Research Associate

About us 

The study is located in the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health & Social Care Workforce (HSCWRU) at King’s College London, that exists to develop research knowledge in the health and social care workforce field and to disseminate findings to policymakers, service providers, employers and patient, service user and carer groups. HSCWRU’s Director is Professor Annette Boaz, and Deputy Director is Professor Ann-Marie Towers. We have an active programme of Patient & Public, Service User and Carer Involvement and Engagement and conduct a wide range of studies.

HSCWRU is part of the Policy Institute within the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy. Our offices are in the Virginia Woolf Building, of King’s Strand Campus. The Policy Institute is engaged in the translation of academic research at King’s College for the benefit of society.

About the role

This is a 30-month research project, funded by the NIHR Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) Programme. The Research Associate will be employed full-time for the duration of the project. The post-holder will be involved in innovative and fast-paced research using a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, with an opportunity to directly influence health and social care policy and practice. The project’s focus is on building knowledge, and co-producing guidance and practical resources to support homecare workforce role expansion at the interface of health and social care. This work will look specifically at healthcare interventions for older people that are delegated to, and undertaken by, homecare workers.

The Research Associate will be responsible for the following tasks: setting up  the study (i.e. obtaining ethical approval); supporting an evidence-based review; conducting consultations with key health and social care stakeholders; developing a mixed-methods survey & supporting data collection and analysis; conducting qualitative interviews and using diary methodology; qualitative analysis; and facilitating co-production workshops. The post-holder will work closely with diverse community partners, homecare providers (including care staff and service users), PPI advisory group members, and science communication specialists. They will be supported by an experienced research team at King’s College London, with wider connections to the University of York, & Aston University.

Due to the ambitious nature of this research project, appropriate methodological experience and knowledge of the adult social care/domiciliary homecare sector is essential. Enthusiasm in developing a career in health and social care research will be beneficial and we are a supportive team that can assist with developing future grants & taking ideas forward.

Please note, this is a fixed-term contract, ending 31/08/2027. 

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service clearance.

About you 

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills & experience:

Essential criteria

• A PhD in a relevant health and/or social care field.
• A good understanding of the adult social care sector, including domiciliary homecare.
• Must be able to evidence relevant quantitative and qualitative experience (as per the role description), including data collection and analysis.
• Ability to use initiative and work independently to time and target, with support from the wider team.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, with experience communicating with, and involving, diverse stakeholders in research.
• Experience of contributing to formal processes of project development, such as developing study documents (i.e. information sheets, consent forms, survey and interview materials), applying for ethical approval (or amendments), & writing up reports and other outputs.

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