all employees are expected to demonstrate our values at work (E, I).

You must be prepared to undertake the necessary mandatory training assigned to you (E, I).

APPLICATIONS

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Charlotte Morphet on 0118 467 2385 or email [email protected]. For any other enquiries please contact HR on 0118 467 2454 / 2433 or email [email protected]

We will receive applications until the advert closes on Wednesday 04 March 2026 at 17:00. We will not consider late applications. Our ATS does not screen applications, we humans do. Applications may be reviewed prior to the closing date and occasionally, you may be invited to interview ahead of the closing date.

Interview details

Dates for interview will be advised to you later in the process. We'll ask you to tell us about any dates you cannot make, up to 4 weeks from the closing date; this helps us to plan interviews should you be shortlisted, prior to contacting you.