Research Worker SHAPED

Job Description

An estimated 2 million people in the UK repeatedly see things that are not actually there  termed visual hallucinations. The hallucinations are associated with many clinical conditions of which eye disease, Parkinsons disease and the dementias (including Alzheimers disease) are the most important in terms of the number of patients affected.
We have been awarded an NIHR funded programme grant Towards an evidence-based clinical management of visual hallucinations: prevalence, prognosis, impact and pathophysiology, a multi-site study which sets out to fill the gaps in our understanding of the nature and scale of this problem. The programme consists of 4 integrated workstreams covering different aspects of visual hallucinations and their impact on patients and NHS services.


Qualifications
Essential: Good undergraduate degree (minimum 2.1) in relevant area (e.g. health or social care, psychology, gerontology, social research methods, neuroscience)

Desirable: Post-graduate degree qualification in relevant area (e.g. health or social care, psychology, gerontology, social research methods, neuroscience)

Skills
The research worker will join the research team investigating needs and experiences and be responsible for: qualitative data analysis under supervision using qualitative analysis software e.g. NVIVO; and iv) assisting in the analysis and writing up of findings. The role will involve close working with the qualitative research team and programme co-ordinator.
Key Objectives:
Specific duties and responsibilities will include the following:-
 Work alongside relevant field team colleagues to ensure research databases are maintained efficiently and accurately
 Collating information and contributing to reports on research activity and progress for project management and research group meetings
 Supporting report writing and dissemination of research findings
 Any other duties appropriate to the grade as directed by your line manager

Communication & Networking:
 Post-holders must have excellent communication skills and ability to work well with a small team of researchers as well as clinical staff and managers within the NHS
 Maintaining effective communication with professionals to ensure project delivery
 Attend and, as appropriate, present research findings at internal meetings and academic conferences, submit papers for publication

Decision Making, Planning and Problem Solving:
The post-holders will work closely with the workstream leads and programme co-ordinator, but will be expected to:
 Deal with problems effectively as they arise
 Contribute to decisions affecting the team
 Demonstrate appropriate time management techniques
 Ensure compliance with protocol guidelines and research governance
 Make decisions and use resources and facilities as appropriate
 Demonstrate initiative, autonomy and self-motivation
 Seek help and guidance where necessary

Service Delivery:
 The post has no clinical responsibilities
 Deliver specific pieces of work, targets and scholarly contributions to an agreed timeline

Analysis & Research:
 Undertake relevant background research
 Produce scholarly research of an international standard, consistent with project and departmental objectives

Team Work, Teaching & Learning Support:
 Work with colleagues and supervisors as appropriate to the goals of the project
 Attend and contribute to regular team meetings.

Sensory/Physical Demands & Work Environment:
 To use a desktop PC for research and general administration using Microsoft Office
 Be aware of the risks in the work environment and their potential impact on their own work and that of others

Pastoral Care:
 The post holder understands and maintains confidentiality