Research Associate on the ‘ICALD’ study

Job reference: BMH-029712
Salary: £37,694 to £41,064 per annum dependent on relevant experience
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Biology, Medicine Health
Location: Manchester
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Division of Psychology and Mental Health
Hours Per Week: Full Time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 22/09/2025
Contract Duration: 30 Months
School/Directorate: School of Health Sciences

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on the Improving Communication with Adults with Learning Disabilities (ICALD) research programme, funded by the National Institute of Health & Care Research (NIHR). The aim of this programme is to improve the delivery and implementation of communication support for adults with learning disabilities living in social care settings.

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual who will be responsible for recruitment and data collection in the final work package of the ICALD programme: a randomised trial with stepped wedge design evaluating the delivery and implementation of an intervention package aimed to improve communication between social care staff and the adults with learning disabilities that they support.

The post requires experience of conducting recruitment and data collection in large studies and previous experience of working with or supporting people with learning disabilities and/or people that care for them and support them.

The post holder will contribute to recruitment of adults with learning disabilities, their family members and the staff that support them, and conduct assessment, interviews and observations. The postholder will contribute to the preparation of high quality outputs, disseminating research findings to different audiences and completing administrative tasks related to the study.

You will gain experience of conducting research in different settings, using different techniques to understand the support needs of adults with learning disabilities who experience difficulties with communication.

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31st May 2028. The role holder will be employed by and based at the University of Manchester. They will spend a significant amount of time travelling out to research sites around the North-West England and possibly further afield within England. Hybrid working is acceptable but we would expect the role holder to be available to work in-person at the University of Manchester at least one day per week.

NB: There is an equivalent role being offered through King’s College London. If you are interested in being considered for both the London and Manchester-based roles, please submit an application to both organisations independently.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we support an inclusive working environment and welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Kathy Leadbitter

Email: Kathy.Leadbitter@manchester.ac.uk

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