Research Associate in Pain Management in MND in Sheffield

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, a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

We are seeking an outstanding early-career researcher to lead a 36-month, innovative mixed-methods project, titled: “A mixed-methods approach to optimise pain assessment and management in motor neuron disease (MND): Developing a UK clinical practice framework”. Funded by the MND Association, this project addresses the urgent need for evidence-based, standardised approaches to pain assessment with direct clinical application in the management of MND. You will join Dr Haris Stavroulakis, a Principal Investigator within the Better Outcomes for MND Research group at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN). This group is a world-leader in translating research into clinical practice.

You will collaborate with a high-calibre interdisciplinary team including experts in qualitative methodology, patient reported outcomes, palliative medicine, and telehealth and inclusive research design. We will employ a mixed-methods approach to:

• map current UK clinical practice and identify gaps in pain assessment and management across MND care centres;
• elicit stakeholder experiences and preferences regarding pain management to ensure the framework is patient-centred and inclusive of those with complex communication needs;
• critically appraise assessment tools/questionnaires to identify the most effective instruments for identifying and monitoring pain in MND;
• quantify real-world pain prevalence and treatment burden through a prospective longitudinal cohort study utilising telehealth infrastructures;
• develop and reach consensus on a UK clinical practice framework that provides clear pathways for clinicians to assess and manage pain effectively.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Project management: leading the delivery of the research, ensuring milestones are achieved across all phases of the study.
• Protocol development and governance: writing study protocols and supporting documentation; leading submissions for ethical (IRAS/HRA), governance, and regulatory approvals in accordance with Good Clinical Practice.
• Clinical practice mapping: designing and deploying national surveys to healthcare professionals and MND centres to evaluate current UK pain management landscapes.
• Qualitative research: conducting semi-structured interviews and focus groups with patients, informal caregivers, and professionals, ensuring the inclusion of participants with complex communication needs.
• Outcome measure appraisal: supporting the systematic appraisal of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) using the COSMIN framework.
• Longitudinal cohort study: coordinating a prospective study to quantify pain prevalence and treatment burden, utilising telehealth infrastructures for recruitment and data collection.
• Data analysis: collecting and analysing complex mixed-methods data, integrating qualitative themes with quantitative findings to inform the clinical framework.
• Framework development: leading the synthesis of findings and facilitating consensus to develop a UK clinical practice framework.
• Recruitment, consent and PPIE: leading participant recruitment and informed consent procedures, maintaining high ethical standards and participant retention, including organising and conducting PPIE activities to support the meaningful involvement of people affected by MND.
• Dissemination: leading the drafting of high-quality manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication and presenting research findings at national and international conferences.
• Team Collaboration: actively participating in the Better Outcomes for MND Research group, attending regular research meetings, and contributing to a stimulating multidisciplinary environment.
• Scholarship and professional development: keeping abreast of academic developments and identifying future research questions; lead on (or contribute to) funding applications to support future projects.
• Travel: willing to travel within the UK for data collection and meetings where these cannot be conducted online.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

We recognise diverse backgrounds and encourage applications from all. Reference the application criteria in your application statement.

Essential And Desirable Criteria

• PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g., Neuroscience, Health Services Research) or equivalent professional healthcare experience.
• Proven experience in the design, conduct, and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative research.
• Experience in conducting systematic reviews or evidence syntheses.
• Proven experience in recruiting and consenting participants (patients, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals).
• Experience with Motor Neuron Disease or other life-limiting neurological conditions.
• Experience in coordinating prospective clinical studies, managing longitudinal data collection, and maintaining participant retention.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills for engaging sensitively with patients, families, and healthcare staff.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications and presenting findings to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work effectively within a high-level multidisciplinary team while driving project goals.

Further Information

• Grade: G7
• Salary: £38,784
• Work arrangement: Full-time / On-site
• Duration: 01/04/2026 to 31/03/2029
• Line manager: Senior Lecturer
• Direct reports: Not applicable

For informal enquiries about this job contact the Staffing Team at smph-west-staffing@sheffield.ac.uk. Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria, you will be invited to participate in the next stage of the selection process. A DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website. Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment. We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.