Research Associate - Complexity

About the role

This is an exciting new post for a Research Associate (RA) to work full-time on a study funded by the NIHR Programme Development Grants. The study’s focus is to enable delivery of high-quality child-centred care through assessment of complexity and outcomes by health, social care and education providers care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions.

The post holder will be responsible for setting up the study (i.e. obtaining ethical approval) and conducting data review, collection, and evaluation. They will conduct the following tasks:  lead a realist review; recruit for and conduct semi-structured qualitative interviews with children with life-limiting conditions and their parents and health, social care and education professionals; undertake qualitative data analysis; facilitate consensus workshops; support the development of the NIHR Programme Grant application.

This is a full-time post and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31/3/26.  There may be opportunity to extend but this is dependent on funding arrangements and cannot be guaranteed.

Expertise, knowledge, and experience of the health and social care sector, or palliative care services more broadly, are necessary, and qualitative research experience is essential. Enthusiasm in developing a career in palliative  care  or child health research will be beneficial and we are a supportive team that can assist with developing future grants and taking ideas forward.

This is a full time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31/03/2026.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• First Degree in relevant health related discipline 
• PhD qualified in relevant subject area i.e. including but not restricted to health services research, palliative care, child health psychology *
• Qualitative research experience, including skills to undertake evidence synthesis, qualitative interviews and data analysis.
• Ability to use initiative and work independently, with support from the wider team, and willingness to travel, if necessary, for interviews, conferences, and so on.
• Experience of contributing to formal processes of study development, such as writing the protocol, developing interview materials, applying for ethical approval (or amendments) and writing up reports and academic papers.
• Excellent presentation and written and verbal communication skills
• Being self-motivated and willing to work independently, as well as part of a larger interdisciplinary team
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, actively addressing areas of potential bias

*Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience of working with parents and young people with life-limiting conditions
• Engaging in multidisciplinary research projects 
• Strong publication record
• Previous experience of realistic review methods

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