Research Assistant/Research Fellow - Enhanced Reconnect Evaluation

Based in the Faculty of Health, the Peninsula Medical School aims to attract highly motivated and talented students to become the next generation of future-ready doctors, physician associates and radiographers, who are well prepared for a 21st Century career. The School’s innovative approach to education is underpinned by research and staff who are committed to scholarship that includes undertaking curriculum development and design activities.

The School takes pride in supporting the needs of the local region and recognises that providing excellent educational and personal development experiences, as well as world class research, requires true partnerships with key stakeholders from across the region and beyond. Our research – underpinned by significant grant capture – is translational, generates impact and serves our Peninsula population as well as having global impact.

A key strength is a close relationship with NHS partners, with early clinical contact for all students. The South West offers healthcare and learning opportunities of exceptional quality; University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust at Derriford is one of Europe’s largest hospitals and the only trauma centre in Devon and Cornwall.

Clinical research pathways within the School provide a research culture and environment that values talent and supports endeavour and innovation.

The School is strongly committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and holds an Athena Swan Silver Award recognising commitment to maintaining a culture of participation and inclusivity across all activities. The School is also signed up to the BMA Racial Harassment Charter which offers guidance and best practice to address the unacceptable barriers faced by BAME students as they negotiate their different learning environments.

This is an exciting opportunity for a researcher to join the Community and Primary Care Research group within the Faculty of Health.  We are seeking a motivated and capable individual with excellent interpersonal skills to work on the NIHR Policy Research Programme funded Enhanced Reconnect Evaluation project. The aim of the project is to evaluate the Enhanced Reconnect pilot to help understand how it works and whether it is likely to be helpful.

Primary responsibilities will include:

• conducting interviews and virtual workshops with clinicians delivering the service as well as those involved in planning, to understand who is delivering the service and how people think it should be having its effect;
• observation and qualitative interviews and analysis to understand how the team members work together and with other services;
• quantitative analysis of data sets to understand access and pathways of care;
• creation of case studies describing how individuals are supported and respond to the services – from interviews, observation, records;
• Contributing to and/or leading on reports, journal articles and other dissemination;
• working with a second researcher based in Northumbria and applicant team including gaining support and additional supervision from Dr Wendy Dyer, as Co-CI.

Applicants will possess a relevant first degree in a social sciences or related field. You will have excellent knowledge of health or care related research, skills in qualitative research methods (interviewing and analysis) and engagement, organisational and project management skills.

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

This role will require an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check plus a Adult's Barred List check.

There is an essential requirement within this role that you will be required to travel to and work at different University sites and/or other business locations that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Please refer to the job description for further information.

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.

Interviews are likely to take place on Wednesday 20th March 2024 and you will be notified if you have been shortlisted or not.

This is a part-time position working up to 29.6 hours per week on a fixed-term basis until 30th September 2025 due to funding.

Flexible working options including job share will be considered.

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. A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed here .

The Faculty of Health holds two Silver and two Bronze Athena Swan Awards, which recognises commitment to supporting gender equality within higher education.

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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