Research Associate

at  Kings College London

Job id: 093926. Salary: £46,732 per annum including London Weighting Allowance.
Posted: 07 August 2024. Closing date: 28 August 2024.
Business unit: Social Science & Public Policy. Department: Policy Institute at King’s.
Contact details: Dr Monica Leverton. Monica.leverton@kcl.ac.uk
Location: Strand Campus. Category: Research.
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About us
The study is located in the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health & Social Care Workforce (HSCWRU) at King’s College London, that exists to develop research knowledge in the health and social care workforce field and to
disseminate findings to policymakers, service providers, employers and patient, service user and carer groups. HSCWRU’s Director is Professor Annette Boaz. We have an active programme of Patient & Public, Service User and Carer Involvement and Engagement and conduct a wide range of studies.
HSCWRU is part of the Policy Institute within the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy. Our offices are in the Virginia Woolf Building. The Policy Institute is engaged in the translation of academic research at King’s College for the benefit of society.
About the role
The Research Associate (RA) will work part-time for 2.5 days per week (50%fte) on a study funded by the NIHR School for Social Care Research, with an opportunity to directly influence health and social care practice. The study’s focus is on developing and evaluating web-based guidance and resources on continence care, for people living with dementia, and for paid homecare staff who support people living with dementia in their own home.
The post holder will be responsible for setting up the study (i.e. obtaining ethical approval) and conducting data review, collection, and evaluation. They will conduct the following tasks: independently undertake a rapid review and narrative synthesis of relevant literature; recruit for and conduct semi-structured qualitative interviews with people living with dementia; undertake qualitative data analysis; facilitate online stakeholder workshops; conduct qualitative evaluation of a web-based resource with people living with dementia; support the development of multimedia resources.
They will be supported by colleagues across King’s College London and the University of Southampton (this study is led by Professor Cathy Murphy and Dr Barbara Bradbury at the University of Southampton) .
This is a part time post (17.5 Hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 30/09/26. There may be opportunity to increase this to a higher % fte or full time post on other projects within HSCWRU (but this is dependent on funding arrangements and cannot be guaranteed).
Expertise, knowledge, and experience of the health and social care sector, or dementia care services more broadly, are necessary, and qualitative research experience is essential. Enthusiasm in developing a career in health and social care research will be beneficial and we are a supportive team that can assist with developing future grants and taking ideas forward.
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service clearance and Occupational Health Clearance.
About you
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of social care and/or dementia policy, research and analysis.
• Must have qualitative research experience, including skills to undertake rapid reviews, evidence synthesis, qualitative interviews and data analysis.
• Ability to use initiative and work independently, with support from the wider team, and willingness to travel, if necessary, for interviews, conferences, and so on.
• Experience of contributing to formal processes of study development, such as writing the protocol, developing interview materials, applying for ethical approval (or amendments)
• and writing up reports.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, demonstrating range of outputs (such as informal and formal briefings, slide presentations, journal articles).
• Experience working with a range of health and/or social care stakeholders, including ability to engage and involve staff, service users, and the public in research.

Desirable criteria

• A PhD in health and/or social care, dementia, or other related area (or near completion/equivalent experience will be considered).
• Experience of working in social care and /or dementia research, policy, or practice.
• Knowledge of community-based care, including domiciliary homecare.
• Experience in dementia care research, palliative care research, or on topics of a similarly sensitive nature.
• Masters or professional qualification in relevant subject.
• Ability to undertake rapid reviews and evidence synthesis.

Downloading a copy of our Job Description
Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “

Please refer the Job description for details