Research Assistant

About the role

We are seeking to recruit a Research Assistant to join an NIHR funded project at the University of Plymouth. The purpose of this role is to support the qualitative arm of a project looking at chronic pain management in older adults, with a particular focus on issues surrounding the overprescribing of pain medication.  

Our project will investigate the prescribing of pain medication in older adults, so that we can understand people’s experiences of prescribing and of wider pain management, along with how chronic pain might be better and more safely managed. Healthcare professionals and members of the public are concerned about the amount of medication being prescribed for chronic pain. There is evidence of people being prescribed too much pain medicine, for too long, and often when people don’t need it (overprescribing). This is a particular issue in older adults. Our project will address these concerns.  

You will interview research participants, including older adults experiencing chronic pain, carers and healthcare professionals. You will conduct qualitative analyses of interview data, and support dissemination and write up of finding. Your role will be supported by members of the wider research team. 

This is a part-time position working 14.8 hour per week (2 days) on a fixed-term basis for 12 months due to funding.  Options for remote and hybrid working are available.  The anticipated start date is 1^st May 2025 (with flexibility).

This is an exciting opportunity to work with experts across a number of Universities in the UK on an important topic area.

The successful candidate may be required to obtain an ATAS Certificate prior to this research being undertaken.

For more information on Peninsula Medical School please visit our dedicated webpage at https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools

This role will require an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check plus a Adult's Barred List check.

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role, please contact Professor Pat Schofield, Dr Carrie Stewart or Dr Stuart Spicer  by telephone +44 1752 764260.

For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.

About us

The Faculty of Health holds four Silver Athena Swan awards, which recognise our commitment to supporting gender equality within higher education.

The University of Plymouth has a strong interdisciplinary research ethos which is supported by our three strategic Research Institutes; the Marine Institute, the Sustainable Earth Institute, and the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research. As a member of our academic community, you’ll be expected to contribute to our recognised research strengths. Working holistically across the University, you will be challenged to innovate, collaborate and deliver impactful research contributions as part of a systems thinking approach to addressing today’s global challenges.

Application Process

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.  In additional to your support statement you will be required to upload a CV as part of your online application. 

Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.

Anticipated Interview Date(s): Late March

Advert information