Job summary
- Main area
- Research
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 7
- Contract
- 18 months (Fixed-term)
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Home or remote working
- Job ref
- 339-S&T9840-LGG
- Employer
- North Bristol NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit
- Town
- Bristol
- Salary
- Dependant on experience
- Closing
- 09/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Senior Research Associate
NHS AfC: Band 7
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Job overview
This is a fixed term post to work at Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit to assist the team in delivery of the MISLToe study research activity. It will be the post holder’s responsibility, under the supervision of senior colleagues, to ensure studies are delivered in line with agreed targets with Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit. Their research skills will ensure a well-informed, coordinated support mechanism is provided to researchers and clinicians in the research team. The post holder is expected to work with the wider MISLToe research team to contribute to data analysis and interpretation, writing of papers, development of the impact pathway and contributing to new grant applications.
Main duties of the job
Development and delivery of research
· Support the CI in obtaining relevant ethical permissions (e.g, IRAS, local ethics).
· Design, write and maintain study-specific documentation in consultation with members of the research team
· Set up, organize and carry out the research ensuring that Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Research Governance Framework (RGF) and legal standards are adhered to.
· Act as the first point of contact for recruitment sites.
· Work with research team to finalise the protocol and questionnaire tool for data collection.
· Support research team in set up, running and documenting of research focus groups.
· Support participating NHS sites in data collection using MISLToe_SSD protocol.
· Support PPI leads in panning and delivering PPI activities as required.
· Act in the best interests of the research participants to ensure their rights are upheld.
· Support the CI in ensuring all reporting to regulatory bodies and research networks (if applicable) is done in a timely manner.
· Observe the confidentiality of participant and patient information at all times, in accordance with data Protection Act and Caldicott regulations.
Working for our organisation
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Development and delivery of research
· Support the CI in obtaining relevant ethical permissions (e.g, IRAS, local ethics).
· Design, write and maintain study-specific documentation in consultation with members of the research team
· Set up, organize and carry out the research ensuring that Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Research Governance Framework (RGF) and legal standards are adhered to.
· Act as the first point of contact for recruitment sites.
· Work with research team to finalise the protocol and questionnaire tool for data collection.
· Support research team in set up, running and documenting of research focus groups.
· Support participating NHS sites in data collection using MISLToe_SSD protocol.
· Support PPI leads in panning and delivering PPI activities as required.
· Act in the best interests of the research participants to ensure their rights are upheld.
· Support the CI in ensuring all reporting to regulatory bodies and research networks (if applicable) is done in a timely manner.
· Observe the confidentiality of participant and patient information at all times, in accordance with data Protection Act and Caldicott regulations.
Person specification
Education/Training/Qualifications
Essential criteria
- PhD qualification
Desirable criteria
- University or college/vocational primary qualification in speech and language therapy, psychology or equivalent
- HPC registered Speech and Language Therapist
Work Experience
Essential criteria
- Evidence of further education/professional development
- Effective personal time and workload management
- Extensive experience in planning and conducting clinical research studies.
- Project management skills within a research environment
- Supervisory experience of junior members of staff
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Essential criteria
- Interest in and enthusiasm for research in speech and language therapy
- Excellent cross disciplinary communication skills and ability to facilitate collaborative working relationships
- Ability to disseminate research findings in written form for peer review journals and other publications
- Ability to disseminate research findings verbally in a variety of contexts
- Well-developed IT skills, knowledge of Microsoft packages
- Advanced communication skills, verbal & written, to include report writing and record keeping.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with patients, carers, clinical staff and multidisciplinary team.
- Knowledge of research methodology
- Facilitation of development of other staff
Personal Qualities/Special Circumstances
Essential criteria
- Able to maintain concentration for extended periods of time
- Able to work with a community of families, children, health care professionals and academics.
Desirable criteria
- Evening and weekend work as research study requires
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dr Sam Burr
- Job title
- Research Fellow
- Email address
- [email protected]
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