Preterm Research Assistant | Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in London is seeking a Research Assistant for a project on preterm birth. The successful candidate will support data collection and analysis, focusing on health inequalities in maternal and neonatal outcomes. Responsibilities include managing project tasks, conducting literature reviews, and contributing to research publications. The position offers a unique opportunity to engage with diverse communities and improve equitable access to care.

Qualifications

• Experience or knowledge in maternal and neonatal data management.
• Ability to conduct literature reviews and analyze qualitative data.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist with baseline data collection and analysis.
• Support project organization and manage workload.
• Contribute to research reports and publications.

Skills

Basic clinical knowledge

Data collection

Data cleaning skills

Job description

Preterm Birth Research Project - Research Assistant

Preterm birth remains the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity in the UK. Evidence shows that women and babies from ethnic minorities, adolescent mothers, and women of low socio-demographic status are more likely to experience poor outcomes. This project aims to explore barriers to accessing care and co-design a patient empowerment and staff education program to improve equitable access and trust in hospital care for women presenting with symptoms of preterm labour, thereby enhancing clinical management.

We plan to analyze data within the GSTT hospital trust to understand the management of preterm birth and associated perinatal outcomes, with a focus on health inequalities. Patient and public involvement, especially from marginalized communities including Black African, Caribbean, South Asian communities, and socioeconomically deprived groups, will be central to understanding the reasons behind poor outcomes in preterm birth. Our goal is to identify populations most at risk, the gaps in optimal preterm care across different ethnic and sociodemographic groups, and to explore barriers and facilitators to receiving quality hospital care—focusing on access, trust, and knowledge.

This is a 0.80 WTE post for 3 months. The successful candidate will work with obstetricians, midwives, and neonatal doctors at St Thomas’ hospital. Responsibilities include assisting with baseline data collection and analysis, which involves collecting retrospective maternal and neonatal data over five years and stratifying by demographic background. Basic clinical knowledge, data collection, and data cleaning skills are required; support for data analysis will be provided. The role may also involve conducting literature reviews, drafting reports, and assisting with qualitative interviews with staff and the public, including analysis.

Our trust, the only NHS Trust in London offering integrated women’s and children’s services on one site, provides high-quality, comprehensive care for mothers, babies, and children. We serve South East London and deliver specialized services nationally and internationally. Our clinical services are closely linked with King’s College London, supporting a robust research and development program.

Key Responsibilities

1. Supporting the PRELUDE team with project organization
2. Leading prospective data collection from hospital records on maternal and neonatal outcomes
3. Developing data collection tools, questionnaires, and interview guides
4. Conducting literature reviews and database searches
5. Providing administrative support, including organizing meetings, capturing minutes, and maintaining logs
6. Contributing to research reports and publications
7. Managing workload to ensure timely project delivery

This advert closes on Sunday, 13 July 2025.