Research Associate (Maternity Cover)

Location University of York campus (with some remote working options available)

We wish to recruit a Research Associate to work on The Mobility Study, at the Department of Health Sciences, University of York. This study is funded by the Motability Foundation and aims to explore the numbers and needs of children and young people in the UK with a disability and mobility difficulties. This is a two-year programme of work consisting of 2 workstreams and the post is focused on the second workstream to understand needs and difficulties.

The Research Associate will play a vital role the study. With support from the Study Manager, Workstream lead, and another Research Associate, the Researcher will employ semi-structured interviews with parents, children and young people; work collaboratively in data analysis; and actively participate in dissemination.

The University of York offers flexible working patterns and a number of family friendly initiatives. As a Department we are proud to foster a supportive culture that helps staff and students contribute fully, flourish and excel, to reach their full potential. We embrace equality, diversity and inclusion as well as the values of the Athena SWAN Charter in all our Departmental activities

Role

The main purpose of the role is to conduct research under the supervision of senior colleagues and contribute to the production of research.

Duties:

• To liaise recruitment organisations in the research.
• To undertake organisational and administrative activities connected to the research study.
• To prioritise and plan your own workload.
• To coordinate and liaise with other members of the research team to ensure the smooth running of the study.
• To be flexible and responsive, whilst maintaining a confident approach to changing circumstances.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed:

• A degree in relevant scientific or health-related discipline.
• PhD or equivalent experience.
• Experience in conducting qualitative research, particularly semi-structured interviews.
• Knowledge of paediatric research, particularly around disability or long-term conditions.
• Knowledge of managing and liaising with NHS, hospice sites and/or charities.
• Highly developed communication skills to engage effectively with a wide-ranging audience, both orally and in writing, using a range of media.
• Empathy and sensitivity in engaging with participants to ensure their comfort and willingness to share their experiences.
• Ability to write up research work for publication in high profile journals and engage in public dissemination.
• Competency to make presentations at conferences.
• Ability to work as part of a team and to work independently using own initiative.
• Experience of carrying out both independent and collaborative research.

This maternity cover post is available for up to 12 months, (running until 30^th June 2026)

Interview date: TBC

For informal enquiries: please contact Dr. Julia Hackett (workstream lead) or Dr Stuart Jarvis (study lead) at the Department of Health Sciences, on julia.hackett@york.ac.uk or stuart.jarvis@york.ac.uk

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