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Overview
We are looking to appoint an experienced Research Associate with qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills to join the School of Medicine and Population Health to work on our ‘Delivering Care Closer to Home’ theme as part of the Yorkshire & Humber Applied Research Collaboration. We are seeking an individual with a strong understanding of health psychology and behavioural change who can help to deliver high impact research that can help support the shift of care from hospital to community.
The candidate will undertake and lead research and consultancy projects, including delivery of existing research projects (evaluation of primary care group clinics, exploring avoidable emergency readmissions). They will also develop and deliver research bids in response to funding calls prioritised by the Department of Health and Social Care and securing additional funding via open research calls or Fellowship applications. The role will have a strong focus on co-production and research inclusion.
The post holder will be responsible for developing research protocols, undertaking qualitative interviews and surveys with patients, carers and healthcare providers, conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis and preparing outputs for various audiences (academic, health and social care professionals, and lived experience). You will have a strong background in co-design and co-production methods, including participatory systems mapping and be a skilled facilitator and listener. Importantly, you will be able to build trust with a wide range of stakeholders and be able to work sensitively with people with lived experience of a range of conditions and use creative, culturally grounded approaches to involve people meaningfully.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Work closely with team members to undertake a range of research activities, managing daily work from multiple workstreams and multiple research projects.
- Lead on organising and conducting fieldwork for projects within the responsive theme of the ARC. Some travel will be required, mainly within the Yorkshire region.
- Lead analysis of qualitative data, supported by senior researchers in the team.
- Horizon scan for research funding and respond to research funding calls by developing research grants to support delivery of care closer to home.
- Co-ordinate research activity and liaise with members of the research team within the University of Sheffield and partner NHS and social care organisations to ensure delivery of research to study deadlines.
- Ensure that all research is conducted in accordance with relevant legislation and within the requirements of research ethics and governance, including recruitment of participants and obtaining informed consent.
- Contribute to the writing of study reports, conference abstracts and other dissemination materials.
- Liaise with existing Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement group and Stakeholder group to ensure emerging findings are shared and discussed. Expand and support these groups to engage in future research to ensure dissemination activities are inclusive.
- Attend team, research group and other section or School meetings as required.
- You will make a full and active contribution to the principles of the ‘Sheffield Academic’. These include the achievement of excellence in applied teaching and research, and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University’s achievements as a whole.
- As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University of Sheffield One University strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
| Criteria | Essential or desirable | Stage(s) assessed at |
|---|---|---|
| A research-based Masters or PhD in health-related discipline (or equivalent experience) | Essential | Application/interview |
| Experience of planning, recruiting, conducting and analysing surveys and qualitative interviews with healthcare professionals and patients and carers | Essential | Application/interview |
| Experience of designing and leading co-production workshops and undertaking participatory systems mapping with health and social care professionals or lived experience groups. | Essential | Application/interview |
| Experience of conducting qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods analysis of research findings | Desirable | Application/interview |
| Excellent IT skills and experience in the use of relevant software including Google Suite, Word, NVivo, SPSS (or other survey/qualitative software) and Kumu/PRSM | Essential | Application/interview |
| Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to tailor style to different audiences. E.g. writing academic articles, and plain English summaries. | Essential | Application/interview |
| Experience of using health psychology, behavioural change and implementation science frameworks within research projects to improve patient care outcomes | Essential | Application/interview |
| Project management skills and ability to work independently and undertake multiple tasks in a time sensitive manner. | Essential | Application/interview |
| Evidence of successful grant capture | Desirable | Application/interview |
| Practices in line with NIHR equality, diversity and inclusion principles (e.g. with respect to participant identification, recruitment and interviewing) and open access research principles | Essential | Application/interview |
| Collegiate attitude and ability to work well within a team | Essential | Application/interview |
| Ability to work sensitively and effectively when dealing with complex or sensitive research issues. | Essential | Application/interview |
Further Information
| Grade | 7 |
| Salary | £39,560 - £48,337 |
| Work arrangement | Part-time 0.8 FTE |
| Duration | 4th Jan 2027-31st Dec 2028 |
| Line manager | Professor Fiona Sampson |
| Direct reports | ARC Delivering Care Closer to Home Theme Leads |
| Right to work in the UK | If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility. Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website. |
| Our website | School of Medicine and Population Health | Medicine and Population Health | The University of Sheffield |
For informal enquiries about this job contact Fiona Sampson, Co-theme lead for Delivering Care Closer to Home: on f.c.sampson@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 2220687.
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place at the end of November. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by Mid November. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact DPH-Section-Operations@sheffield.ac.uk.
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What we offer
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- access to menopause support in the workplace
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).
We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.
