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

The IMPROVE research team, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, wishes to recruit a highly motivated qualitative researcher to join a multidisciplinary research team co-designing inclusive recruitment strategies for a novel prostate cancer screening study. Prostate cancer is the second commonest cause of cancer death in men in the UK. Currently there is no NHS screening programme, with men at higher risk offered PSA blood tests which are not definitive. Our research aims to develop an image-based approach to screening, combining PSA testing with MRI to better identify aggressive cancers that require treatment while reducing unnecessary detection of slow-growing cancers.

You will play a key role in a large mixed methods project as a qualitative researcher conducting focus groups, interviews and co-design workshops with men from Black backgrounds and  lower income backgrounds, in communities across Yorkshire. You will lead data analysis within the team and help develop targeted recruitment strategies that address barriers to participation in prostate cancer screening among underserved populations.

The project will provide opportunities for you to engage with community partners, patient groups representing diverse communities, healthcare practitioners and policy stakeholders, participate in generating research impact, and develop your own career within a supportive and flexible environment. You will be based in the Primary Care research group in the Division of Population Health as part of a cross- institution multidisciplinary team co-led by Professor James Catto  (University of Sheffield) and Professor Peter Saiseni (Queen Mary University of London ) with an international reputation for high impact research in early cancer detection.

You should have excellent qualitative research skills, a good awareness of the principles of health services research and a strong interest in health equity and inclusive research approaches.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Familiarize with work to date on the IMPROVE project and synthesise prostate cancer screening literature specific to recruitment, inclusion and representation in clijical trials
• Work with Community Research Link Workers (CRLWs) to develop recruitment strategies and materials for qualitative focus groups, interviews  and co-design workshops
• Undertake qualitative data collection (face-to-face, online interviews, focus groups, observations) - This will involve travel with travel expenses reimbursed (within university guidance) in Sheffield, Leeds and across Yorkshire
• Set up and manage data collection and storage complying with university ethics and data governance procedures
• Maintain accurate, detailed research records in confidential files accessible to team members
• Conduct independent and collaborative analyses of research data using rapid assessment procedure (RAP) and Framework approaches
• Collaborate with team members to contribute to complementary mixed methods research outputs: conference abstracts, presentations ,  publications and reports to the wider team and funders.
• Disseminate findings in tailored formats for varied audiences including academics, public, clinical practitioners and policy makers
• Co-lead organisation of stakeholder and public engagement events
• Engage in wider research activities such as seminars, symposia, conferences and supervision of students

Planning and organising

• Assist in the planning of project activities and review progress against milestones in collaboration with the leads
• Attend and contribute to project and research group meetings to ensure integration of your work with the team
• Support students and Professional Services staff as requested and appropriate
• Engage in appropriate use of non-staff budget: travel costs, IT, office costs etc.

You will make a full and active contribution to the principles of the 'Sheffield Academic'. These include:

• The achievement of excellence in applied teaching and research, and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University's achievements as a whole
• As a staff member you are encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the post grade and remit

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.

Further Information

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
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • 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.

Criminal record

A standard/enhanced/ enhanced with barred lists DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

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 recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.