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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.

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Overview

We are seeking to recruit a Research Assistant to join us on a study funded by the National Institute of Health Research.  The title of the research study is Intensive Interaction for children and young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities: INTERACT trial www.interacttrial.com

The research study is evaluating an interaction and communication approach called Intensive Interaction. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is used to evaluate the effectiveness of Intensive Interaction for children and young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). Educational settings across the UK for children and young people with PMLD will be recruited to the study. Speech and Language Therapists who work into the settings (or outside of the settings) will be recruited to the study and trained to deliver Intensive Interaction to practitioners who work in the settings along with family carers of the children and young people. The trained practitioners and family carers deliver Intensive Interaction to the children and young people. A range of outcome measures are employed to measure the potential effectiveness.

You will work with Professor Clegg and the wider research team (Universities of Birmingham, York and Sheffield) to deliver the Intensive Interaction training and to supervise the trainees as they deliver the Intensive Interaction to the children and young people with PMLD. You will also work with Professor Clegg to support research related activity and other duties. The post is based in the School of Allied Health Professions, Pharmacy, Nursing & Midwifery.

Whatever your experience, we are looking for a Research Assistant who can support delivering the study as well as bringing innovative ideas and creativity into the research assistant role.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Work with Professor Clegg and the wider research team to deliver the University of Sheffield component of this NIHR research study.

• Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with the wider research team.
• Contribute to the implementation, delivery and on-going evaluation of the Intensive Interaction training to professionals, practitioners and family carers of children and young people with PMLD.
• Design and implement online, asynchronous training materials.
• Contribute to data collection using quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Collate, input and organise data into data analysis software.
• Contribute to reports, presentations, conference abstracts and journal articles (with support).
• Read academic papers, journals, books, and professional literature to develop current knowledge in this field.
• Contribute to the academic life of the School of Allied Health Professions, Pharmacy Nursing & Midwifery (AHPN&M)
• Make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible
• Contribute to the academic life of the School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit 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.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place approximately two weeks after the closing date. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage a week following the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact e.l.nesbit@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 38 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 enhanced 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 recognizes and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.