Research Associate

at  University of York

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCES

We wish to recruit a Research Associate to work across a range of studies within the Paediatric Palliative Care Research Group, at the Department of Health Sciences, University of York. One of the studies you will contribute to, called “End-of-Life Care for Infants, Children and Young People (ENHANCE): A mixed methods evaluation of current practice in the United Kingdom” is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research through its Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme. This is a four-year programme of work consisting of 3 workstreams. Another study you will contribute to, called “What are the numbers and needs of children and young people in the UK with a disability and mobility difficulties?”, is funded by Motability.
With support from the Study Manager, Workstream lead, and the wider team, you will employ semi-structured interviews with parents, children and young people; work collaboratively in data analysis; and actively participate in dissemination.
The University of York offers flexible working patterns and a number of family friendly initiatives. As a Department we are proud to foster a supportive culture that helps staff and students contribute fully, flourish and excel, to reach their full potential. We embrace equality, diversity and inclusion as well as the values of the Athena SWAN Charter in all our Departmental activities
The post is available for 12 months, with potential to extend dependent on availability of external funding.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATION NEEDED

• A degree in relevant scientific or health-related discipline.
• PhD or equivalent experience.
• Experience in conducting qualitative research, particularly semi-structured interviews.
• Knowledge of paediatric palliative care research and/or medical complexity.
• Knowledge of managing and liaising with NHS and hospice sites.
• Knowledge of life-threatening or life-limiting conditions is desirable
• Highly developed communication skills to engage effectively with a wide-ranging audience, both orally and in writing, using a range of media.
• Empathy and sensitivity in engaging with participants to ensure their comfort and willingness to share their experiences.
• Ability to write up research work for publication in high profile journals and engage in public dissemination.
• Competency to make presentations at conferences.
• Ability to work as part of a team and to work independently using own initiative.
• Experience of carrying out both independent and collaborative research.
  Interview date: To be confirmed
  For informal enquiries: please contact Dr Julia Hackett, the Department of Health Sciences, on julia.hackett@york.ac.uk

The main purpose of the role is to conduct research under the supervision of senior colleagues and contribute to the production of research.

Duties:

• To liaise with NHS and hospice sites to support research.
• To undertake organisational and administrative activities connected to the research study.
• To prioritise and plan your own workload.
• To coordinate and liaise with other members of the research team to ensure the smooth running of the study.
• To be flexible and responsive, whilst maintaining a confident approach to changing circumstances, being aware some of the research areas will include bereaved parents.