Research Associate (MND Together)

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

We are seeking two outstanding researchers wishing to join Dr Liam Knox and Professor Christopher McDermott at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) on an exciting research project aiming to co-develop an intervention to improve care coordination for people with motor neuron disease. The post provides an excellent opportunity to undertake high quality research within a stimulating multi-disciplinary context working directly with a team of healthcare professionals and researchers from the University of Sheffield, Liverpool John Moores University and multiple NHS trusts.

The Aims Of The MND Together Project Are To:

• Understand the barriers and facilitators to care coordination
• Co-develop ‘MND Together’ to increase communication and coordination between specialist and community health and care professionals
• Conduct early evaluation of the MND Together intervention with a real-world context

You will have the opportunity to support the design, set-up and conduct of a health services research project, primarily using qualitative methodology. This will include writing protocols and other supporting documents; assist with ethical submissions; lead consenting, data collection and analysis; and research findings dissemination.

You should have a PhD in a relevant discipline (or equivalent experience). Previous experience conducting research with people with a long-term condition and excellent project management skills are essential for this role.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Work in close collaboration with the senior investigators to manage the day-to-day delivery of the MND Together study.
• Support the design, data collection, analysis and dissemination of various projects. These may include focus groups, interviews, and analysis of routinely collected data from people with MND, their informal carers, and healthcare professionals.
• Conduct patient and public involvement activities, liaising with people with experience of living with MND
• Write documents contributing to and supporting the work of the project, e.g., protocols, ethics applications, SOPs, interim reports and dissemination activities.
• Plan research activities and review progress on a regular basis in collaboration with other members of the team.
• Work with collaborators within the University of Sheffield, Liverpool John Moores University, NHS trusts, and beyond.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks to keep abreast of developments and use this information to brief colleagues and inform the work of the project.
• Travel to other areas of the UK to conduct field research, where necessary on an occasional basis. Travel arrangements will be flexible.
• To always maintain patient confidentiality.
• To ensure that the views of consumers are effectively sought, channelled, and acted upon, including the efficient actioning of the complaints procedure in accordance with the Trust policy in conjunction with the supervising consultant neurologist.
• You will make a full and active contribution to the principles of the ‘Sheffield Academic’. These include the achievement of excellence in applied teaching and research, and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University’s achievements as a whole.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• 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.

Criteria

Essential Or Desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

PhD in relevant discipline such as, psychology, sociology, neuroscience, health services research

Essential

Application

Experience in the design, conduct, and analysis of qualitative focus groups

Essential

Interview

Previous research or work experience with people and/or carers with long-term conditions and healthcare professionals

Essential

Interview

Demonstrate effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills, experience of delivering presentations and communicating to staff at different levels of seniority

Essential

Application

Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively with patients, members of the general public and non-academic audiences

Essential

Interview

A positive attitude to collaborative research and experience of working effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Essential

Application

Ability to engage with collaborators and secure delivery of action from them

Essential

Application

Knowledge of ethical research frameworks and good clinical practice (GCP) and GDPR

Essential

Application

Experience in the design, conduct, and analysis of routinely collected data

Desirable

Interview

Willingness to travel to multiple sites across the UK on an occasional basis

Desirable

Interview

Grade

7

Salary

£38,249 to £40,497

Work arrangement

Full time

Duration

18 and 34 months with a start date of 1st September 2025.

Line manager

MND Together Principal Investigator

Direct reports

None

Our website

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/sitran

For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Liam Knox, Research Fellow and Principal Investigator: on L.knox@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 2291

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place two weeks after the advert closes. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage one week after the advert closes. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact rebecca.brown@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

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 (for example, 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
• support for those going through the menopause
• paid time off and support for fertility treatment
• and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. 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.

Criminal record

A DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

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. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

Closing Date : 27/07/2025

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone. #J-18808-Ljbffr