Research Assistant - N8 Policing Research Project

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Overview

The School of Law is seeking to appoint a Research Assistant to join an N8 Policing Research Project-funded project: ‘Preventing suicides on release from police custody: risk factors, contextual characteristics, policy, practice and future research’. This project focuses on an urgent issue: suicides on release from police custody, which have remained at 55-65 per year for the last decade. The aim is to systematically the pathways associated with post-custody suicides. This is through an analysis of an existing set of NPCC-held data on post-custody suicides in 2019-2024, which combines data collected by the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) with data from all 43 police forces in England and Wales. This will be supplemented by publicly available Coroner’s Inquest information for all 426 individuals who are named in it.

The academic lead is Prof. Layla Skinns (University of Sheffield) and the wider team includes: Professor Catherine Robinson (University of Manchester) and Dr Iain McKinnon (Newcastle University). The appointed research assistant will also be part of the wider research community at the University of Sheffield (see “What we offer” below).

The research assistant will collect and analyse information about all the cases in the NPCC-held data, using Coroner’s Inquests and related public records e.g., verdicts, Prevention of Future Death (PFD) reports and media coverage. This analysis will include information, such as on whether an inquest took place, its outcome, and other key categorical details. For a purposively selected subset of cases, they will also gather more in-depth data. They will also attend meetings with the research team and police stakeholders, present at and attend relevant events and co-author outputs. Throughout the post, they will be supported in the development of their research skills and independence for the success of their future career.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Collect qualitative and quantitative data for all 426 cases in the NPCC-held data, using publicly available information;

• Collect in-depth qualitative data for a subset of 20 cases, using publicly available information;

• Liaise with the research team and external stakeholders on the Research Advisory Group – including staff at various levels of the organisations –about all aspects of the project;

• Undertake any necessary administrative aspects of the project, such as arranging meetings, communicating with relevant parties about the research;

• Appropriately analyse the qualitative and quantitative data, using software such as NVivo or SPSS;

• If appropriate, contribute to research outputs as a co-author, including a report for the N8 Policing Research Partnership;

• Undertake any necessary training;

• Attend meetings with the research team and/or key stakeholders;

• Support the dissemination of the research, such as at webinars, external stakeholder events or academic conferences;

• With support from the academic lead, utilise career and professional development opportunities;

• Carry out any other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes;

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • access to menopause support in the workplace

  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment

  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Closing Date : 04/11/2026

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.