Research assistant jobs in Islington, greater london

Are you fiercely dedicated to Indigenous peoples’ rights, a fluent Spanish speaker, and ready to put your networking, analytical, and strategic skills to use as part of a dynamic international campaign team? Survival International is offering a rare opportunity to join our Research and Advocacy Department, working primarily on our campaigns for the rights of uncontacted Indigenous peoples in Spanish-speaking South America. 

This is a chance to join a deeply committed Indigenous rights campaigning organisation that regularly takes on powerful targets and wins. We are looking for a creative, strategic and focused research and policy person to join us at either Officer or Assistant level. You can be part of combating the violent colonialism and land theft that is threatening Indigenous peoples worldwide – one of the most urgent crises of our time. 

For further details and how to apply, please see the job description and application form. The application form is downloadable via the 'How to apply' button.

The Royal Meteorological Society is the UK’s professional and learned Society for Weather and Climate and is respected around the world for its contribution to meteorology.  The Society is a charity and its programmes of work include providing professional accreditation, developing educational resources and skills, producing scientific publications, holding public and professional meetings and events, giving advice to Government and policy makers, and a growing role in providing information to the public on the science of weather and climate change.

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Assistant to support an exciting project called the State of the Climate for the Agri-Food Sector, which we are delivering in partnership with the Met Office. This project aims to contribute to the evidence base of current impacts of climate change on the agri-food sector in the UK. This role is ideal for someone with strong research skills and an interest in weather and climate and the influence on the agri-food sector.

Roles and Responsibilities

The candidate will be responsible for the following but will be expected to meet with the project team once a month and come to the kick-off meeting and launch event. There is also scope for involvement in the communication and dissemination of the work throughout the program.

The responsibilities and timeline are set out as follows:

• Update the research protocol with the project team (Q1)
• Evidence and Data Synthesis from publicly available data sources and data provided by project partners (Q1):
  •  Carry out evidence synthesis
  •  Compile results from synthesis
  •  Share results with stakeholders
• Indicator co-production workshop (Q1)
  •  With the project team identify key stakeholders for an indicator workshop
  •  Share results from evidence and data synthesis to support the discussion
  •  Co-deliver the running of the workshop
  •  Write a draft report of the outcomes and agreed indicators
• Develop Agri-Food Case Studies which will form part of a resource hub (Q2/Q3)
  •  Run online focus groups
  •  Develop case studies of transformative adaptation taking place in the UK
  •  Share case studies with stakeholders
• Final Report and Roadmap (Q2/Q3)
  •  Lead the write up of the final technical report
  •  Develop roadmap of the annual process
• Project wrap up feeding into planning for 2027 cycle (Q4)

Required Skills and Competencies

The required skills and competencies that the Society view as important for this role are:

Essential:

• Hold or carrying out a research degree and be either a student or an early career researcher/professional (i.e. MPhil, MSc, PhD); Background or strong interest in agri-food, weather and climate is highly preferred.
• Experience in academic or applied research including with quantitative analysis. Strong analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce clear, professional documentation for external stakeholders
• Self-starter with excellent organisational skills and the ability to work independently and manage time effectively
• Confidence to chair and organise focus groups and workshop with stakeholders
• A friendly and open-minded approach, with strong interpersonal skills
• Familiarity with indicator development
• Skilled in programming in R and/or Python
• All applicants are required to demonstrate the right to work in the UK.

Desired:

• Experience working on a project with multiple stakeholders

Recruitment information and timetable

Funding: The salary range is £30,000 - £35,000 per annum depending on experience. This is advertised as a full-time position; however, we are open to flexible arrangements. For example, the role could be structured as a secondment from industry or academia; or offered on a part-time basis for a set number of days per week.

Closing date: The deadline for applications is 3pm, Tuesday 6th January. Interviews are expected to take place w/c 19th January 2026 with some flexibility for interview times outside of core working hours.

Start Date: February 1st, 2026

Duration: 12 months, with the possibility of extension dependant on funding.

Location: This will be a remote working role, with opportunities to visit Society headquarters and attend relevant RMetS events. There may also be an occasional requirement for in person meetings with the Met Office and our funding partner.

Support: The role will be supervised by the RMetS Science Engagement Business Development Manager. Expenses will be reimbursed in line with the RMetS Expenses Policy.

The Royal Meteorological Society values diversity of background and perspective and is committed to treating all people equally and with respect irrespective of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We value diversity of background and perspective.

We are particularly committed to the employment and career development of disabled people. As part of this commitment, we operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role they have applied for and we will proactively consider all reasonable adjustments to facilitate employment with us. If you wish to apply under this scheme, please indicate this in your covering letter.

Purpose of the job 

 In UK Youth’s Impact department, we find, create and use evidence to respond to the needs and preferences of young people and the professionals who support them. We conduct research and evaluations to prove and improve the impact of youth work, and we co-design high-quality programmes and support offers that can be scaled. This new role will work across these areas, supporting research and evaluation projects with real implications for policy and practice. 

 Reporting to the Evaluation & Learning Manager, you will be responsible for supporting the delivery of a portfolio of research and evaluation projects. This will involve conducting research in-house and coordinating with external partners and the organisations we fund to build and share high-quality evidence. There will be opportunities to lead on fieldwork, data analysis, reporting and insight sharing with strategic guidance and hands-on support from other members of the team. 

 You will be organised, keen to develop your research skills and have a passion for working with data. You will support high profile research and evaluation projects, including the evaluation of the Adventures Away From Home Fund – a major, Government-funded outdoor learning programme. You can expect to support other projects, gathering and sharing insights from our network and young people and helping the team to work efficiently and effectively. 

Why work at UK Youth? 

We want all young people to be equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. Youth work can be life changing (and even life saving). Our strategy positions UK Youth to unlock youth work so that every young person in the UK can benefit. We work with a network that shares this ambition to build cross-sector understanding of youth work’s transformational potential, secure sufficient investment for sustainable provision, and help to embed effective solutions that will increase the quality as well as accessibility of youth work. Come and be part of this change. 

Responsibilities

• Evaluation and Learning

• Knowledge and Data Management

• Research and Horizon Scanning

Experience we're after

• Experience of managing datasets on digital platforms/software (quantitative and/or qualitative)

• Experience of leading or supporting quantitative and/or qualitative research and data analysis in any setting

• Experience of conducting literature reviews to analyse existing evidence on specific topics

• Experiencing of working across multiple projects and competing priorities and managing your time and tasks proactively

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: Tuesday 6th January 2026 at 09:00am

Provisional Interview Dates: 14th and 15th January 2026

As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.