Research Assistant - Drug Policy Project

Overview

The current opportunity is available for current Manchester Met students. To apply you must be based in the UK for the duration of the role. The main purpose of this role is to provide research support to colleagues and support staff for the British Academy / Leverhulme-funded project "Intoxicating News:
The Newsworthiness of Drugs and Addiction", assisting with research data collection and analysis, and the dissemination of findings to appropriate research groups and contacts related to the project. The project seeks to explore how news journalists working for national and regional daily newspaper outlets navigate obstacles, stigma, stereotypes, and institutional practices in researching and conveying stories about people who use and sell drugs, as well as drug policy more generally.

This has the potential to inform ethical guidelines, strategies, and positive practices of news reporting, as well as other forms of content‑making depicting drug‑related problems and social issues. Dates: w/c 16 March – w/c 25 May.

• Undertake qualitative research using semi‑structured, in‑depth interviews and thematic analysis.
• Identify, contact and recruit relevant study participants who satisfy the inclusion criteria.
• Liaise with participants and explain the ethical aspects of the project, as well as collect informed consent.
• Plan and prioritise own work and resources, within the research project framework, to determine the most effective way to achieve agreed research objectives.
• Conduct literature and database searches using standard techniques and methods.
• Write up results of own research and prepare for presentation to the research team and relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• Use initiative and judgement to develop appropriate techniques in order to facilitate research work and resolve problems affecting the achievement of objectives and deadlines.
• Present research to the team and in appropriate articles for publication, such as academic/professional journals or conferences.
• Participate in internal and external partnerships and networks in order to aid the dissemination of research findings, to share best practice, and to enhance the reputation of the University.
• Proactively and effectively engage with quality assurance procedures to ensure that University standards are upheld.
• Collaborate with academic colleagues on research development and future direction.
• Actively participate as a member of the research team, offering general help and guidance to others and PhD students who may be assisting with the research project.
• Attend Faculty, Department and Programme meetings/boards as appropriate to proactively contribute to decision making.
• Introduce new starters to the area, giving training on basic skills and activities to assist their induction to the team.
• Assist in the supervision of taught postgraduate and/or research students, as required, to support the development research skills.
• Engage with the University's commitment to Environmental Sustainability to reduce waste, energy consumption and carbon footprint.
• Engage with the University's commitment to delivering value for money services that optimise the use of resources and therefore consider this when undertaking all duties and aspects of your role.

Actively participate as a member of the research team, offering general help and guidance to others and PhD students who may be assisting with the research project. Attend Faculty, Department and Programme meetings/boards as appropriate to proactively contribute to decision making. Introduce new starters to the area, giving training on basic skills and activities to assist their induction to the team.

Assist in the supervision of taught postgraduate and/or research students, as required, to support the development research skills.

You have a legal duty, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that you do not endanger yourself or anyone else by your acts or omissions. In addition, you must cooperate with the University on health and safety matters and must not interfere or misuse…