Research Assistant in the Department of Addictions

Job id: 079386. Salary: £36,532 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.

Posted: 20 November 2023. Closing date: 27 November 2023.

Business unit: IoPPN. Department: Addictions.

Contact details:Polly Radcliffe. [email protected]

Location: Denmark Hill Campus. Category: Research.

Job description

This role is for a qualitative researcher to work with a UK team of researchers on an NIHR funded study: ‘Evaluating Models of care, best practice and care pathways for drug dependent women and their infants, from preconception to 18 months postnatal’ or the Stepping Stones Study.  The study is jointly led by Dr Polly Radcliffe at the National Addiction Centre, KCL and Professor Helen Cheyne of the Nursing Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals Research Unit at the University of Stirling.  The study has involved conducting  a mixed methods systematic review of interventions for women who use substances in the perinatal period, and conducting longitudinal qualitative interviews with 36 perinatal women who use or are in treatment for substance use in four sites in the UK. Using a range of qualitative research methods including serial qualitative interviews and timelines drawn by the research participants we have explored women’s views and experiences of models of care and how services can be improved.  

The successful candidate will assist with completing the systematic review and with the coding and analysis of qualitative data using Framework and thematic analysis and utilising software such as NVivo and excel. They will contribute to report writing, other dissemination activities; and research-related administrative tasks. The successful candidate will be based in our offices in  London but remote working will also be possible. An NHS research passport, and enhanced DBS application (Disclosure and Barring Service) for work with vulnerable adults and children will be required.

The National Addiction Centre, King’s College is a leading European research centre for addiction research and represents a network of clinicians, researchers and clinical teachers who have a shared commitment to excellence in prevention and treatment work, and to supporting and strengthening national and international endeavours in this field. Over the last 30 years, the NAC has developed a body of research evidence that has informed the development of new treatment services for alcohol, smoking and drug problems in the UK.

This post will be offered on a full-time, fixed term contract until 31st March 2024.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Principal Investigators, research team, sponsor and funder to deliver the project in accordance with the terms of the grant and study protocol.  
• Anonymise, code and analyse data, write up analytic reports.  
• Assist with the organisation and facilitation of public engagement events 
• Organise research team meetings, take minutes and liaise with the Study  Advisory and Coproduction Group as required.
• Ensure that all study data is recorded, stored, transferred, managed and destroyed in accordance with the study protocol and GPDR, data protection legislation, policies and codes of practice.
• Conduct the study in accordance with NHS research ethics committee and R&D Office requirements and in accordance with the UK Policy Framework on Health and Social Care Research.
• Contribute to the dissemination of research findings via conferences, seminars, practitioner workshops and other presentations.
• Work collaboratively with other researchers in the project and the whole project team. 
• Ensure that deadlines are adhered to and the project is completed in line with the study protocol and on time 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria

1.       Undergraduate or Masters in health or social sciences  

2.       Experience of conducting systematic reviews. 

3.       Knowledge of qualitative methods and experience of conducting qualitative research. 

4.       Good analytical and critical thinking skills  

5.       Good computer skills with knowledge and experience of data management 

6.       Excellent written and oral communication skills 

7.       Knowledge or interest in addiction treatment and/or women’s health care

Desirable criteria

1.       Experience of using data management software (e.g. NVivo, SPSS/Excel, EndNote, Bibliographic reference libraries)  

This post is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service Clearance.