Research Assistant in Addictions

About the role:

The Research Assistant position will play a crucial role in supporting and contributing to an exciting and challenging new research trial - PRET (the Prison Release Engagement Trial) which will test an app-driven support system for individuals with previous heroin addiction problems over the period of their release from prison in order to improve post-release continuity of care.

The appointee will be responsible for maintaining good contact with healthcare staff in participating sites (six prisons across England) as well as local treatment agencies, using a good knowledge of how opioid use disorder is treated in prisons and the provision of treatment in the community. Close working with PPI partners and networks will also be a particular responsibility. The Research Assistant will be based within the wider project team at the Addiction Sciences Building at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, however travel to participating sites across England is likely.

The post holder will work with PRET research colleagues in order to:

• Maintain good communication with research sites and partner organisations
• Maintain good collaborative relationships with key individuals and groups responsible for provision or monitoring of healthcare provision, both within prison and also post-release
• Ensure good awareness of opportunity, and smooth recruitment of participants into the study, completion of study assessments and tracking of capture of relevant information
• Support research sites in facilitating recruitment and initial entry of participants into the study
• Coordinate between the app-development company (CMI) and the PRET study team as well as the participating prisons to arrange initial familiarisation with the app technology of staff and participants, and also the pre-placement of individualised mobile phone for participants pre-release.
• Liaise with probation services about arrangements for post-release aftercare
• Monitor and ensure good data collection at recruitment and post-release
• Coordinate and monitor a sample of verification checks with clinics
• Assist in study-wide communications
• Support maintenance of study documents, recruitment and report forms
• Contribute to recruitment, retention and follow-up contact with study participants
• Have access to sensitive datasets with anonymised personal study data
• Assist with administrative tasks.

This position is available full-time or potentially on a part-time basis.

About you:

Essential criteria

1. BSc in Psychology or in a related field.
2. Previous research or clinical experience of addiction treatment services and/or the prison system, or evidence of equivalent relevant knowledge.
3. Understanding of the special challenges of providing treatment for addiction problems within the prison system as well as in community settings.
4. Understanding of the objectives of the PRET study, including awareness of the challenges involved and the need to work collaboratively to develop solutions.
5. Previous experience working in relevant research projects (familiarity with protocol development, ethics applications, etc).
6. Good organizational and time management skills.
7. Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and work well within a team.

Desirable criteria

1. MSc in Addictions or in a related field
2. Knowledge of the process of prison-release and continuity of care in the community. 
3. Previous experience of working with or within addiction treatment services and/or with or within the prison system.
4. Awareness and experience of working with prison-leavers, and experience with engagement of individuals with problems associated with heroin/opioid use.  

We are not able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.

Advert information