Research Assistant – Autism from Menstruation to Menopause

Salary: Grade 07. £32,982 – £37,099 per annum (pro rata)  together with USS pension benefits

Contract: Full-time. Fixed term for 65 months

Location: Singleton Campus, Swansea. This position will be based at the Singleton campus but flexible working arrangements can be agreed in line with the University’s agile working policy.

Disabled members of staff may seek an accommodation to permanently work from home if required.

The School of Health and Social Care sits in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences at Swansea University. The School is interdisciplinary including staff from across public health, and the health care professions. It is one of three Schools within the Faculty alongside the School of Psychology, and Swansea Medical School. It also hosts the Swansea Centre for Improvement and Innovation and has close affiliations with the Swansea Centre for Health Economics and the Centre for Innovative Ageing. The successful candidate will be encouraged to work collaboratively with staff throughout the Faculty.

You can read more about the benefits of working at Swansea University here:

http://www.swansea.ac.uk/personnel/new-staff/benefits-of-working-at-swansea/

Dr Aimee Grant, an Autistic academic, received funding of £2.4 million from the Wellcome Trust to work with Autistic UK and Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales on an eight year project.   The aim of the associated post is to undertake longitudinal qualitative research with 25 Autistic people in peri-menopause.

You will be responsible for interviewing each participant up to ten times each over a period of five years.  Interviews will be facilitated through the use of individually tailored creative methods, to centre the participants’ experiences.  The study has been adequately costed so that the research team have time to build supportive and reciprocal relationships with participants to facilitate long-term engagement with the study.

There will also be opportunities for the researchers to engage in development opportunities that meet their long-term career aims, and an inclusive publication policy.

We are looking for a self-motivated research assistant who can be an integral part of this project, meeting the criteria on the job description. All applicants should be able to demonstrate strong knowledge of Autism, in a neurodiversity affirming paradigm, including as an Autistic person, personal experience, research experience or work experience. Ideally you will have experience in publishing and/or grant capture specifically in this area. Furthermore, you will have a knowledge of the social model of disability and the neurodiversity movement; and have a commitment to valuing the perspectives of the Autistic community.

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all of its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

We have an under-representation of men in the area of research and would particularly welcome applications from men for this position. We also have an under representation of individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds and would encourage applications from these groups. Appointments will always be made on merit.