Research Assistant (Food support in adult social care)

The University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 35,000; Part time

Job summary

A UK-based university is seeking a dynamic Research Associate to join an interdisciplinary team focused on food support in adult social care. Responsibilities include leading literature reviews, establishing partnerships, and co-designing research programs. Candidates should have independent research experience, excellent organizational skills, and a background in social care or food-related research. The role is part-time, with a salary of £34,610 per annum.

Benefits

38 days annual leave

Flexible working opportunities

Generous pension scheme

Wide range of discounts and rewards

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Experience of independent research.
• Experience of literature reviewing (e.g. scoping reviews, systematic review).
• Experience of working with practitioners and policy makers.
• Excellent organisational, administrative, and project management skills.
• Ability to write for various audiences.
• Ability to facilitate discussions on sensitive topics.
• Experience of research in social care or food.
• Experience of delivering quality outputs in a timely manner.
• Self-motivated with initiative.

Responsibilities

• Support the set-up of practitioner partnership and public involvement groups.
• Support and lead co-design elements and organise workshops.
• Lead literature searches and collate evidence.
• Work alongside the project team to review evidence.
• Lead on scoping social care datasets.
• Support and lead project outputs including grant proposals.

Skills

Independent research

Literature reviewing

Communication with stakeholders

Organisational skills

Project management

Qualitative research methods

Job description

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 pension 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 and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated Research Associate to join our interdisciplinary team on a new project on food support in adult social care, funded by the NIHR School for Social Care Research. You'll be at the heart of developing a major research programme proposal, working to co‑design this with practitioner partners and a public involvement group. The role will involve leading a comprehensive scoping review of existing UK research, working with the project team to establish and work with practitioner partners and a public involvement group (which will be convened in person in South Yorkshire). Candidates will need to have experience of research review methods, successfully working with practitioners or policy makers and experience of public involvement, co‑design or in‑depth qualitative methods.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Support the set up of the practitioner partnership and public involvement groups (including recruitment, organising meetings and follow up).
• Support and lead on elements of co‑design, including the organisation of workshops, facilitation during online and in person meetings, methods design and write up.
• Lead on literature searches and collating evidence for review.
• Work alongside the project team to review this evidence.
• Lead on a scoping of social care datasets (reviewing questionnaires and data access).
• Support and lead on elements of project outputs, including grant proposal/s, academic and public‑facing outputs.
• 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.

Essential Criteria

• Experience of undertaking independent research.
• Experience of literature reviewing (e.g. scoping reviews, systematic review, rapid evidence assessments).
• Experience working with practitioners (including the voluntary sector) and/or policy makers.
• Excellent organisational, administrative and project management skills.
• Ability to write for a range of audiences (e.g. academic, funder, public and policy).
• Ability to communicate with different stakeholders and facilitate discussions on sensitive topics.
• Experience of research in the field of social care or food.
• Experience of delivering quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
• Self‑motivated with ability for initiative and independent thought/working.

Desirable Criteria

• Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.

Grade

6.4

Salary

£34,610 per annum.

Work arrangement

Part‑time, 14 hours per week.

Duration

01/01/26 - 31/12/26

Line manager

Project Principal Investigator

Direct reports

N/A

Our website

https://sheffield.ac.uk/spir

Contact

For informal enquiries about this job contact Hannah Lambie‑Mumford, Senior Lecturer, School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations at [e-mail].

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 09/12/2025. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 01/12/2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [e-mail].

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.

Closing Date

01/12/2025

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.

Our vision and strategic plan

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 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.