Research Assistant (First 1000 days project)

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My First 1000 Days project

Are you interested in improving the long-term development and life chances of children born into disadvantaged communities? Do you havean undergraduate degree in a subject relevant to food and nutrition, physical activity, language and cognitive development, or childhood and disability? Do you have experience of collecting and analysing qualitative data?

 We are recruiting a Research Assistant to work on the ‘My First 1000 Days’ project, a project aimed at improving the long-term development and life chances of children born into some of the most disadvantaged communities in Leeds, Yorkshire. Funded by a substantial donation from an individual donor, the project will harness expertise from research groups across the University and work with a range of regional and international partners. This project has differing workstreams that represent a holistic approach to the crucial first 1000 days of a child’s life. The project will determine the feasibility of implementing group care with new parents/primary caregivers and their 0–2-year-olds in Leeds. The project outcomes will influence and inform national policy, especially around how supporting early parenting can impact language and cognitive development, healthy behaviours, and support the flourishing of disabled children. 

 You will assist with the My First 1000 Days research activities which will include producing study documents, recruiting research participants/sites, and collecting and analysing both qualitative and quantitative data. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

As a Research Assistant your main duties will include:

• Assisting with the development of project documents (e.g., Participant Information Sheets) and research ethics applications; recruiting research participants to the study;  
• Observing existing pregnancy and post-natal classes, collecting observational data and other research data; 
• Undertaking research interviews and focus groups with new parents/primary caregivers and health and social care professionals;
• Working with the project Research Fellows to analyse and interpret qualitative data; 
• Entering quantitative data into project databases, generating and interpreting descriptive statistics;
• Contributing to the set-up of a Leeds Centre Based Group Care programme in collaboration with the My First 1000 Days project team, communities in Leeds, and external partners (e.g., NHS trusts, local government, public health authorities, third sector organisations, and consultants from the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research);  
• Working both independently and as part of a larger team of researchers and stakeholders;
• Contributing to the development of high-quality peer-reviewed journals of national and international standing, in collaboration with the My First 1000 Days project team;

You will report to Dr Shirley-Anne Paul (Project Manager).

These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the post.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Dr Shirley-Anne Paul, Senior Project Manager

Email: [email protected]

Additional Information
Working at Leeds 

We are a campus based community and regular interaction with campus is an expectation of all roles in line with academic and service needs and the requirements of the role.  We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements. To find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Leeds area visit our Working at Leeds information page. 

Location:  Leeds - Main Campus
Faculty/Service:  Faculty of Medicine & Health
School/Institute:  School of Psychology
Category:  Research
Grade:  Grade 6
Salary:  £30,487 to £36,024 per annum
Post Type:  Full Time
Contract Type:  Fixed Term (1 February 2024 to 28 February 2026)
Release Date:  Wednesday 06 December 2023
Closing Date:  Wednesday 03 January 2024
Interview Date:  Thursday 18 January 2024
Reference:  MHPSY1117
Further details: