Research Assistant​/Associate

Salary:
Research Assistant: £33,002 to £34,610 per annum
Research Associate: £35,608 to £37,694 per annum

Closing Date: 11 February 2026

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant/Associate with a relevant background or interest in regulatory science and policy making relating to neurotechnologies to join the UK National Consortium for Neurotechnology Regulation project, in partnership with the MHRA and funded by ARIA.

The successful candidate will join the research group of Principal Investigator Dr. Luke Bashford at Newcastle University. In this project the successful candidate will work to enhance stakeholders understanding of existing UK neurotechnology regulation and inform on potential regulatory reform for emerging neurotechnologies.

The role will involve close collaboration with UK regulators, with secondment to the MHRA, and discussion with stakeholders throughout the UK neurotechnology ecosystem.

You will work to enhance stakeholders understanding of existing UK neurotechnology regulation and inform on potential regulatory reform for emerging neurotechnologies. You will review, report, and disseminate materials on existing regulation and guidance for the regulatory process enabling neurotechnology studies and draft new guidance in consultation with multi‑stakeholder groups to ensure an appropriate and comprehensive regulatory ecosystem in the future.

Further information around the role’s responsibilities within the secondment can be found here.

• Conduct and publish a comprehensive review with regulators of all existing regulations and guidance pertaining to neurotechnologies in the UK.
• Organise and maintain neurotechnology policy review meetings with representatives from industry, academia, clinical practice, and charities and people with lived experience.
• Develop and draft new guidance for emerging neurotechnologies, ensuring it is clear, concise, and accessible to a broad audience.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive dissemination strategy for all the project outputs.

Please focus your CV and cover letter on the essential criteria listed in this job description below. The information within the link above relating to the behaviours and strengths may be assessed at interview stage but not at application stage.

This post is fixed term for a period of 20 months.

• Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, the postholder will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial "added value".
• Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements.
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required.
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding.
• Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids.
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations.
• Contribute to the writing up of research for publication and dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications.
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline.
• May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or research assistants.
• Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute.
• May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities.
• Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment.

• Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills.
• Detailed subject knowledge (PI to…