Research Associate - Intellectual Disabilities Research Institute (Health Services Management C[...]

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading UK university in Birmingham is seeking a Research Assistant for a fixed term role in the Health Services Management Centre. The ideal candidate will assist in a research project focusing on support for parents of children with intellectual disabilities. Responsibilities include data collection and assisting in drafting research outputs. Qualifications include a degree in Psychology and experience working with relevant families. Competitive salary offered.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of quantitative data collection and analysis.
• Experience in qualitative analysis methods.
• Organized and self-motivated with project deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Collect research data and recruit participants.
• Prepare research outputs including academic publications.
• Support staff and students assisting with research.

Skills

Understanding of research methods

Experience working with families of children with intellectual disabilities

Good interpersonal skills

Ability to manage competing demands

Education

Honours degree in Psychology

Masters degree in Psychology/Health/Social Care

Job description

Position Details

Health Services Management Centre, School of Social Policy and Society in the College of Social Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £33,002 to £35,608 with potential progression once in post to £39,906

Grade: 6

Part Time (18.75 hours per week)

Fixed Term contract up to August 2028

Closing date: 1st December 2025

Interview Scheduled: 11th December 2025

Background

To assist in research by carrying out recruitment data collection and associated tasks within an NIHR funded research project – a randomised controlled trial of a digital parent support programme for parents of children with intellectual disabilities: The Digital Family Support study.

The post is situated in the Intellectual Disabilities Research Institute (IDRIS) in the School of Social Policy and Society. IDRIS is an applied cross-University research institute established in October 2024 with the appointment of Professor Richard Hastings as 125th Anniversary Chair and Professor of Psychology Health and Social Care. IDRIS also includes, in Social Policy and Society, three other professorial staff, an associate professor, two senior research fellows, a full time manager, a full time administrator, and a number of research fellows, research assistants, and PhD students. Most staff are employed on/funded through external research grants especially from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Other members of IDRIS are based in Schools and Departments across the Colleges of the University. IDRIS works in close co-productive relationships with people with intellectual disabilities, family carers, and with disability advocacy and professional organisations. IDRIS’s research and policy/practice impact is across the lifespan and across sectors (education, health, social care). IDRIS staff are engaged mainly in research on the development and evaluation of interventions and services to support individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families.

This role will be supporting a funded NIHR funded research project – the randomised controlled trial of a digital parent support programme for parents of children with intellectual disabilities: The Digital Family Support study, which is an evaluation of the Stepping Stones Triple P Online programme for parent carers.

Role Summary

• Work within the specified research project of a randomised controlled trial of a digital parent support programme for parents of children with intellectual disabilities: The Digital Family Support study
• Operate within area of specialism

Main Duties

• Collect research data; participant recruitment and data collection
• Contribute to the preparation of research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example for seminars and as posters
• Develop or adapt techniques, models and methods
• Provide support as required to staff and any students who may be assisting with research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research project objectives or deadlines
• Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of the research project
• Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Honours degree (minimum upper second) in Psychology
• Understanding of research methods including quantitative methods and quantitative data collection and analysis
• Experience working with families who have a child with intellectual disabilities
• Ability to work as part of a team with other researchers
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with colleagues at all levels and with parents carers of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities
• Highly organised, with the ability to remain self-motivated in keeping to project deadlines
• Ability to work on several tasks in parallel and to manage competing demands
• Understanding of equal opportunity issues as they may impact on areas of research content

Desirable Criteria

• Masters degree in Psychology/Health /Social Care or research methods
• Experience of study design, data collection, data analysis, and reporting of research results in externally funded projects
• Experience of using qualitative analysis methods
• Experience working with children with intellectual disabilities, their families and/or carers in a research role

Please ensure your application addresses both the essential and desirable criteria, as these will form the basis of our shortlisting process

Informal enquiries to Kylie Gray, email: [e-mail]

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone.