Job summary
Employer heading
Research Associate (Gowen Autism study)
Band 6
Job overview
The aim of this 2 year, project is to provide evidence for the need and acceptability of routine sensory motor assessments and treatment for autistic adults without Learning Disabilities and to identify and map appropriate intervention pathways.
The Research Associate (RA) will join a multidisciplinary team who have experience in autism research, Occupational Therapy, Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), delivery of complex interventions and economic evaluation. They will be responsible for monitoring participant recruitment, communicating with the OTs, research team and participants and collating the assessment reports and questionnaires into spreadsheets. The RA will perform quantitative and qualitative analysis (i.e. framework analysis) on the data and work with the Chief Investigator to develop, run and contribute to the workshops and survey. They will help design the toolkit and be involved in disseminating study findings through publications, presentations, PPI and clinical material.
Specific skills that would be desirable for the project are experience of working with autistic adults and/or experience conducting research with autistic adults, experience of co-producing research with autistic people and experience of sensory motor research. Knowledge of the brain and cognitive underpinnings of sensory and motor difficulties in the autistic population would also be desirable.
Main duties of the job
In phase 1 of the study, autistic adults will be recruited from two diagnostic clinics in the Northwest. Participants will be offered a SMD assessment by an Occupational Therapist and will receive a report detailing findings including any support recommendations. All participants will be asked to return for a follow up visit to collect proof of concept and feasibility data on the assessment and report using a survey and open-ended questions. This data will allow us to understand the need for assessment and intervention and obtain acceptability and feasibility data to design future studies.
In phase 2, a toolkit containing guidance on appropriate SMD assessments and intervention options will be developed through workshops and a survey involving research team members and stakeholders.
The project is funded by an NIHR Research for Patient Benefit grant.
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 6,400 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 160 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached job description and person specification
Staff benefits
- Pay Enhancements – 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
- Excellent pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary sacrifice car scheme
- Wellbeing programme
- Blue Light Card Discounts
Person specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Good Honours Degree in Psychology (2:1 or above) and a Master’s Degree or equivalent experience
Desirable criteria
- PhD in Psychology or a relevant and related field
Experience
Essential criteria
- • Experience of conducting quantitative and qualitative research in mental health/Autism
- • Experience of statistical and qualitative computer packages (e.g. SPSS, STATA or an equivalent statistical package and nVivo)
- • Experience of conducting PPI events and public engagement
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
- • Ability to organize own day to day tasks and activities
- • Computer Literacy – advanced skills in database (eg Microsoft Excel) and word processing packages
- • Ability to work independently with regular supervision, using initiative
- • Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills
Desirable criteria
- • Demonstrable capability of working with large volumes of complex, sensitive and highly confidential information
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- • Knowledge/experience of analysis and interpretation of statistical/analytical research outcomes
Other
Essential criteria
- • Reliable method for traveling independently across the wide footprint of the Trust and occasionally the North West region to attend meetings and events relevant to the role
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 Emma Gowen
- Job title
- Study Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
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