Internal Only - Research Assistant, DECIPHer

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This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only.  Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.

Internal Only - Research Assistant, DECIPHer

Cardiff University School of Social Sciences is seeking to recruit a Research Assistant to work within the Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer) research centre that is located within the School of Social Sciences, and the Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health.

We are looking for a Research Assistant with a commitment to translational research which aims to improve the life chances of neurodivergent young people to work on the UKRI funded RE-STAR programme. RE-STAR is a multi-disciplinary and cross institution programme of research which brings together developmental psychology, data science, psychiatry and neuroscience, with educational studies and the performing arts. Its goal is to better understand the role played by emotion regulation (ER) difficulties in the development of mental health problems in autistic young people and young people with ADHD: and then to translate the knowledge gained into new school-based interventions tailored to the needs of these young people. Cardiff University is leading the final stage of this research programme, which will, informed by earlier stages of the research programme and new syntheses of the literature, work with the RE-STAR team and collaborators to develop new school based strategies. RE-STAR involves a neurodiverse team of scientists, young people and 3rd sector organisations, including collaboration with partners at universities and stakeholder organisations as well as artists, teachers and doctors. Neurodivergent young people are actively involved in RE-STAR from start to finish. As such, the successful applicant will be willing to work effectively in a collaborative environment. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), fixed term covering a period of Maternity Leave from 1st March 2024 to 31st August 2024

Salary: £32,332 - £34,980 per annum, with 3 annual increments up to £34,980 per annum (final salary at top of grade).

Responsible to Professor Graham Moore

For an informal discussion about the role please contact  Professor Graham Moore, [email protected] Telephone 029 2087 5387

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (including bank holidays), blended working (meaning you will be able to work from home for some of your time), a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

As the biggest university in Wales – and a major employer, with more than 7,000 staff – we are an ambitious and innovative university located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. We can offer you the chance to work in a vibrant organisation, with great benefits and opportunities for progression.

Closing date: Monday, 1 January 2024

External applications are currently not being considered for this post.  If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Job Description

To contribute to research on the development and adaptation of school based strategies to prevent depression among autistic young people, and young people with ADHD, carrying out supporting work that helps lead to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Research

• To conduct research on the development of new, and adaptation of existing, school based strategies to prevent depression among autistic young people and young people with ADHD, working with collaborators across multiple universities, third sectors organisations and the RE-STAR Youth Research Panels.
• To review and synthesise research literature
• To contribute and support in preparation of research ethics and research governance applications, and research publications and presentations
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including supporting the planning and organisation of the project and implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To support the development of new research funding proposals
• To build networks internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects
• To be an active member of the research centre community where the project is based, and engage with core research centre activities

• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Postgraduate qualification (e.g. MSc) in a relevant subject
• Experience of collaborations with policymakers, practitioners and/or third sector partners
• Experience working with schools and young people
• Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.

 It is Cardiff University's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for shortlisting. Therefore, candidates must evidence they meet ALL the essential criteria and, where relevant, the desirable.

As part of the application process, you are asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined in the person specification. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide for each criterion.

 When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure you name it with the vacancy reference number: XXXXBR.

Your application will be at risk of not being progressed if you do not evidence you have met all essential criteria. The school welcomes the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

Please note that these are also the criteria shortlisted applicants will be assessed against at interview and/or by other means (e.g. a skills test).

Additional Information

The role will be based within the Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer) research centre that is located within the School of Social Sciences, and the Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health. DECIPHer is a Health and Care Research Wales funded public health research centre of excellence, specialised in developing and evaluating complex interventions for public health improvement, with a primary focus on children and young people. The Wolfson centre is funded by the Wolfson Foundation with the aim of preventing adolescent depression and anxiety, with experts in developmental and clinical psychiatry, genetics, social sciences and neuroscience. The research centres are located at the Cardiff University Social Science Research Park (SPARK) alongside other research centres. There may also be opportunities to participate in other public health studies conducted at the DECIPHer research centre. The post allows for flexible working.

DECIPHer (Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement)

Established via UKCRC funding as one of 5 Public Health Research Centre of Excellence in 2009 - 2019, DECIPHer (Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement) is now a Health and Care Research Wales funded public health research centre of excellence. It continues to develop and evaluate complex interventions for public health improvement, with a primary focus on children and young people. Since 2009, DECIPHer has aimed to conduct research that:
•            leads to measurable improvements in the health of children and young people
•            co-produces and evaluates interventions at multiple ecological levels that are effective in improving health and reducing health inequalities, and can be maintained in real world practice

On going funding for DECIPHer has ensured that we continue to provide:
•            a platform for internationally excellent multidisciplinary research in the development and evaluation of complex interventions to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people and address health inequalities
•            an internationally excellent environment for multidisciplinary public health improvement research career development
•            a focal point in Wales for collaboration between academia, policy, practice and the public in public health improvement research that will maximise its relevance, innovation, translation and impact.

DECIPHer hosts the School Health Research Network and an internationally recognised programme of research and teaching in methodology for the development and evaluation of interventions. In the next five years, DECIPHer will focus on health improvement research across four core research programmes: Healthy public policy, Healthy social relationships, Healthy Settings and Organisations, Methodological innovation in complex intervention science.

Job Category

Academic - Research