Research Associate/Fellow (Fixed term, Part time)

The purpose of this role will require specific responsibility for co-ordinating the day to day research, and collating and analysing the results for the Low energy diet in adolescents with Type 2 Diabetes and obesity study (The Legend Study). The study has been funded by Diabetes UK, the largest charity in the UK for people living with diabetes. You will be expected to plan and conduct work using approaches or methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research and will be responsible for writing up your work for publication.

Background to the project: 

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in under-18s is increasing. Current guidelines focus on reducing blood glucose with lifestyle interventions. The long-term complications associated with early-onset T2DM are significant, with poorer outcomes when compared with type 1 diabetes of similar duration. Low-energy diets typically consist of liquid meal replacements providing 800-1200kcal per day. These have been used to induce weight loss to bring about remission of T2DM in adults. We are planning a multicentre feasibility study over two years of thirty-three 12– 17-year-old adolescents with T2DM and obesity to explore the recruitment, retention and acceptability of low-energy diets.

Weight loss will be induced during the low-energy diet phase followed by a food reintroduction phase (typically for 12 weeks each) with an ongoing structured programme with regular visits, to promote long term weight maintenance. Alongside recruitment and retention, outcome measures will include adherence, adverse events and the ability to deliver the study consistently across multiple sites. Qualitative work will explore barriers and facilitators to participation.

You will join a team, led by Dr Pooja Sachdev whose main areas of research interest include Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Young People (CYP) and complex childhood obesity. You will have the opportunity to use your initiative and creativity to identify other areas for research, develop research methods and extend your research portfolio.

The School of Medicine recognises the importance of continuous professional development and therefore the importance of providing opportunities, structured support and encouragement to engage in professional development each year.

This role is available on a fixed term basis until 29th May 2027. Hours of work are part time, 10 hours worked over 3 days each week. There is flexibility with days and your timetable/plan can be discussed weekly/fortnightly.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Pooja Sachdev please email pooja.sachdev@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

Further details:

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