Research Assistant/Research Fellow Community Asset Network (CAN-DO)

The key purpose of this post is to support the development of research capacity across community assets in three locations in Devon, with local data collection involving different stakeholders and feedback to teams.

You will contribute to and lead delivery of key activities for capacity building.  This will involve working with residents, service user/patients, carers, community and voluntary sector partners and clinicians in the wider NHS.  This post is part of a Devon wide team (VCSE partners, Universities of Plymouth and Exeter, Integrated Care System) funded by UK research councils to develop research capacity related to community assets with the aim of reducing health disparities.

The nine month project will lead onto the opportunity to bid for larger projects.  You will primarily undertake qualitative research: facilitating workshops and hosting focus groups, in depth interviews as well as observation work in meetings in community settings.  You will also support quantitative descriptive data analysis with supervision and support, and be involved in the publication and dissemination/utilisation of findings.

An important aspect of this role will be working with community partners to support capacity building in research skills while also learning from the community and recognising their skills and strengths. The post will be working as embedded researchers in the community, being part of Plymouth University’s Community and Primary Care Research Group, and being part of the Peninsula Applied Research Collaborative (PenARC).  It will include working in university and site offices, from home and significant field work.  Researchers will have honorary contracts with key organisation(s).

Please demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.

You should tailor your application towards the Job Description for which you meet the criteria, although the University reserves the right to make an offer at the appropriate level in relation to skills and experience.

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Professor Richard Byng by email at [email protected] .

Interviews are likely to take place on 3rd February 2023 and you will be notified if you have been shortlisted or not.

This post can be applied for on a part-time basis and could also be worked as a secondment opportunity, working from 11.1 hours to 22.2 hours per week, on a fixed-term contract for 9 months in the first instance due to funding.  We would like the post to start as soon as possible.  Please clearly specify on your application the number of hours you would like to be considered for.

A willingness to travel is essential as you will be required to travel and work at different University and business locations.

We offer a competitive salary package and a generous pension and holiday scheme. We also offer a range of other benefits, including ongoing development opportunities.

The Faculty of Health holds a Silver Athena Swan Award and the University holds a Bronze Athena SWAN Award which recognises commitment to advancing women’s careers in STEMM academia.

Staff appointed within the Faculty of Health may be able to join the NHS pension scheme subject to eligibility criteria.

The University of Plymouth has a strong interdisciplinary research ethos which is supported by our three strategic Research Institutes; the Marine Institute, the Sustainable Earth Institute, and the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research. As a member of our academic community, you’ll be expected to contribute to our recognised research strengths. Working holistically across the University, you will be challenged to innovate, collaborate and deliver impactful research contributions as part of a systems thinking approach to addressing today’s global challenges.

The University of Plymouth is a diverse, welcoming community where everyone makes a difference and is encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. To find out more about our inclusive community, initiatives such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter and our range of benefits / support mechanisms such as flexible working, staff networks and enhanced maternity, paternity & adoption leave please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages

We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups such as BAME/BIPOC and LGBT+.

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