Details
1109877
University of Staffordshire
01/04/2026
12 Months
40 full days (at 7.5 hours a day or on an hourly basis on availability)
Not Applicable
Pay
£14.71
£1.78
Description
Role
Research Assistant - Scoping Review: supporting a structured literature synthesis on patient safety disparities affecting women by ethnicity.
Patient safety is a priority across healthcare, yet not everyone experiences the same level of safety when receiving care. Research shows that some groups, especially women from racially minoritised backgrounds, can face higher risks of preventable harm and may encounter challenges when trying to speak up about their concerns. In the UK, Black women often report safety-related issues and delays in receiving support, but these inequalities are still not fully understood because the data around ethnicity and patient safety is often incomplete.
As a research intern, you will play an active role in helping to address these gaps. This internship offers three 2nd year nursing students the chance to contribute to an expanding programme focused on improving patient safety outcomes for Black women in the UK. It’s an opportunity to see how nursing, research, and equity come together to drive meaningful change.
Hosted by the University of Staffordshire, the placement gives you hands-on experience working with NHS clinical teams and community organisations through the University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) and Birmingham Community Healthcare’s Community Connexions. You will join the NIHR Undergraduate Internship Programme led by Dr Alisen Dube, collaborating with an experienced academic research team (Dr Love Onuorah, Dr Odunayo Omolade and Dr Yetunde Ataiyero) and NHS partners who will support your development every step of the way.
Alongside gaining new research skills, you’ll explore real-world issues affecting patient safety, learn how evidence influences practice, and build confidence in contributing to equity-focused healthcare improvements.
Students completing placements between June and July 2026 will also work alongside 3rd-year nursing students undertaking research placements, creating a supportive and enriching learning environment.
This role is ideal if you’re curious about research, passionate about patient safety, or simply keen to explore the broader impact nurses can have beyond the bedside.
Interns will be assigned a primary role based on their interests and learning goals, with opportunities to contribute across other project areas depending on preference, capacity, and developmental needs. Each intern will benefit from tailored supervision, structured development activities, and practical exposure to NHS research environments, including working with communities in and around Birmingham City.
Duties and responsibilities
Depending on the role, and with flexibility across projects, interns may:
- Conduct structured literature searches and summarise findings
- Assist with developing scoping review matrices and drafting manuscripts
- Support community mapping, listening sessions, and development of engagement materials
- Participate in workshops and engagement activities with BCHC and Community Connexions
- Assist with planning community engagement events and developing funding applications
- Support protocol development and ethics documentation
- Draft Freedom of information (FOI) request templates and maintain tracking matrices
- Contribute to dissemination activities, including presentations, blogs, or summaries
- Take part in weekly check-ins and scheduled development sessions.
Skills and experience
- Current 2nd year undergraduate nursing student (all nursing disciplines)
- Strong interest in applied health research, patient safety, inequalities, or community engagement
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Organisational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Curiosity, willingness to learn, and openness to feedback
- No prior research experience required.
Location
Staffordshire
Additional information
Our Commitment to Inclusion
- While this internship supports a programme focused on improving patient safety for Black women, all 2nd year nursing students from any nursing discipline are encouraged to apply.
- We welcome applicants from every ethnic background who are interested in research and motivated to contribute to the project’s aims.
- We are committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive research environment and particularly encourage applications from students underrepresented in health research, including those from racially minoritised groups.
- All interns will receive Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion training to ensure a respectful, culturally informed learning experience.
- This is a paid internship, which also includes up to £200 for training and development and up to £1,000 for travel and accommodation.
- Start and end dates are flexible to fit your course structure and availability. Internships typically last up to 8 weeks and can be undertaken at any time between 01/04/2026 and 31/03/2027.