Research Associate

£39,560 - £48,337

• 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).

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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.

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

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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.

• 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

Part-time 0.8 FTE

4th Jan 2027-31st Dec 2028

Experience of conducting qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods analysis of research findings

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

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.

Experience of using health psychology, behavioural change and implementation science frameworks within research projects to improve patient care outcomes

Project management skills and ability to work independently and undertake multiple tasks in a time sensitive manner.

Evidence of successful grant capture

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

Collegiate attitude and ability to work well within a team

Ability to work sensitively and effectively when dealing with complex or sensitive research issues.

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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

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).