Research Associate

Department

The Mental Health and Addiction Research Group within the Department of Health Sciences is looking to appoint a Research Associate with experience in quantitative or mixed methods research, and an interest and relevant experience in research on tobacco and/or mental health.

You will be part of the NIHR-funded SCIMITAR-South Asia (SA) Global Health Research Programme, which aims to implement and evaluate a behavioural intervention (SCIMITAR-SA) for tobacco cessation in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. The SCIMITAR-SA intervention is targeted at individuals with serious mental illnesses and aims to reduce the risk of multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) in these populations by reducing tobacco use. You will work with the chief investigator, Professor Simon Gilbody, and the deputy lead, Faraz Siddiqui as part of a wider multidisciplinary team. The role will be line managed by Faraz Siddiqui.

You will have knowledge and experience in the conduct of multicentre (and preferably, multi-country) trials, and hold a PhD or equivalent experience in applied health research or a related discipline. You will work with the SCIMITAR-SA research team across the adaptation, implementation, and evaluation work packages. You will support the adaptation of the existing SCIMITAR-SA materials, design and delivery of the feasibility and effectiveness trials, and contribute to programme reports and academic outputs. The post will be based at the University of York, and there will be opportunities to travel internationally for purposes of trial monitoring & coordination, and dissemination.

The University of York offers flexible working patterns and several family-friendly initiatives. As a Department we are proud to foster a supportive culture that helps staff and students contribute fully, flourish and excel, to reach their full potential. We embrace equality, diversity and inclusion as well as the values of the Athena SWAN Charter in all our Departmental activities. 

Role

The successful applicant will:

• Support the adaptation of SCIMITAR-SA materials for delivery in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan
• Contribute to the development of study protocols and supporting documents for the SCIMITAR-SA trials
• Coordinate with the ethics and other regulatory bodies in York and in partner countries and institutions
• Oversee trial monitoring and coordination, ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of the SCIMITAR-SA trial
• Contribute to programme meetings and the development of internal and external reports
• Contribute to the production of research outputs, including journal articles, conference/meeting presentations, and annual reports to the funder.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• PhD in applied health research or a related field OR substantial equivalent experience
• Knowledge of trial methods (trial designs, strengths and limitations) and their application in tobacco/mental health research.
• Experience in conducting research studies in non-UK settings, including development of trial protocols, liaison with regulatory and ethics bodies, site set-up, recruitment, data collection, and study closure
• Experience in carrying out both independent and collaborative research and the ability to develop research objectives, projects and proposals
• Experience in writing up research work for publication, competency to make presentations and to assist with post-graduate teaching, if required.

Interview date: 30 April 2024

For informal enquiries: please contact Faraz Siddiqui, faraz.siddiqui@york.ac.uk

Condition of employment

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Consequently, all applicants will be asked to declare both unspent and spent convictions on their application form.

Appointment of the successful candidate will be conditional on a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

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