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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 Kent 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 work into other aspects of the evaluation and research study including the patient and public engagement in the research. 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, Nursing & Midwifery (Speech and Language Therapy) and may involve some research visits to educational settings across England.
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
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.
Engage patients and the public in the research to ensure co-production in the implementation, delivery and dissemination of the research study.
Contribute to data collection using quantitative and qualitative methods.
Collate, input and organise data in to 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, 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.
Essential criteria
A good honours degree in psychology, speech and language therapy, health, education or related discipline (assessed at: application).
Experience of and/or interest in Intensive Interaction and working with children and young people with significant communication needs and/or profound/severe multiple learning disabilities and their family carers (assessed at: application/interview).
Experience of and skills in undertaking quantitative and qualitative research (assessed at: application/interview).
Experience and/or interest in developing training materials, specifically synchronous online training materials (assessed at: application/interview).
Knowledge and/or experience of mixed methods research (assessed at: application/interview).
Excellent IT skills and a willingness to develop new skills in this area (assessed at: application/interview).
Proven ability to work and deliver to specified deadlines (assessed at: application/interview).
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including, experience of report writing and delivering verbal presentations (assessed at: application/interview).
Desirable criteria
Internationally recognised qualification in speech and language therapy and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (assessed at: application).
Have a MSc or be in the process of submitting for a MSc in psychology, speech and language therapy, health, education or related discipline (assessed at: application).
Further Information
Grade: 6
Hours: 21 hours per week/0.6FTE
Duration: 2 years
Line manager: Professional Lead for SLT/Director of Innovation
Direct reports: N/A
For informal enquiries about this job contact Professor Judy Clegg, Professional Lead for Speech and Language Therapy, Director of Innovation on: j.clegg@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. This will consist of a presentation and interview and an optional tour of our facilities. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. Please contact c.e.potts@sheffield.ac.uk if you require any reasonable adjustments.
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
An 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).
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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.