Job Description

Job Title:

Research Associate in Neuroscience

Posting Start Date:

21/07/2025

Job Id:

1326

School/Department:

School of Medicine & Population Health

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (On site)

Contract Type:

Fixed-term

Salary per annum ():

38,249.00

Closing Date:

10/08/2025
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.



We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

Join a world-leading team developing life-changing treatments for people with MND

Working in multidisciplinary Better Outcomes for MND team based at the Sheffield Institute for Neuroscience (SITraN). We are an award-winning international research and clinical care centre for developing evidenced based improvements to the care and quality of life of people with motor neuron disease and their families.


The main role of this post will be to support and lead on delivery of an innovative process evaluation embedded within a 12-site UK-wide implementation trial of non-invasive ventilation in people with MND called DENIM. They will also be the PPIE day to day lead for the trial (https://www.denim-mnd.co.uk) and will support PPIE activities for other Better Outcomes in MND projects. We are looking for a researcher with a strong background in qualitative methodologies and implementation science and the ability to work independently and within a team, to collect data, analyse and report data travelling to NHS sites across England. This will consist of focused ethnography and qualitative interviews. They will be also involved in other research projects in long-term neurological conditions with similar methodologies.



We are a growing, diverse team of researchers and clinicians with a strong focus on equality and diversity both within research participation and within staff career development. Staff have been successfully supported to apply for their own research funding and training opportunities with the group. Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact Esther Hobson (e.hobson@sheffield.ac.uk) for an informal chat to discuss the project prior to application.

Main duties and responsibilities

Undertake research in line with project requirements. This will include conducting face to face and remote qualitative interviews and ethnographic observations with patients, carers and staff at 12 NHS sites across England (2-3 visits per site). Manage data collection, analysis and storage on a day-to-day basis together with other researchers. Use methodologies including CFIR, ERIC and NPT to support the trial process evaluation. Manage the day-to-day work of the DENIM PPIE group and lead on dissemination and PPIE public engagement. Work independently and as part of the DENIM and wider Better Outcomes in MND team to deliver the research objectives in line with the project outlines. Liaise closely with other academics, advisers, R&D departments and administrators relevant to the study. Take a lead role in the analysis, interpretation and writing up of process evaluation data, underpinned by behavioural science approaches. Read and review literature as appropriate. Assist in the writing of the project reports, publications and future grant applications. Contribute to conference presentations, research advisory group meetings. Attend and contribute to project meetings and research advisory group meetings. Support project reporting requirements, including research project progress reports and finance management, reporting and grant proposals. Work with and support other members of the team, including in the co-supervision of students working on the project. Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

A PhD in a relevant health science such as psychology or medicine, and methodological discipline (applicants near completion of their PhD are welcome to apply) or equivalent experience


Essential


Application


Ability to conduct and analyse qualitative interviews and observations with little/no supervision


Essential


Application/Interview


Experience of conducting qualitative health-services research with people with long-term health conditions


Essential


Application/Interview


Experience of delivering high quality research


Essential


Application/Interview


Excellent interpersonal and communication skills necessary to develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues within the University and externally, with researchers, clinicians and members of the public involved in the studies


Essential


Application/Interview


Ability to travel to 12 NHS sites in the UK to conduct face to face data collection


Essential


Application/Interview


Experience conducting a range of qualitative methods, including interviews and focused ethnography (i.e. observations, in-situ interviews)


Essential


Application/Interview


Experience conducting PPIE and/or public engagement


Essential


Application/Interview


Experience of behavioural science and implementation science methodologies and process evaluations, in particular CIFR, ERIC, NPT


Desirable


Application/Interview


Experience conducting research with people with a long-term neurological disease and/or their carers and/or long-term respiratory disease


Desirable


Application/Interview

Further Information

Grade

7

Salary

38,249 per annum

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

Fixed term until end of January 2028

Line manager

Senior Lecturer in Neurology

Direct reports

None

Our website

www.sheffield.ac.uk/sitran



For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Esther Hobson: on

e.hobson@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in August 2025. This will consist of a presentation, an activity and an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Dr Esther Hobson.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().

What we offer

A minimum of 41days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. Generous pension scheme. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways A range of generous family-friendly policies + paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
+ support for those going through the menopause
+ paid time off and support for fertility treatment
+ and more





We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record

An

enhanced with barred lists

DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).



Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).


We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.