Research Assistant for the Network for Ethnicity, Migration and Ageing (NEMA)

We are seeking a Research Assistant to support the early development of the Network for Ethnicity, Migration and Ageing (NEMA), a new initiative that aims to connect research, policy, and practice on ethnicity, migration and ageing in the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about this field and would like to contribute to building a new network from the ground up. The role would suit a candidate with experience of qualitative research, community engagement, and working with ethnic minority communities.

About NEMA

NEMA is being developed as a platform to bring together researchers, practitioners, community organisations, and others with an interest in ethnicity, migration and ageing. The network aims to support connection, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and greater visibility for work in this important area.

Key information

  • Role: Casual Research Assistant
  • Hourly rate: £17.02 per hour
  • Contract period: May to June 2026
  • Total hours: 60 hours in total, averaging around 7 hours per week (approximately 0.2 FTE)
  • Location: Mostly remote, with in-person attendance required for the NEMA launch event at the British Society of Gerontology Conference in Oxford

Main duties

The Research Assistant will support the PI across four main areas of work:

1. Stakeholder mapping

  • Conduct targeted searches to identify individuals, organisations, and groups relevant to ethnicity, migration and ageing
  • Support outreach and invitations to join NEMA
  • Collate, organise, and analyse information received through the expression of interest form

2. Focus groups

  • Assist with the preparation and delivery of two online focus group discussions
  • Support the PI during the focus groups
  • Assist with transcription and analysis
  • Contribute to a brief summary report of key findings and recommendations

3. Establishing the NEMA literature bank

  • Develop a systematic search strategy on ethnicity, migration and ageing literature
  • Adapt the search strategy for use across different academic databases
  • Help establish and maintain a literature database
  • Support the identification of recent publications to be shared through the NEMA monthly newsletter

4. NEMA launch event at the British Society of Gerontology Conference

  • Support facilitation of the NEMA launch event at the British Society of Gerontology Conference in Oxford
  • Assist with event preparation and delivery

Person specification

We are looking for someone who:

  • Has a strong interest in ethnicity, migration and ageing
  • Is passionate about supporting research and community engagement in this area
  • Has experience of community engagement
  • Has experience of qualitative research with ethnic minority communities
  • Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, especially in working with community partners
  • Is well organised and able to manage information carefully and systematically
  • Is based in the UK and has the right to work in the UK
  • Is available to attend the British Society of Gerontology Conference in Oxford between 24–26 June, with attendance required on the day of the NEMA launch event (exact date to be confirmed)

What we offer

  • Casual Research Assistant role with hourly rate: £17.02 per hour
  • Costs for attending the British Society of Gerontology Conference (subject to approval by the funder)
  • An opportunity to contribute to the co-development of NEMA
  • Potential opportunities for further involvement in NEMA beyond this employment period

How to apply

·         Please send your full CV and a completed application form to Dr Mengxing Joshi at mm525@st-andrews.ac.uk , using the subject line “NEMA Research Assistant Application”.

·         Application deadline: 22 April 2026, 11:59 pm (UK time)

·         We would like to make the application process as simple as possible, so please feel free to use bullet points in your application form responses.

·         Depending on the number of applications received, shortlisted applicants may be invited to an informal online interview on 27 April 2026.

NEMA Research Assistant Application Form
NEMA Research Assistant Job Description