Research Lead (Associate or Assistant level)

Location:  St Mary’s Campus, Paddington, London, UK

Job Summary

This is an opportunity to lead two research studies looking at how people can be better supported in their own homes at the end of life.  Our team at the Helix Centre has developed a set of digital and paper-based interventions – called “Palliate” – to help train and support lay carers to administer symptom relief at end of life.  We are now setting out to evaluate the safety and experience of the intervention when used by members of the public, as well as to explore opportunities and barriers to adoption through qualitative research with different stakeholder groups.  We are therefore looking for a Research Associate or Research Assistant to lead that work.

This project is supported by a major philanthropic funder and an active steering group which includes researchers and clinicians from the University of Cambridge, Royal Marsden, and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.  It brings exciting opportunities to undertake important research that will advance policy and practice in end-of-life care provision in the UK and beyond.

At the Helix Centre, we seek to make a real, lasting difference to the lives of patients and healthcare professionals through research, design and technology. We operate out of St Mary’s Hospital and are one of six centres within the Institute of Global Health Innovation (IGHI), which is focused on the co-creation and diffusion of healthcare innovation to tackle some of the most pressing global challenges facing people today.

If you enjoy working with members of the public and healthcare professionals, have an interest in end-of-life care, lay-person administration of medication and/or patient safety, and are driven to make an evidence-based impact on how healthcare is delivered, this could be the role for you. 

For more information:

https://helixcentre.com/

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/global-health-innovation/

https://palliate.info/

Duties and responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for the following:

• Recruiting and establishing relationships with study participants, including members of the public and other stakeholders, through a range of methods including social media adverts, and via healthcare professionals at a partner NHS Trust
• Overseeing and conducting data collection, which will involve conducting interviews, administering questionnaires and direct observation
• Performing data analysis through appropriate statistical and qualitative methods
• Interpreting findings, drawing conclusions and identifying implications for practice, future development of the intervention and research
• Managing the project timeline, ensuring milestones and deadlines are met

Essential requirements

This role would be suited to a healthcare professional with experience in conducting and managing research independently.  We would therefore anticipate the candidate to have worked previously as a senior research nurse/practitioner or in a postgraduate (or equivalent) research position.

• Degree or PhD in healthcare-focused research, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience
• Publication in relevant and peer-reviewed journals
• Knowledge of ethical principles and regulations related to human research
• Knowledge of quantitative of mixed-methods research methods and statistical procedures

Further Information

This is a full time or part-time role (min 0.6 full-time equivalent). The appointment is for a fixed term of 12 months. You will be based at St. Mary’s Campus (Paddington, London).

Should you require further details on the role please contact: Dr Kate Grailey – [email protected]

For technical issues when applying online please email [email protected]

Closing date: 27 February 2024