The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, highly motivated research associate to work jointly across the Imaging and Engineering and the Neuroscience Themes of the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). You'll join a dynamic team of research clinicians and scientists, exploring cutting-edge biological and clinical research techniques as part of multiple patient-focused projects. You will lead on the development of technologies and approaches to obtain data (such as heart rate and mobility) and active data (such as questionnaires) from devices such as smartphones, wearables and novel sensors. You will work alongside a team to pilot these technologies in clinical studies in a range of medical conditions. You will lead on the development of analytic approaches to improve diagnosis, treatment personalisation, and risk prediction. You will also unlock a world of opportunities as a member of the NIHR Sheffield BRC Training Academy (BTA) and the broader NIHR Academy, benefitting from career-based mentoring, SPARC placements, targeted seminars, and bespoke courses. We are seeking candidates with a PhD in a relevant scientific field and experience of clinical assessment outcomes.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Work with BRC theme, subtheme and objective leads
• Design, develop and evaluate technologies to support project delivery plans,
• Plan and carry out data linkage and data analysis of datasets collected within clinic-based and real-world scenarios within NHS settings including signal processing and statistical analysis, and interpretation of research findings.
• Lead and manage project tasks to meet the research deliverables as well as maintaining documentation.
• Contribute to and actively participate in collaborations with other academic, clinical, regulatory and industrial research partners, locally and in the wider research community.
• Contribute to patient/public involvement and engagement work related to the research.
• Manage and coordinate storage and analysis of clinical research data from smartphones, wearables and other sensors linked with NHS data
• Lead and contribute to preparation of manuscripts, reports and other outputs
• Co-supervision of PhD, MSc and undergraduate students including occasional teaching duties in relevant areas
• Present results to collaborators, the research group and external audiences to disseminate and publicise research findings.
• Provide input to the strategy and research direction of the project and wider research area.
• As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• Degree (or equivalent qualification) in relevant discipline such as computer science, biomedical science, engineering, etc (assessed at: application)
• PhD in relevant scientific field or equivalent level of experience (assessed at: application)
• Expertise in acquisition and analysis of sensor and other relevant data sources & expertise in mobile and/or web development (assessed at: application/interview)
• Strong programming skills for large scale datasets using languages such as Python, R etc. and familiarity with machine learning and statistics (assessed at: application/interview)
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving by working with a wide range of other colleagues and successfully manage multiple complex projects (assessed at: application/interview)
• Experience of leading writing of scientific outputs in relevant field and journals (assessed at: application/interview)
• Experience in supervision and management of other staff such PhD students and researchers from different backgrounds (assessed at: application/interview)
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills and experience of delivering presentations (assessed at: application/interview)
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team across multiple projects (assessed at: application/interview)
• Knowledge of and experience in ethics and governance processes related to health research, including managing and coordinating storage of clinical research data in compliance with relevant data security/ confidentiality guidance (assessed at: application/interview)

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working with patients and the public in PPIE activities including preparing accessible public-facing communications (assessed at: application/interview)
• Experience of clinical assessment outcomes (e.g. PROMs, UPDRS, MOCA) and understanding of ethical implications of use of clinical data in research (assessed at: application/interview)

Further Information

Grade: 7

Duration: 24 months

Line manager: Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine/Professor of Digital Health and Pervasive Computing

Direct reports: N/A

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Professor Tim Chico, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine: on t.j.chico@sheffield.ac.uk

Professor Vitaveska Lanfranchi, Professor of Digital Health and Pervasive Computing: on v.lanfranchi@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing date. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you are shortlisted for interview and require reasonable adjustments please contact v.lanfranchi@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
 

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society.
We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognizes and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.