Research Assistant / Associate (health services research)

This is an exciting opportunity to join a research team based at Newcastle University to work on one or both of the following projects. The first study aims to improve palliative care for people with multiple long-term conditions, The second will investigate support for spiritual health in primary care. You will work with the leads, Dr Felicity Dewhurst, and Dr Orla Whitehead, along with Professors Barbara Hanratty, Katie Brittain and Amy O'Donnell. These projects are funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the John Templeton Foundation, USA.

Both posts are fixed term until 31st December 2025. The spiritual health study post is available at up to 80% full time equivalent (with a possibility of 100% depending on experience and start date). The palliative care study post is available up to 50% initially, with potential for extension beyond December 2025. We will welcome applications from people who wish to work less than full time, and / or would be willing to work across both projects.

The Population Health Sciences Institute is committed to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion for all staff and students. Applications for part time/flexible working are welcome; please state your desired working arrangements in your application.,

• You will take a leading role in the study conduct, including data collection and analysis, to ensure the aims and objectives of the study are addressed. This will include some or all of the following tasks:


• Obtaining ethical approvals


• Leading an evidence synthesis


• Planning and executing surveys


• Recruiting and interviewing study participants


• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records to document the research progress. Report progress regularly to the PI and other members of the team


• Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements


• Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required


• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding


• Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids


• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations


• Compiling reports for funder and peer reviewed publications, presenting data at group meetings and conferences, and preparing feedback for participants


• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline


• May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants


• Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute


• May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science/social sciences/humanities


• Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment


• Working with our experts by experience including our lay co-applicants and expert stakeholder group
  
  Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills


• Some subject knowledge relevant to end of life care for multiple long-term conditions and/or spiritual health in primary care may be an advantage


• Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects


• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability


• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others


• Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment


• Ability to present findings at leading health, public health and social science conferences


• Evidence of skills in empirical research involving primary data collection using qualitative techniques


• Evidence of skills in using relevant software data management packages (e.g. STATA, R, NVivo, EPPI-Reviewer)


• Commitment to own personal development


• Experience of conducting high quality research in an academic environment


• Experience of conducting applied health research on sensitive topics


• Experience of evidence synthesis, qualitative data collection, analysis and reporting


• Ability to carry out research project work within agreed timelines, meeting project milestones and producing research to an appropriate standard


• Ability to prioritise key tasks


• Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect research/personal data according to protocols and principles of good research practice


• Demonstrable ability to work in a range of settings and situations across disciplines


• Ability to prepare reports and papers for presentation at national and international conferences and meetings


• Evidence of ability to write for high quality peer reviewed publications


Desirable

• Experience of survey design


• Experience of conducting applied health research in sensitive areas (e.g. end of life and palliative care)


• Experience of preparing research proposals and securing grant income


Attributes and Behaviour

• Ability to work independently and as part of the research project team


• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills


• Ability to work flexibly and cooperatively with others


• A willingness to seek help when unsure of next steps


• A willingness to travel within the UK if required, For appointment at Research Associate Level, a PhD in a subject relevant to multi-method research on palliative and end of life care for people with multiple long-term conditions / spiritual health in primary care e.g. public health, social gerontology, epidemiology or a closely related subject


• For appointment at Research Assistant Level, first and masters degrees in a relevant subject (as above)


• Demonstrable training in qualitative and/or quantitative + mixed and/or evidence synthesis methods relevant to study topic(s)
  
  Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you., Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.


We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.