Northumbria University
Policy, Research and Projects Assistant for Universities for North East England (UNEE)
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Job Description
This is a graduate opportunity open to individuals who have recently graduated from Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, the University of Sunderland, or Teesside University. Applicants must meet these eligibility criteria to be considered for the role.
About The Role
Reporting to the Head of Partnerships, you will provide support across policy, research, public affairs, and project activity, working closely with colleagues across the five North East universities.
This is an early-career opportunity for a recent graduate looking to develop experience in policy, research, and partnership working. You will gain exposure to a range of activities, including:
- Researching policy developments
- Gathering and analysing information
- Supporting the preparation of reports and briefings
- Monitoring political and stakeholder developments
- Assisting with the coordination of projects
Working as part of a small team, you will work collaboratively with colleagues across the partnership and with external stakeholders. The role will provide an opportunity to develop your understanding of how policy, research, and public affairs support strategic decision-making and collaborative working across the higher education sector.
We are looking for someone with the academic foundation, interest, and potential to develop into this area. You do not need to have extensive previous policy experience; we are looking for strong research, organisational, and communication skills, alongside a willingness to learn, take initiative, and contribute to the work of the team.
Travel across the five universities may sometimes be required.
Further information about the role and its responsibilities is available in the job description.
The role is fixed term for 18 months.
Interviews will take place week commencing 21st September 2026.
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About Universities For North East England
Launched in November 2024, Universities for North East England (UNEE) is a partnership bringing together the universities of Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland, and Teesside. Building on existing collaboration, UNEE is the unified place-informed voice of Higher Education in North East England, ensuring our role and contribution in the region is valued and advocating for and championing the North East region. Through UNEE, we are collaborating to help educate the future workforce, support a vibrant regional economy, and position and market the North East for investment and to advocate for evidence-based policy development.
About You
To be successful in the role, you will have:
- Strong research and analytical skills
- Strong planning and organising skills, adhering to timelines and budgets and able to manage competing priorities and pressures
- Keen interest in public policy and regional devolution
- Team player with strong interpersonal skills, ability to work with people at different levels across the organisation and external partners, agents, clients, and customers
- Capabilities of IT systems and applications
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to draft and prepare high-level reports and briefings, etc.
- Potential/ability to operate in a changing environment and integrate new areas of work
- Self-motivated and able to work without close supervision
- Confident and able to use initiative
Further information is available in the person specification.
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact 'dionne.lee@unee.ac.uk'.
To apply for this vacancy, please click 'Apply Now'. Your application should include a covering letter and a CV.
About Us
Join Northumbria University, a research-intensive institution unlocking potential and changing lives locally and globally. Named Times Higher Education's University of the Year in 2022 and Modern University of the Year in 2025, we rank top 25 in the UK for research power. Discover more about us.
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With over 37,000 students from more than 140 countries, we offer world-leading research, award-winning partnerships, and an outstanding student experience. We empower our exceptional staff, promoting a positive work-life balance and offering great benefits, including excellent pension schemes, flexible working, generous holiday entitlement, and more.
Our Northumbria Values, co-created by our team, define who we are: Academic Excellence, Innovation, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Ambition. Our Behaviours shape our work culture: We listen and learn, support one another, respect everyone, trust each other, and are bold.
Based in Newcastle upon Tyne and London, we are an on-campus organisation and offer flexible hours and location where the role allows. We pride ourselves on diversity and inclusivity, holding numerous awards for gender and race equality, disability confidence, and research excellence. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers. The University has implemented a range of flexible working arrangements, and we are happy to explore candidate requirements as part of the recruitment process.
Apply now and join a community committed to transforming society and the economy. Explore "Our Exceptional People, Our Values and Behaviours" page to learn more about our commitments and see our Privacy Policy for further details.
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