Research Associate (Gowen Autism study) | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

The aim of this project is to provide evidence for the need and acceptability of routine sensory motor assessments and treatment for autistic adults without Learning Disabilities and to identify and map appropriate intervention pathways.

The Research Associate (RA) will join a multidisciplinary team who have experience in autism research, Occupational Therapy, Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), delivery of complex interventions and economic evaluation. They will be responsible for monitoring participant recruitment, communicating with the OTs, research team and participants, and collating the assessment reports and questionnaires into spreadsheets.

The RA will perform quantitative and qualitative analysis (i.e. framework analysis) on the data and work with the Chief Investigator to develop, run and contribute to the workshops and survey. They will help design the toolkit and be involved in disseminating study findings through publications, presentations, PPI and clinical material.

Specific skills that would be desirable for the project are:

• Experience of working with autistic adults and/or experience conducting research with autistic adults
• Experience of co‑producing research with autistic people
• Experience of sensory motor research
• Knowledge of the brain and cognitive underpinnings of sensory and motor difficulties in the autistic population

In phase 1 of the study, autistic adults will be recruited from two diagnostic clinics in the Northwest. Participants will be offered a SMD assessment by an Occupational Therapist and will receive a report detailing findings including any support recommendations. All participants will be asked to return for a follow up visit to collect proof of concept and feasibility data on the assessment and report using a survey and open‑ended questions. This data will allow us to understand the need for assessment and intervention and obtain acceptability and feasibility data to design future studies.

In phase 2, a toolkit containing guidance on appropriate SMD assessments and intervention options will be developed through workshops and a survey involving research team members and stakeholders. The project is funded by an NIHR Research for Patient Benefit grant.

To cover Maternity leave for six months in the first instance.

Research Grants Writing

• To assist with writing of funding applications for research
• To conduct and write systematic reviews and/or meta‑analyses for publication and to inform future research and grant applications
• To contribute to the development/design of qualitative and quantitative studies with the members of the team
• To assist with the running of any pilot trials or research studies conducted within the team
• To liaise with relevant funding bodies, research support network (e.g. NIHR Research Design Service) and R&I departments of partner organisations
• To assist with the running of any focus groups or consultation groups with service users and/or other stakeholders to inform research
• To assist in servicing meetings, including production of agendas, writing of minutes and reports and taking follow‑up action as required
• To support the Lead and team members on other relevant research/administrative activities as required

Research Management

• To populate, maintain and manage relevant and accurate databases on a daily basis, ensuring they represent a comprehensive and accurate record of the ongoing research
• To work effectively under time‑pressure in order to meet tight deadlines and project milestones
• To retrieve complex data from relevant quantitative databases and analyse research outcomes to produce summary reports on research activity for a variety of purposes

Communication and Networking

• To regularly liaise with the study collaborators and other stakeholders to identify and recruit eligible study participants
• To assist with the promotion of the research to stakeholders
• To contribute towards and write papers about the research in high profile reports and publications
• To help present information on research progress and outcomes to management groups
• To assist with the presentation of research findings at internal and external meetings, and conferences nationally and internationally
• To liaise with research colleagues and support administrative staff on routine matters

Research and Administrative Activities to Support Funding Bids

• To implement research policies / standard operating procedures for their own work area and to be able to propose improvements to research policies/procedures where relevant
• To assume responsibility for the safe and secure use of research equipment including digital recorders and computers where relevant
• To provide advice or demonstrate own research activities or workplace routines to new research staff or temporary researchers working on the project
• To contribute to the production of accurate information and timely submission of the Progress Reports to the relevant bodies (e.g. funders, the Trust)
• To organise their own day‑to‑day tasks and activities; the post holder must be able to take significant responsibility for planning and implementation of specific elements of the research activities conducted by the Unit
• To have a reliable method of transporting themselves independently to the Unit’s site and willing to travel to meetings with other team members and relevant stakeholders in the North West area
• To be aware of national developments, attend national events and undertake any necessary and relevant training to keep up to date with research developments and related issues as required
• Comply with data management and quality assurance according to regulatory guidelines (ICH GCD and Data Protection Act 1998)
• Comply with departmental policies concerning security, safety and patient confidentiality and to ensure that procedures are carried out with safe systems of work and current legislation
• The post holder may be required to carry out other related tasks that may not be specifically mentioned above
• The job description may be reviewed and amended at a later date. Changes will be made in consultation with the post holder and the Lead

Staff Benefits

Pay Enhancements - 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays.