Research Assistant

UK Health Security Agency; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health protection agency in Gloucester is seeking a Research Assistant to support antimicrobial stewardship projects. The role involves conducting research, managing data, and developing educational resources in collaboration with various stakeholders. The successful candidate will focus on enhancing infection management in primary care settings and will enjoy a hybrid working environment. Applicants should hold an MSc or equivalent experience in relevant scientific fields, along with proficiency in research methodologies and data analysis.

Benefits

Generous Defined Benefit pension scheme

Cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme

Flexible working patterns

Qualifications

• Educated to MSc degree level or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work in teams and independently.
• Skills for manipulating information.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research for infection prevention and antimicrobial use.
• Develop research protocols and manage project timelines.
• Collect and analyze data using quantitative and qualitative methods.

Skills

Research and IT skills

Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies

Presentation skills

Data analysis

Teamwork

Education

MSc degree level in microbiological sciences or public health

Tools

Statistical software (Stata, R, SPSS)

Excel

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant to join the PCIU to support research, and educational projects within the TARGET workstreams. The post holder will be geographically based in Gloucester, although will be able to work from home part of the week. The successful applicant will enjoy a varied role, that will focus on the development and implementation of resources and training packages to improve antimicrobial stewardship in primary care settings. Advert This post is within the Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection Division of UKHSA. The mission of the division is to protect people from healthcare-associated and antimicrobial resistant infections, through world-leading public health microbiology, outbreak response, surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, modelling, research and interventions.

Responsibilities

• To conduct and assist with the research undertaken in PCIU, covering infection prevention, antimicrobial use and intervention development and evaluation.
• To develop protocols for research and development activities and communicate with research team as necessary to plan timelines for delivery e.g. by updating a project timeline or GANTT chart for the lifetime of the project.
• To implement and utilise a range of quantitative research methods/statistical analyses/techniques in support of all activities associated with research projects aiming to ensure project targets are met.
• To implement and utilise a range of qualitative research methods and analysis techniques to undertake and analyse interviews and focus groups.
• To apply behavioural science to the development of data collection tools, analysis and implications of research findings, including the development of interventions.
• To correspond with ethics committees and submit ethics applications and local approvals.
• To undertake needs assessments to inform the development of diagnostic or educational tools.
• To assist or conduct data collection such as surveys, interviews and focus groups (face to face and telephone) in line with Caldicott guidelines and GDPR.
• To conduct literature reviews of electronic databases and grey literature.
• To create, manage and manipulate databases (Access/Excel/Endnote/Epidata) including data input; cleaning, coding validation and verification of data sets; and supplying appropriate raw data sets to statisticians.
• To provide reports through descriptive analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets.
• To disseminate research through exhibiting/presenting at conferences, events and workshops; preparing and publishing papers in peer-reviewed journals.
• To assist with the updating, reviewing and administration of resources/tools and websites.
• To organise meetings, participate, take minutes and follow up as delegated.
• To undertake work in accordance with UKHSA's Health and Safety policies and procedures and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.

Professional Development

• To identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan.
• Attending internal / external training events.
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

It should be noted that the work of the division is of a sensitive nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes. The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.

Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Competency framework. At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the job advert. You will be required to complete an:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• Up to 1,000 number of words supporting statement (Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 word count)

Longlisting In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

We will take the 'Meets all essential criteria' pile through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting If we receive a large number of applications an initial sift against the essential criteria of:

• Research and IT skills, specifically in relation to qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies, including conducting focus groups, interview techniques, developing questionnaires and data analysis

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview Stage

• Knowledge
• Experience
• Skills and Abilities

You will be asked to prepare and present a 5‑minute presentation at the start of your interview. The subject of this will be based on:

• Analysis of data from feedback given from a webinar, business needs allow.

This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) working at Twyver House.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

• Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)
• Enhanced DBS

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Link below: Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers

Non‑Reserved post

This is a Non‑Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules. To be eligible for employment in the UK Civil Service applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) which operate independently of and additionally to the Immigration Rules. Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre‑employment checks.

Eligibility and Qualifications

• Educated to MSc degree level or degree standard in microbiological sciences, public health and/or research or equivalent relevant experience at a similar level.
• Degree standard level in microbiological sciences, public health and/or research or equivalent experience at a similar level.
• Be required to undertake higher level/advanced training in research methodologies and/or project management e.g. a professional doctorate.
• Professional/research experience in the field of public health, education, nursing, microbiology, pharmaceuticals, clinical research or related area.
• Research and IT skills, specifically in relation to qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies, including conducting focus groups, interview techniques, developing questionnaires and data analysis.
• Self‑motivated with meticulous time management skills with the ability to re‑prioritise.
• Demonstrated ability to work in teams and independently.
• Presentation skills.
• Skills for managing aspects of projects ensuring they meet financial targets.
• Skills for manipulating information.
• Advanced keyboard skills, use of a range of software.
• Previous experience in, or knowledge of, health interventions underpinned by behavioural science.
• Previous experience in project delivery.
• Good understanding of skills and experience in safe working practices.

Key Hard and Soft Skills

• Evidence of qualitative / quantitative analytical skills.
• Knowledge of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, etc. database searching.
• Experience in developing standard operating procedures and protocols.
• Experience in facilitating workshops, meetings and training sessions for staff and independent contractors.
• Experience in managing an Excel database and use of statistical software (Stata, R, SPSS, or OCS).
• Experience in communicating complex findings to stakeholders.

Benefits

• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Access to a cycle‑to‑work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
• Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
• Flexible working patterns (part‑time, job‑share, condensed hours).
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave package.

Hybrid Working

UKHSA operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce.

International and Fraud Checks

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and could be time accrued over that period.

Internal Fraud check: If successful for this role as one aspect of pre‑employment screening, applicant's personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth – will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Security Vetting

Please check the Security Clearance needed for the role and follow the link for more information: United Kingdom security vetting clearance levels

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

UKHSA's remit, as an agency with a global‑to‑local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation's expert national health security agency UKHSA will:

• Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation's readiness, defences and health security
• Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
• Analyse: use world‑class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
• Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
• Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.

Primary Care and Interventions Unit (PCIU)

The Primary Care and Interventions Unit (PCIU) is a small research team based in Gloucester. It aims to prevent and improve the management of common infections in primary care through research, guidance, resource development and education of professionals, the general public and young people. We also work with GP practices, pharmacies, care homes, universities, schools, and the public to raise awareness about antibiotic resistance and preventing infection. Our work involves creating educational resources and implementation tools for healthcare professionals, the public, and schools.

UKHSA is investing in a new state‑of‑the‑art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down.

Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King's birthday.