Co-ACTION Research Assistant

University of Plymouth; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A renowned institution seeks a part-time Research Assistant to join the Community and Primary Care Research Group. This role involves conducting health-related research, working on the CO-ACTION program to support people with multiple long-term conditions, and requires excellent communication and organization skills. The position allows for flexibility with remote work and requires occasional on-site presence. Generous annual leave and a supportive working environment are offered.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Development opportunities

Enhanced family leave

Flexible working

Retailer discounts

On-site nursery

Qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of personalised assessment.
• Experience with mixed methods research.
• Familiarity with realist approaches in clinical practice.

Responsibilities

• Organise workload and plan research activities to high standards.
• Travel across Plymouth to collect data.
• Conduct stakeholder events and work to deadlines.

Skills

Health-related research

Data collection

Stakeholder engagement

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Relevant first degree in social sciences

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant to join the Community and Primary Care Research Group (CPCRG) within the Faculty of Health. The CPCRG is intensively research active and has a strong proven track record of Health Services Research. Our research is conducted through the involvement of practitioners and the public, who are instrumental in helping to develop focused research questions and in designing projects.

About the role

You will work on CO-ACTION – a NIHR funded programme of work developing and evaluating a model of personalised support to help people with multiple long‑term conditions live better lives in the community.

CO‑ACTION

In this programme of work, we will enhance health and well‑being of people living with multiple long‑term conditions (MLTC‑M) by adopting a bio‑psychosocial approach focussed on supporting social and self‑management. We will design, evaluate, and implement a personalised multisectoral intervention called CO‑ACTION employing a variety of mix methods and approaches. The work will focus on commonly experienced problems associated with MLTC‑M, moving away from a narrow condition specific focus. The University of Southampton is the lead site for this project. The University of Plymouth is a partner site.

Responsibilities

• Possess a relevant first degree in a social sciences field
• Have knowledge and experience of health‑related research, including data collection, analysis and stakeholder engagement
• Need to demonstrate an ability to organise their own workload, plan research activities to a high standard and work to deadlines
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Knowledge and understanding of personalised assessment; mixed methods research; realist approaches, and trial or implementation of initiatives in clinical practice, would be an advantage. You will be required to travel across Plymouth to collect data and conduct stakeholder events.

For this role, you will need to be on site 1 day a week. Although we can accommodate working from home for this role, flexibility to be on‑site will be expected due to business needs.

Due to the nature of this role, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check plus an Adult’s Barred List check will be required.

For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role please contact Dr Hannah Wheat by email [e-mail].

This is a part‑time position working up to 22.2 hours per week on a fixed‑term basis until 28 February 2029 due to funding. There may be some flexibility with contracted hours.

You must be prepared to travel for data collection purposes and have access to your own vehicle.

Application Process

Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.

Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.

Anticipated Interview Date: Friday 12 December 2025

Our Offer

When joining us, you will receive:

• Generous annual leave: 25* Days Annual Leave (pro rata if part‑time) plus Bank Holidays* & Closure Days*
• Generous pension scheme
• Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave
• Flexible working
• Retailer discounts
• On‑site nursery

*Pro rata if part‑time/fixed term contract

Additional Information

The University of Plymouth is an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed regardless of their background. To find out more about our inclusive community initiatives, such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter.