Research Associate - Children Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study 2027 (CSPPA 2027)

Job Details

Salary

Pro rata to ** 33,680 - 41,908 per annum**

Discipline

Research

Reference

044166

Expiry

05 November 2026

Job Description

Role:

Research Associate - Children Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study 2027 (CSPPA 2027)

Department:

School of Sport & Exercise Science

Grade:

Research 6/7 (pro rata to 33,680 - 41,908 per annum)

Responsible to:

Principal Investigator

Location:

Belfast

Fixed-Term until 30th September 2027/ Part-time (0.6FTE)

Job Purpose:

The Children s Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study 2027 (CSPPA 2027) is an All-Island population research project that follows on from CSPPA in 2022, 2018 and 2010. CSPPA is a comprehensive all-island research project tracking how children and young people aged 10 to 19 engage in sport, physical education (PE), active travel, and physical activity across the island of Ireland. CSPPA is a multi-centre study, undertaken by Ulster University, University of Limerick, Dublin City University and University College Cork.

This post offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to an all-island research project that aims to monitor and improve physical activity in children and adolescents. The successful candidate will play a central role in the recruitment of schools and data collection within Northern Ireland.

Working closely with academic researchers and schools, the Research Associate will undertake participant recruitment, data collection, data management, and communication with partner organisations. They will also contribute to qualitative interviews and support data analysis under supervision.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in physical activity, public health, physical education and school-based research, to gain hands-on experience.

Application Guidance

Closing Date: 5th November 2026 at 23:30

Guidance regarding applications can be found here: https://recruitment.ulster.ac.uk/information-for-applicants/what-to-expect-from-the-application-and-interview-process.

If you are still having issues, please contact Elaine Graham email: e.graham@ulster.ac.uk stating the vacancy reference number.

Click on the links below for any relevant documents Please note, these documents will not be available after the job advert closes. Please ensure that you download and save these.

Visa and Eligibility

Please be advised that due to the minimum salary thresholds imposed by the UKVI, this post will not qualify for university sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please check your options here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

If you have any specific queries regarding this post, please contact the named email address for the vacancy, as listed on the main current vacancies landing page.

If you have any specific queries regarding eligibility to work in the UK, our Resourcing Compliance team may be able to help: Resourcing-compliance@ulster.ac.uk

Please note that Ulster University does not currently offer reimbursement for any costs associated with visa applications, including the Immigration Health Surcharge.

General Information

We may create a 12-month waiting list for same or similar roles within the Department / Faculty. The University reserves the right to extend the waiting list across the University if required for certain posts.

Ulster University recognises the potential benefits that Generative AI tools (for example Chat GPT) may bring to some candidates during the application process. In particular, we recognise the positive impact such tools may have with regard to equality, diversity and inclusion. When using AI, however, we encourage candidates to use the technology responsibly, ensuring that submitted applications provide an accurate representation of your skills, abilities and experience. Our selection activities are designed to robustly test and evaluate the extent to which candidates meet the selection criteria outlined for each role. This includes the use of interviews, presentations, written exercises and other additional selection activities as appropriate for each role.

The School of Sport & Exercise Science holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing Gender equality in higher education. You can read more about what this means at https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/equality-charters/transformed-uk-athena-swan-charter and on our University website https://www.ulster.ac.uk/peopleandculture/employee-benefits/equality-diversity/athena-swan.

The University has a range of initiatives to support a family friendly working environment, including flexible working.

About Us

We are a University with a national and international reputation for excellence, innovation and regional engagement, making a major contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of Northern Ireland.

Our core business activities are teaching and learning, widening access to education, research and innovation and technology and knowledge transfer.

The Role

This is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in physical activity, public health, physical education and school-based research, to gain practical experience.

About You

PhD completed or near completion (thesis submitted) in Physical Education, Education, Sport, Physical Activity, Health, or a closely related discipline.
PGCE, PGDE or equivalent recognised teaching qualification.
Experience in collecting physical activity, survey or physical health data from children aged 10-18.

Employee Benefits

Please find our employee benefits on our website.

The School of Sport & Exercise Science holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing Gender equality in higher education. You can read more about what this means on our University website. The University has a range of initiatives to support a family friendly working environment, including flexible working.

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly those with disabilities. Appointment will be made on merit.

We value your feedback on the quality of our adverts. If you have a comment to make about the overall quality of this advert, or its categorisation then please send us your feedback