Research Assistant (Wellcome) in Sheffield

The Division of Population Health is looking to appoint a full‑time Research Assistant for the Wellcome‑funded project A novel interdisciplinary approach to understanding how contextual factors influence alcohol consumption. This project will develop a cutting‑edge computer model that links moment‑to‑moment, context‑sensitive, alcohol‑related decisions to population‑level consumption patterns and assess the impact of novel alcohol policies.

The role involves supporting the project and playing a central part in a longitudinal study collecting real‑time behavioural data via smartphones, including participant recruitment via Prolific, day‑to‑day study operations, monitoring adherence and retention, preparing large complex datasets, and contributing to governance, analysis, dissemination, and stakeholder workshops.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Design surveys in Qualtrics and integrate them with smartphone‑based cognitive tasks in the Drink Less app to enable real‑time self‑report and behavioural data collection.
• Contribute to the design of a longitudinal study using repeated‑measurement approaches (e.g., ecological momentary assessment) and lead participant recruitment via Prolific.
• Manage day‑to‑day study activities over a 12‑month period, including monitoring participant adherence and retention.
• Assist with the preparation of secondary data for analysis (e.g., Health Survey for England, Understanding Society, and market research data) including cleaning large and complex datasets, selecting variables, and merging multiple data sources.
• Analyse data using advanced statistical techniques and reproducible workflows in open‑source programming languages (e.g., R, Python).
• Assist with the organisation and delivery of a research workshop with diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and people with lived experience of alcohol harm.
• Disseminate research findings through contributions to peer‑reviewed journal publications (aligned with open research practices such as preregistration, preprints, and data sharing) and presentations at national addiction conferences.
• Contribute to research governance and compliance with ethical approval processes and GDPR and data protection requirements, under the supervision of the line manager.
• Attend weekly catch‑up meetings with the line manager.
• Participate in the Sheffield Addictions Research Group's team meetings, training seminars, and journal clubs.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification:

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn’t match perfectly with this role’s criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential:

• Hold a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., psychology, behavioural or data science, public health, or health economics), with evidence of an excellent academic track record.
• Experience recruiting participants using online research platforms (e.g., Prolific) and designing and administering surveys using Qualtrics.
• Experience designing and running studies using intensive or repeated‑measurement methods (e.g., ecological momentary assessment).
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written formats and to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently and part of a team, manage deadlines, and maintain excellent organisational standards.
• Proficiency in open‑source programming languages, such as R or Python, for data preparation and analysis.

Desirable:

• Experience working with large secondary datasets (e.g., data cleaning and merging).
• Knowledge of open research practices and willingness to engage with them (e.g., preregistration, preprints, data sharing).
• Experience with computer or smartphone‑based cognitive tasks administered online (e.g., PsychoPy tasks hosted on Pavlovia).
• An interest in alcohol research and familiarity with smartphone applications designed to support behaviour change (e.g., Drink Less).
• Knowledge of and experience with research governance, ethical approval processes, and data protection regulations (including GDPR) in alcohol research.
• Experience in engaging with alcohol or public health stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners, or people with lived experience.

Further Information:

Grade 6 (max .3). Salary £32,080 – £33,951. Full time. Duration: 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2028. Line manager: Dr Amber Copeland, Wellcome Research Fellow.

What we offer:

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro‑rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (e.g., Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
• A range of generous family‑friendly policies: Paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies. Access to menopause support in the workplace. Paid time off and support for fertility treatment. And more.

Equality and Diversity:

We are a Disability Confident Leader. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process. Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right.