Research Assistant /Research Associate

Salary:

Research Assistant: £34,630 to £36,320 per annum, pro rata 

Research Associate: £37,369 to £46,970 per annum, pro rata

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 26 November 2026

The Role

We are delighted to launch an exciting new opportunity for a Research Assistant /Research Associate in Novel Proteins for Animal Feeds and Nutrition to join us in the School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, United Kingdom as detailed below:

Most chicken feed in the UK currently relies on imported soya as a source of protein, which is expensive, vulnerable to global disruptions and linked to deforestation and high carbon emissions. Newcastle University is a lead partner of an InnovateUK-DEFRA funded, multi-partner project exploring how UK-grown blue lupins can replace part of the soya used in broiler chicken diets.

We are seeking a driven and enthusiastic individual to join our team and contribute to this research, leading on the delivery, analysis and reporting of feed trials with broliers to ensure that blue lupin inclusion in diets maintains bird health, productivity and welfare.

 Feed trials will be run within Newcastle University’s state of the art Animal Science Facilities with the support of dedicated academic and technical staff involved in the project. The successful candidate will input into trial planning/preparation and subsequent daily maintainance activities and weekly assessments of ethically approved number of birds over pre-determined starter-grower-finisher cycles. Video recordings taken over the trial durations will be processed by the project RA to provide data on bird welfare/health/behaviour. The successful candidate will lead on assessments and data analysis/reporting, as well as the publication of trial outputs and the dissemination of results at project meetings, and more widely at conferences/events. 

You will join an experienced team at Newcastle University, led by Dr Abdul Chaudhry ([email removed]) as the Principal Investigator. They will join the Agriculture and Food Systems Group within the School of Natural & Environmental Sciences, also linking to the wider project consortium which includes key industry growers, suppliers and processors.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role Profiles.pdf.  These profiles set out firstly the generic competencies and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and, secondly, the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Find out more about the Faculty (Science, Agriculture and Engineering) here: ( Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering | Newcastle University)

We want you to feel confident when applying for a position with Newcastle University. If you’d like an informal discussion to clarify any points, please contact the Principal Investigator via [email removed].

We are committed to making the process accessible to everyone and can provide additional support to adjustments to meet your needs’

This post is 0.5FTE fixed term until 30th September 2028 

To apply please upload your CV and cover letter evidencing how your skills and experiences align to the person specification as outlined within the job description.

Key Accountabilities

Research Assistant

• Work as part of a research team to ensure robust data collection and data management, contributing to funded research on novel proteins for animal feed
• Contribute to an internationally visible research profile in applied animal science and nutrition, both independently and as a member of the Agriculture and Food Systems Group, under the clear guidance of academic and technical staff
• Develop and update standard operating procedures and protocols for data collection, processing and analysis from a range of data streams (e.g. direct measurements/observations, camera footage)

• Ensure that personal knowledge in relevant fields of study is kept up to date and work to deadlines and manage, with support, competing priorities
• Maintain academic standards and freedom and work in accordance with university policies (e.g. equal opportunities, health and safety policies)
• Undertake relevant training and development activities to develop capacity for taking on wider responsibilities where appropriate
• Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
• Co-ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s)
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project
• Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books)
• Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate

In addition, for Research Associate

• Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
• Contribute to the writing up of the research and its 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
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

Research Assistant

• Strong knowledge and experience in the design and delivery of scientific trials
• An understanding of animal behaviour, nutrition, health, welfare or livestock production systems
• Experience of working effectively to deadlines
• Delivery of presentations at conferences and experience writing academic publications independently and/or collaboratively
• Awareness of the ethical and health and safety requirements involved in research work
• Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
• Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
• Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
• The ability to use pe