Research Associate in Mixed Methods/Qualitative Research (Maternity Cover)

The University of Manchester; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Manchester seeks a researcher to manage a VR risk reduction training programme. Responsibilities include developing ethical review protocols, conducting interviews with stakeholders, and supporting the programme's feasibility evaluation. Candidates should have mixed methods and qualitative research skills, ideally with an interest in digital health technologies. This role offers flexible working arrangements and a market-leading pension scheme.

Benefits

Market leading Pension scheme

Employee health and wellbeing services

Exceptional starting annual leave

Additional paid closure over Christmas

Local and national discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in health or social care settings.
• Ability to provide maternity cover on an NIHR-funded research grant.

Responsibilities

• Organise and manage the initial phases of the project.
• Conduct interviews with VR companies and care home staff.
• Assist with the piloting of VR training.

Skills

Mixed methods research skills

Qualitative research skills

Interest in digital health technologies

Job description

Overview

The successful candidate will work with the project team to develop an initial VR risk reduction training programme and implementation toolkit, using user-centred design approaches. The project uses a phased, mixed-methods approach to develop the training programme and toolkit, and to conduct a pilot cluster RCT to inform a subsequent RCT. The researcher will have day-to-day responsibility for the organisation and management of the initial phases of the project, including developing protocols for ethical review, conducting interviews with VR companies and care home staff, assisting with the initial piloting of the VR training, and working closely with the PCIE group of care home stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Organise and manage the initial phases of the project, including developing protocols for ethical review.
• Conduct interviews with VR companies and care home staff.
• Assist with the initial piloting of the VR training and contribute to the development of the implementation toolkit.
• Work closely with the PCIE group of care home stakeholders.
• Support the development and feasibility evaluation of a VR risk reduction training programme focusing on hand hygiene and falls prevention for care home staff.
• Engage with the mixed-methods approach and pilot cluster RCT to inform a subsequent full RCT.

Qualifications

• Mixed methods and/or qualitative research skills developed in health or social care settings.
• A keen interest and/or experience in digital health technologies research.
• Ability to provide maternity cover on an NIHR-funded research grant in the Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, at The University of Manchester.

What you will get in return

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

We have a genuine commitment to equality of opportunity for our staff and students, and are proud to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve. As the School is committed to the principles of the Race Equality Charter Mark, we would particularly welcome applications from the Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) community who are currently under-represented at this level in this area. All appointments will be made on merit. Our University is positive about flexible working; hybrid working arrangements may be considered.