Research Assistant - Qualitative (LightCOM)

University of Oxford; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a Research Assistant for a full-time role focused on the implementation evaluation of weight loss interventions. The successful candidate will engage in qualitative and quantitative research, analyze trial data, and support day-to-day project administration within a collaborative multidisciplinary team. Applicants should have relevant academic qualifications and a keen interest in health behaviors and project management. This position is funded for 12 months and is based in Oxford.

Qualifications

• Relevant academic qualifications in health or social sciences.
• Experience in recruitment processes for studies.
• Strong interest in health behaviors and nutrition.

Responsibilities

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research on weight loss interventions.
• Analyze trial data and ensure protocol adherence.
• Administer the process evaluation and support participant recruitment.

Skills

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Project management

Data analysis

Education

Relevant undergraduate and master's degree

Job description

Position Overview

We are looking for someone to join us who is enthusiastic about investigating how weight loss interventions are implemented and the experiences of participants. This research assistant role is to work in a team conducting the process evaluation and qualitative work package for the LightCOM trials, which are being conducted in the UK and Denmark. The LightCOM trials compare an intensive, multi-component weight loss intervention with usual NHS care.

Responsibilities

• Qualitative and quantitative work to understand how the intensive weight loss intervention is delivered, including interviews with participants about their experiences and leading on interviews with health coaches to understand their experiences of delivering the intervention.
• Collate and analyze trial data to understand whether delivery adheres to the trial protocol.
• Support day-to-day administration of the process evaluation, including recruiting participants, collecting, analyzing, and writing up studies.

Location

You will be based in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Radcliffe Primary Care Building, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG as your normal place of work. The team is mostly office-based to enhance collaboration, which we believe leads to stronger science.

Qualifications

• Relevant undergraduate and master’s degree.
• Significant academic attainment and interest in the area.
• Experience in recruitment and project management.

Team

You will be working within the Health Behaviours team, a vibrant and expanding team. Our team is multidisciplinary, with contributions from nutrition scientists and dietitians, psychologists, general practitioners, epidemiologists, social scientists, and economists. The team is co-led by Professor Susan Jebb, and Professor Peter Scarborough. The post holder will work mainly with Dr Rachael Drewery, a qualitative researcher.

Employment

The position is full-time and funded by the Lighthouse Consortium on Obesity Management (LightCOM) for 12 months.