Graduate Research Assistant (Disability Sport, Equity and Rowing Research)

Pararowingfoundation; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A non-profit research organization in Edinburgh seeks a Graduate Research Assistant to contribute to research on disability sport and equity. The successful candidate will engage with individuals with disabilities, analyze crucial data, and help inform practices that enhance access and fairness in sports. This role emphasizes academic growth and genuine social impact over financial gain, making it ideal for intellectually curious graduates pursuing meaningful research experience.

Benefits

Hands-on experience in applied research

Ongoing expert mentoring

Opportunity to strengthen academic CV

Qualifications

• Strong interest in disability sport, equity, and research.
• Comfortable engaging with individuals with disabilities in a respectful and professional manner.
• Analytical, curious, and motivated by applied research.

Responsibilities

• Develop and support a research study on disability sport interventions.
• Work directly with individuals with disabilities to assess their interaction with rowing.
• Collect and analyze data on health and equity outcomes.

Skills

Analytical skills

Engagement with individuals with disabilities

Research skills

Education

Graduate degree in Social Sciences or related fields

Job description

Are you a graduate researcher who wants your work to matter in the real world?

This is a rare opportunity to contribute to meaningful, applied research at the intersection of disability sport, equity, and performance. Working alongside the ERI Institute and the Para Rowing Foundation (PRF), a trusted leading authority pioneering evidence‑led approaches to access and opportunity in para rowing, you will help generate research that directly informs practice, policy, and decision making across the sport.

Your work will contribute to closing equity and success gaps for athletes with disabilities by building credible data and insight that shapes fairer systems. This role is designed for intellectually curious graduates who want their research to extend beyond theory and into genuine social impact, while strengthening their academic profile and professional trajectory.

Application Closing Date

Midnight (GMT) on Sunday 4th January 2026

Role Title

Graduate Research Assistant

Disability Sport, Equity and Rowing Research

Role Overview

This role is distinct from current organisational recruitment needs. We are seeking a graduate level student to support and report to Gilad Taney at the ERI Institute (ERI-Institute.com) and the Para Rowing Foundation (ParaRowingFoundation.org).

The position is designed to align with graduate level academic requirements, offering an opportunity to complete project based research in collaboration with the candidate’s university or graduate program.

Academic Background

• Social Sciences
• Public Health, Sport Science, or related research focused fields

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and support an ongoing research study examining disability sport interventions and their impact on equity, access, and success gaps
• Work directly with individuals with disabilities to assess their interaction with rowing and disability sport
• Collect and analyse short term and long term data relating to health, connection, equity, and fairness outcomes
• Support structured data collection, reporting, and interpretation
• Contribute to the publication of research findings in appropriate academic or sector publications
• Collaborate with ERI Institute and PRF leadership on research design and development

Learning and Development Opportunities

• Hands on experience in applied research within disability sport
• Ongoing expert mentoring
• Exposure to real world research project development and delivery
• Opportunity to strengthen academic and professional CV through meaningful research contribution
• Structured data sets
• Short term and long term measurement reporting
• Academic or sector based research publications

Role Type and Compensation

• Designed specifically for graduate level research or project requirements
• Flexible structure to align with academic timelines and program needs
• An opportunity to gain valuable experience in research for the university and a non-profit organization

Ideal Candidate

• Strong interest in disability sport, equity, and research
• Comfortable engaging with individuals with disabilities in a respectful and professional manner
• Analytical, curious, and motivated by applied research
• Seeking a role that provides depth, purpose, and academic value rather than financial compensation