GCCS Research Assistant 2026

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.

The Department

The Global Centre for Contextual Safeguarding (GCCS) launched in September 2025, building on the work of a decade-plus, world-leading, Contextual Safeguarding Programme. It is now part of Durham’s Sociology Department, whose members, postgraduate researchers, and students collectively develop ‘sociological imagination’ and apply it to contemporary processes and issues. The Department was ranked 1st for Criminology in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024, and ranked 4th for impact in REF 2021.

The GCCS builds on this history- an interdisciplinary Centre based in Durham’s Sociology Department with direct integration with Law, Business, Education and Psychology, it brings together departments across the four faculties of the University to: transform how societies understand and deliver services that safeguard young people beyond their homes; create systems that look beyond the capacity of parents to protect children; and build sustainable partnerships in which safeguarding is truly everybody’s business. This is a Centre committed to a radical transformation in how safeguarding is conceptualised, studied, and practiced, and by whom.

The Centre will achieve this by building a critical interdisciplinary effort to cement an emergent field of research, implementing that research in collaboration with others to reform the organisational practices, policy and legal frameworks that govern the provision and evaluation of services around the world. It will scale that implementation through commercial partnerships with industries beyond traditional safeguarding partnerships; providing various routes to learn about Contextual Safeguarding that transcends sector boundaries.

The Role

To continue developing the Centre’s capacity to enact this change, we are recruiting a number of roles this year -one of these is a part-time GCCS Research Assistant who will work in the GCCS under the direction of the Senior Leadership Team. The role will sit across multiple workstreams to provide support to centre operations and research projects, with particular attention to integrating and reflecting the voices of children and young people into our developing work programme.

We are welcoming applicants with an in interest in social justice; we anticipate such applicants having varied academic and professional journeys, potentially holding, or be working towards, a Masters Degree s in Sociology or Social Research Methods.

The postholder will be required to undertake support tasks including working with other RAs in scoping existing research, converting knowledge generated by staff across the GCCS into accessible and practical resources, supporting the team with a range of research and operational activities across multiple ongoing projects, and supporting bid development activities across the Centre.

GCCS activities take place in multiple locations across the UK and beyond, so most team members work to a hybrid model, with research underway in various parts of the UK as well as via online data collection methods, and wider Centre activity taking place mostly online with occasional in-person meetings and working days. Travel to research sites and for impact and dissemination activities may be required, and travel for these activities is paid for by the Centre. The normal place of work is Durham, and you will be expected to be present in Durham for essential GCCS business as required (to be discussed with your line manager).

Responsibilities

• To understand and convey information which needs careful explanation to the team or group of people through presentations, discussions and meetings which contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• To write up results of research work, present information on research progress and outcomes to bodies supervising research in a clear and accurate manner.
• To analyse or undertake basic research by deciding how best to apply existing methodology according to overall context and objectives.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To assist in contributing to support student projects on the use of research methods and equipment.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses.

The post-holder is employed to work on research which will be led by other colleagues. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the centre through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

This post is fixed term for 12 months; the position is to provide general support within the team during a period of core staff absence, and funding is limited to the 12 months only.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by October 2026.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days (pro rata).
• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Essential criteria

1. A good first degree in Sociology, Criminology or a related field
2. A Masters in Sociology, Social Research Methods, or a related field (or to be studying towards this).
3. Experience in conducting basic academic research or providing research assistance, including the use of standard research methods.
4. Experience of working with or generating evidence on children and young people’s voice
5. Demonstrable ability to produce concise and well-written reports for a range of stakeholders.
6. Experience or proven interest in Contextual Safeguarding
7. Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
8. Ability to manage time effectively and work to strict deadlines.
9. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
10. Ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders.

Desirable criteria

11. Experience of conducting high quality academic research.
12. Experience of preparing academic papers.
13. Knowledge of how research is used in policy or practice organisations
14. Experience of working with young people, either through research methods or in practitioner roles.
15. Experience in qualitative research methods including ethnographic or participatory research methods
16. Ability to contribute to the planning and management of independent research.