<< Back to search results

Research Assistant

Details


1119712


De Montfort University (Leicester)


01/10/2026


Other - See Job


See advert


Not Applicable

Pay


£24.55


£3.95

Description

Role

Unitemps is a University-owned temporary staffing agency that operates in various universities, including De Montfort University (DMU). There are several benefits to working with Unitemps at DMU:

Networking Opportunities: Through Unitemps, you may have the chance to work with various departments and individuals at the university. This can help you expand your network and establish connections that may be valuable for your future career.

Professional Development: Many positions available through Unitemps may offer opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement. You can learn new skills and gain valuable knowledge while on the job.

Career Progression: Some temporary positions may lead to permanent employment within the university, giving you a potential pathway for long-term career advancement.

Contribution to the University Community: By working with Unitemps at DMU, you become a part of the university community and can contribute to its success and growth.

More information on the DMU Branch can be found HERE.

The Research Assistant will work closely with the Principal Investigator and support participant recruitment, research coordination, data collection, analysis and preparation of project outputs.

This role is for 200 hours over the course of the assignment starting 01/11/2026 to 31/05/2027.
This role can be worked remotely or Hybrid.

Interview Date is expected for 30/10/2026

Duties and responsibilities
We are seeking a Research Assistant to support a research and policy project exploring how national cyber security policy, guidance and frameworks are understood and implemented by UK SMEs.The project will examine the gap between cyber security policy and organisational practice, identifying the barriers and enabling factors that influence implementation. It will involve engagement with SMEs, qualitative data collection and analysis, and the development of evidence to inform policy recommendations and practical resources for businesses.

 
1. Support the recruitment and coordination of SMEs participating in the research.
2. Assist with arranging and administering interviews and stakeholder engagement activities. 
3. Support the collection of qualitative research data through interviews and engagement with participating organisations.
4. Organise, manage and maintain research data and project evidence in accordance with University research and data protection requirements.
5. Support the transcription, coding and analysis of qualitative research data.
6.  Assist in identifying key themes relating to cyber security policy implementation, including leadership, governance, workforce capability, organisational capacity, cost, procurement and access to trusted support.
7. Undertake relevant desk research relating to cyber security policy, organisational cyber resilience and SME implementation challenges.
8. Support the collation and synthesis of evidence across participating SMEs.
9. Assist with the preparation of research summaries, evidence tables and material for policy and stakeholder engagement activities.
10. Support the preparation and delivery of the policy co design roundtable and other project engagement activities.
11. Contribute to the development of project outputs, including the final evidence report, policy briefing and practical implementation resource for SMEs.
12. Provide general research support required for the successful delivery of the project.
 

Skills and experience
•Ideally a PhD candidate, postgraduate researcher or postgraduate student with research experience in cyber security, information systems, business, organisational resilience, policy or a related field.

•Experience in qualitative research methods, including interviews, coding or thematic analysis.
•Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to identify and interpret themes across qualitative evidence.
•Experience in research data collection, organisation and management.
•Strong report writing and research communication skills.
•Ability to undertake desk research and synthesise evidence from different sources.
•Ability to engage professionally with SMEs and external stakeholders.
•Good organisational skills and the ability to manage research activities and deadlines.
•Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a wider research project.
•Knowledge of cyber security policy, organisational cyber resilience or SME cyber security would be desirable.

Location
De Montfort University

Additional information

Unitemps is acting as an Employment Business, supplying temporary workers, in relation to this vacancy.

Unitemps DMU operates a monthly payroll - Please refer to the candidate information hub for DMU Unitemps in relation to pay dates and further information - HERE 

The information below is for DMU Students only:

The Careers Hub based in Hugh Aston Building on Campus is for DMU students from all faculties to receive tailored careers advice and support from trained Careers coaches; it is a useful space to visit should you have any questions regarding Careers! If you require help creating a CV/Cover Letter, please make the use of the Careers Team Skills Hub, available via MyGateway by clicking HERE

We aim to notify all candidates of the outcome of their application however volume of applications sometimes does not allow us to do so; please check your application status via your Unitemps account regularly; we may also communicate via email; please check your junk mail.

Apply for job