Post-Doctoral Research Assistant

The Role

We are seeking to appoint a post-doctoral research assistant to work within the School of the Arts. The RA will contribute to research activity within the School by actively engaging in research and contributing to the production of research reports and publications, reporting to the School Research and Knowledge Transfer Lead. They will provide high quality research support and assistance to academics in the School of the Arts.

Working across different projects, the research assistant will provide a range of support to projects lead by research staff in the School to enable the development of high-quality research projects, external funding bids and outputs. They will enable high-excellent research and support staff productivity to assist nascent research projects to become outputs, impact and quality grant applications. The research assistant will help to support and contribute to the School’s REF submission.

The role will provide a maximum of 300 hours support to research projects in the School of the Arts, enabling academics to develop high-quality research outputs, impact and grant application. The role will have a flexible work pattern, with a notional 7.4 hour working week.

Required Skills and Experience

• A PhD in a subject related to arts (cognate with those of the school) and experience with practice-based/artistic research methodologies
• Knowledge and experience of using a variety of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods of relevance to research projects, and the ability to interpret and analyse results
• The ability to contribute to collaborative research projects, working both independently and under the direction of a project leader
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• High level of proficiency in English

Additional information

Main contact for further role details: Professor Helen Julia Minors Head of the School of the Arts

Unfortunately this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship however we welcome your application if you are able to evidence right to work in the UK via an alternative route.

It is anticipated that the selection process will include an interview. Further details will be provided if you are shortlisted for interview.

We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive policies and facilities and welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive working environment, consideration is given to all requests for job share or flexible working arrangements.

This vacancy is scheduled to close on the date indicated at the bottom of this advert, but we encourage you to please apply as early as possible as we may consider closing earlier if we receive a high level of applications. If the vacancy is closed earlier, all pending applicants will be notified and provided with 24 hours' notice to submit an application.

Application process support

We are keen to support you throughout the recruitment process. Before starting your application please refer to the attached candidate application form guidance below which provides advice about completing the application process.

Please note that CVs are not accepted in place of the application form. Within the application process you will be asked to answer a selection of work-related questions. Our aim is to get to know you, and understand your individual skills and experience, and how you would apply these within the role. We are aware that AI can be helpful in shaping your responses, but we encourage you to share your answers in your own words.

Our benefits package

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including -

- Excellent annual leave entitlement, including five discretionary university closure days over the Christmas period

- Disability leave (applies to staff who have disclosed a disability and is also available to staff with disabled dependants)

- Pension scheme

- Health Cash Plan after six months service

- Employee Assistance Programme

- Paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists

- On-campus courses, one-to-one tutorials, and online resources to help you develop your digital skills and work with new software

- Relocation expenses package for certain roles

- Reimbursement of Skilled Worker Visa application fees and for additional costs (if applicable to the role)

Further information about life at YSJ

Our attached 'further information' document below provides further information about our culture, achievements and testimonials from our employees.

Closing Date - Friday 13 November 2026 at midnight Provisional Interview Date - Friday 27 November 2026