The University of Lincoln supports hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis). This is not a remote role and so regular attendance on the University campus will be required. The post requires travel for in-person ethnographic work (expenses provided) with community-based organisations supporting those experiencing suicidality in England (the exact locations will be discussed with the successful applicant when they start in post).

We particularly encourage candidates from racialised and minoritised backgrounds to apply to this role, in line with our project goal to contribute to diversifying suicide research whilst working with diverse and marginalised communities. In addition, we welcome applications from candidates who have lived/living experiences with suicide/suicidality. 

The salary for this post is Grade 7, Spinal Point 30 on The University of Lincoln Single Pay Spine. 

 Experience/Skills You Will Need to Succeed in this Role 

• A PhD in a relevant Social Science discipline
• Experience of ethnographic (or related qualitative) research
• Experience of networking and/or working with Third Sector and/or community-based organisations or working and/or researching in community settings
• Experience of working with critical social science theories/approaches (for example, critical suicide studies, Mad studies, critical race theory, gender theory, critical disability/crip studies, etc)
• Skills to engage and build rapport with individuals of diverse backgrounds and the ability to apply these skills in inter-personal work
• Skills to work both independently and as a member of a collaborative team
• Skills to communicate with both academic and non-academic audiences in a range of formats

Benefits of the Post 

• Competitive salary; 
• Access to a personal well-being fund throughout your time on the Discovering Liveability project  
• Access to training and career development opportunities and mentoring support
• Join a diverse and supportive team of suicide researchers
• Be part of an exciting, positive, creative and challenging project
• Be part of an innovative team whose work focuses on challenging current suicide knowledge, policies and practices
• Become part of a diverse and vibrant international community committed to furthering new suicide knowledge and research

 Please note that this post requires a Basic DBS check.

Closing Date: 27 Apr 2026

Department: Research

Salary: £38,784 per annum
Please note, this post is fixed-term until 31st August 2029 and full-time at 1 FTE.

The research assistant will conduct their own qualitative research project supported by the DL team. The post also comes with dedicated funding for the postholder to undertake an MPhil/PhD in Social Sciences in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lincoln. The project will fund (home) tuition fees during employment on the project. More information on the MPhil/PhD Programme can be found here:  https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/socscirp/.

This role specifically focuses on developing research that is led by and co-produced with people who have lived and/or living experience of suicide and/or suicidality. We also encourage people from under-represented groups to apply.

Skills/Experience You Will Need to Succeed

• Ability to engage your lived/living experience of suicide or suicidality (defined as personal experience of suicidal thoughts or attempts, suicide bereavement, or caring for someone experiencing suicidality) to lead your own research project.
• An undergraduate degree and/or a Master’s degree in a relevant social science subject. You do not need to have a postgraduate degree to apply for this position.
• An idea for a suicide research project you would like to conduct led by your lived/living experience of suicide.
• An ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, and English-language proficiency as required for admission to the MPhil/PhD.
• Experience engaging and building rapport with individuals of diverse backgrounds.
• An awareness of the sensitivities and ethical considerations of working with suicide.

Please note that this post requires a basic DBS check. The University of Lincoln supports hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis), but this is not a remote role and regular attendance on University of Lincoln Campuses to attend meetings and relevant events will be required.

A recording will be available with some additional information regarding the post from (https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/discovering-liveability/get-involved/). Please contact discoveringliveability@ed.ac.uk with queries about the role. 

This is one of two posts being offered for RA/PhD roles for WP1, with the other role based at the University of Edinburgh. If you wish to apply for both roles, you will need to submit two separate applications – one for each post. 

Benefits of the Post

• Competitive salary;
• Dedicated part-time PhD tuition fees;
• Access to a personal well-being fund throughout the project; 
• To join a diverse and supportive team of suicide researchers;
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work;
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community

Closing Date: 27 Apr 2026

Department: Research

Salary: £33,002 per annum
Please note, this post is fixed-term until 31st August 2031 and full-time at 1 FTE.