Research Assistant (fixed term)

We are currently seeking to appoint a Research Assistant to join our vibrant and multidisciplinary team at NIHR MindTech MedTech Co-operative. The role holder will work on the Digital Youth research programme. Digital Youth is a £4M Medical Research Council (MRC) Programme Grant. This research has been funded as part of a £24M investment by UK Research and Innovation into improving the mental health and wellbeing of adolescents in the UK, and aims to address the major societal challenge of building a safe and supportive online environment to protect and promote young people’s mental health. The programme involves eight Universities, leading charity, industry, and healthcare organisations in the UK as well as a number of international partners.

Your primary responsibility will be to work with the the researchers Dr Camilla Babbage and Dr Jo Lockwood to support the project. The role holder will work closely with Dr Babbage on the SPARX-UK Trial. The SPARX (Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic, X-factor thoughts) pilot, feasibility trial is examining the feasibility of conducting a future definitive randomised controlled trial of a digital serious game for adolescents with mild to moderate depression. The role will be to undertake supervised research for this MRC-funded trial, led from the University of Nottingham.

Your primary responsibility will be to work with the study Investigators, trial team and key stakeholders to ensure the efficient development and delivery of the trial. The role holder will work very closely with adolescents with depression and their families. This will involve contacting families to participate in the trial, conducting baseline and follow up assessments, and writing letters to clinicians and families relating to the trial. The role holder will also support the Trial Manager with the trial master file, disseminating research to academic and lay audiences, writing reports to the trial sponsor, and attending and contributing to meetings. You will be responsible for ensuring that the study protocol and regulatory requirements are followed for each of the individual components of the research study.

You will also work closely with Dr Lockwood on the CaTS-APP, helping to develop a digital version of an established research tool to be used in clinical or other frontline settings. You will support in the co-creation and testing of a prototype tool with young people, practitioners and computer scientists to support improved identification, understanding and support for self-harm in young people.

The post is offered on a fixed term contract until 31 August 2025. Hours of work are full-time (36.25 hours per week) ; however applications are also welcome from candidates wishing to work part-time (minimum 29 hours per week). Please specify in your application if you wish to work part time and the number of preferred hours. Job share arrangements may be considered.

Requests for secondment from internal candidates may be considered on the basis that prior agreement has been sought from both your current line manager and the manager of your substantive post, if you are already undertaking a secondment role.

Please note the interviews for this post will take place on the 7th October. If successful after shortlisting you will be informed of your interview time on the 4th October.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Camilla Babbage. Email [email protected]. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

Closing Date: 03 Oct 2024
Category: Research and Teaching (R&T)