Research Assistant

Post Title: Research Assistant

SBU/Department: School of Health and Social Work; Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care (CRIPACC)

FTE: 0.6 fte (22.2 hours p/w)

Duration of Contract: Fixed-term (24 months) from 01 March 2024 – 28 February 2026

Salary: UH5 £27,181pa with potential to progress to £30,487pa pro rata by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience

Annual Leave: 35 days pro rata plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: College Lane Campus, Hatfield, University of Hertfordshire

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced candidate to support a national study and further develop their skills in health research, public involvement, and clinical trials.

The Research Assistant will work on a nationally funded feasibility trial evaluating a faith based culturally adapted intervention for young Muslim women in East London and Birmingham. The trial will be led by the University of Hertfordshire with an experienced multidisciplinary team of researchers and practitioners, from collaborating institutions, public health specialists, charities, community organisations, and the NHS.

The Research Assistant will work within CRIPACC in collaboration with the Centre for Health Services and Clinical Research (CHSCR) and the Clinical Trials Support Network (CTSN) with a strong track record of delivering externally funded randomised trials. The two centres provide an ideal opportunity for CPD and career progression within a collaborative academic research environment and with expanding and internationally recognised research centres.

The Department (CRIPACC)/University is leading on the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration, East of England. This is a collaboration between Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, and the Universities of Cambridge, East Anglia, Hertfordshire and Essex along with other NHS Trusts, Local Authorities, Regional Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STPs), patient-led organisations, charities, and industry partners across the region.

Main duties and responsibilities

The Research Assistant will provide research support to the specific research project outlined above. Supporting the Clinical Trial Manager (CTM), working proactively to ensure that study milestones and deliverables are achieved according to agreed quality standards and timelines. The appointee will be involved in all aspects of the research project from setting up to delivery; contributing to project documentation, meetings, involvement of young people, data collection and analysis and dissemination.

You will work in collaboration with the CTSN, CHSCR, the Universities of East Anglia, Leeds, Birmingham City University, British Islamic Medical Association, Inspirited Minds Muslim and C3 Collaborating for Health Charities, community organisations and public health specialists.

Skills and experience required

Candidates must have demonstrable research experience at undergraduate level and experience of providing project support. We are looking for someone with experience of working with young people, ethnic minorities, and religious minority groups particularly Muslim communities. You will ideally have some experience of qualitative health research, looking to develop your experience of conducting trials. The focus of the post is on delivering high quality research in real-world settings, where further development of experience and skills will be encouraged and supported by the project team and principal investigator. Candidates are expected to be well organised and capable of using their own initiative and be able to work to tight deadlines.  The successful applicant must be prepared to travel to the University when required and to travel as necessary to undertake their research responsibilities.

Qualifications required

Minimum of undergraduate degree (or equivalent qualification) in relevant area (e.g. Psychology, Health Sciences, Sociology, Public Health). A postgraduate qualification would be desirable.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria.Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

Disclosure and Barring Service

Our commitment to the University’s Safeguarding Policy requires that the recruitment of staff in this area, will require the minimum of a Basic DBS Check. In the course of our work and University-led activities, there may be external contractual obligations where a further Enhanced Check is required. DBS checks may require renewal in line with policy.

Overseas applicants and UK applicants who have lived abroad

Successful applicants who have lived outside the UK, for 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total), in the last 10 years, will be required to produce a ‘Certificate of Good Character/Conduct’ from each of those countries.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Professor Daksha Trivedi, [email protected]

Closing Date: 15 February 2024

Interview Date: TBC

Reference Number: 056475

Date advert placed: 24 January 2024

Our vision is to transform lives: UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts