Research Officer

Specific duties for this role will include:
Supporting the Programme Manager in the set up and delivery of the SPACES randomised controlled trial.

Acting as a point of contact for mental health trusts in England and Health Boards in Wales to oversee trial conduct from set-up to close-down.

In conjunction with the workstream leads, carry out a process evaluation of the SPACES intervention, conducting and analysing data from one-to-one qualitative interviews, focus groups and workshops with stakeholders.

We expect that this individual will take part in all aspects of the research process including participant recruitment and data management. Also ,contribution to manuscripts and publications where appropriate. The individual will communicate regularly with Dr Emily Peckham who is the chief investigator for the study and Matthew Faires who is the Programme Manager based at York St John University.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post.

Committed To Equal Opportunities

Overview

College of Medicine and Health

The successful applicant will be a Research Officer within the College of Medicine and Health.

School of Health Sciences

The School of Health Sciences has a long standing reputation in expertise for clinical trials and physical activity.

The Project

The School of Health Sciences is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work on the NIHR funded SPACES programme. The overall aim of the programme is to develop and test an intervention to support people with severe mental illness to increase their physical activity. The programme includes the theory
- and evidence-based development of an intervention (in co-production with a wide variety of stakeholders), a feasibility and refinement phase, a definitive randomised controlled trial, a process evaluation and health economic analyses. The project is currently in the feasibility and refinement phase. SPACES is a multi-site programme with researchers based at the Universities of Sheffield, Leeds, York, York St John, KCL and Sheffield Hallam and Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Purpose of the Job

The post is part of an established team working in the area of physical activity and severe mental illness.

Working with Research Associates at Sheffield Hallam University and the Universities of Leeds and York the post holder will be responsible for contributing to all aspects of the randomised controlled trial of the SPACES intervention and conducting a process evaluation supported by the SPACES Programme Manager and Programme workstream leads. As part of a multi-site multi-disciplinary programme the post involves liaising with external and internal partners.

Main

**Responsibilities**:

- Contribute to development of detailed study protocols and obtaining ethical approvals.
- Ensure the efficient day-to-day management, closure, archiving and dissemination of the trial in accordance with study protocols and standard operating procedures.
- Liaise with all parties involved in a trial to ensure systems are in place to allow the smooth running of the trial.
- Responsible for recruiting participants for the process evaluation.
- Conduct and analyse data from one-to-one qualitative interviews, focus group and workshops with stakeholders.
- Collaborate with co-researchers to write up the results in scientific articles, contribute to writing final reports and sharing results with grant holders. Contribute to the dissemination of research outputs to relevant audiences. Provide regular updates on progress to the project management group.
- Participate in project meetings, liaise with stakeholders (external and internal). Be in very regular contact with the larger research group to update on progress, trouble shoot problems and so on.
- Other duties and responsibilities specific to the role include actively participating in specific College activities such as seminars etc., gain external funding, if desired.

Other

**Responsibilities**:

- The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
- The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.
- The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/her self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
- The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

Essential:

- PhD in a health or physical activity related field, or be c