Research Assistant

Vacancy terms: Full-time, or job share considered, fixed term contract for 11 months

Hours per week: 37.5

About the role

The Diabetes Research Centre and NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre are looking to recruit a talented, motivated individual to join an established, successful research team and contribute to a programme of work in the area of lifestyle behaviours (including diet/nutrition, physical activity and sleep) to improve the prevention and management of cardiometabolic long-term conditions such as obesity and diabetes in underrepresented groups, most prominently those from non-white ethnicities and women before, during and after pregnancy.

The appointed individual will join the Leicester Lifestyle and Health Research Group, as part of the Lifestyle Theme of the prestigious NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), working most closely within the research groups of Professor Louise Goff and Professor Claire Meek.

They will be based at the Leicester Diabetes Centre (Leicester General Hospital), which is internationally recognised for its research in long-term conditions such as obesity and diabetes (including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and diabetes during pregnancy), and in lifestyle behaviours across the 24 hours day (diet/nutrition, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep). The Leicester Diabetes Centre also hosts the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands, the NIHR Patient Recruitment Centre: Leicester, Leicester Real-World Evidence Unit, and the Centre for Ethnic Health Research.

Please see the job summary forms accompanying this advert for further information on the post and essential criteria.

These posts provide an excellent opportunity for an ambitious researcher to work with an internationally recognised team within a novel priority area, and contribute to the ongoing development of our Research Centre alongside advancing their independent research career

About you

As a Research Assistant (G6), you will have a good honours degree in a relevant discipline alongside experience of collecting physical activity data, and an understanding of, or experience in, conducting lifestyle research projects in clinical populations (which may have been acquired either in paid employment or as a student). You will also have experience in conducting patient and public involvement/engagement (PPI/E) activities in people from underrepresented groups living with long-term conditions. A PhD is desirable, but not essential. You will have a strong interest in developing a career in research, a willingness to undertaking training and personal development, and the ability to work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary research team

Additional information

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Dr Jack Sargeant (jack.sargeant@uhl-tr.nhs.uk)

Applications for job share will be considered.

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. 

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive. 

Advert closes midnight on: 05 February 2025

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