Research Associate

About the role:

The purpose of this role is to provide research support to colleagues for an ongoing research project titled “Co-creation with pupils and educators to overcome menstrual stigma in secondary schools”. This role is funded as part of the Applied Health and Care Research Group Award 2024 by the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre.

Dates: 01 January 2025 - 30 June 2025

Hours: 35 hours per week

Location: Fully remote

Project summary:

Since spring 2024, the research team have been working with menstruating pupils and school staff to help overcome menstrual stigma in secondary schools. We have been conducting focus groups with menstruating pupils and with school staff to help us understand current issues surrounding how menstruating pupils manage their periods daily school life, what period education, communication, and wider support looks like in secondary schools, what challenges pupils and teachers identify, and what we can do to improve the current situation. One of the key outcomes of this project will be the development and pilot of a training workshop for school staff to improve menstrual health communication in secondary schools.

Key responsibilities:

Responsibilities and daily tasks of the research assistant will include:

• Data analysis of focus group transcripts.
• Contributing to the development and delivery of a workshop for school staff aimed at support staff to improve menstrual health communication in secondary schools.
• Contributing to the write-up of an academic journal article.
• Contributing to the write-up of a policy brief and to the preparation for a meeting with policy makers.
• Engaging in regular meetings with the lead researcher in the research team.
• Collaborating with academic colleagues on research development and future directions.

The research assistant will also be required to:

• Plan and prioritise own work and resources.

• Use initiative and judgement to develop appropriate techniques to facilitate research work and resolve problems affecting the achievement of objectives and deadlines.
• Proactively and effectively communicate with the lead researcher in the research team.
• Actively participate as a member of the research team.

Person Specification

This role is only open to applicants who meet the criteria below:

Essential

• Experience of conducting qualitative research.
• An undergraduate level qualification.
• Knowledge of theory that can be used to understand menstrual stigma.
• Ability to use initiative, creativity, and judgement to develop appropriate approaches to further research.
• Experience of prioritising work independently and as part of a team to deliver individual and team objectives.
• Interest and passion for improving the well-being of girls and women.

Desirable

• Masters degree.
• Previous research experience within menstrual or women's health.

How to Apply

Please apply via the Apply button, completing the form on the next page and attaching your CV.

You will need to upload your CV as a .docx or .pdf document before you apply to be able to include this in your application.

The deadline for applications is 11:59pm on 16th October 2024.

If you have any queries, or need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Petra Kolić on p.kolic@mmu.ac.uk.

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