Research Assistant/Associate: SWEET-PLUS, Newcastle upon Tyne

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Research Assistant/Associate: SWEET-PLUS, Newcastle upon Tyne

Client:

Newcastle University

Location:

Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Reference:

200ab52f2294

Job Views:

7

Posted:

22.02.2025

Job Description:

Research Assistant Salary: £32,546 - £34,132 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 17 March 2025

The Role

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic research assistant/associate with well-developed qualitative skills to support delivery of a project developing a support package to help women with breast cancer take a new type of drug (CDK4/6 inhibitors) as prescribed.

This new study, called SWEET-PLUS, is a collaboration between Newcastle and Oxford Brookes Universities. It will explore what helps and hinders women with early breast cancer to keep taking CDK4/6 inhibitors. We will use that information to develop, with patients, a support tool to help women take these drugs as intended.

The project has three phases. Phase 1 will involve in-depth interviews with ~25 women with breast cancer who have experience of these drugs. Phase 2 will involve focus groups with ~20 health professionals about their experiences of prescribing CDK4/6 inhibitors and how/what they advise women about stopping/continuing. Phase 3 involves working with patients to design a support tool.

This is a full-time post available from 1st June 2025 for a fixed term of 18 months in the first instance.

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Professor Linda Sharp for an informal discussion.

Please note that Newcastle University is a campus-based university; while blended working arrangements may be possible, we would be unlikely to consider applicants who wish to work entirely remotely.

You will join the REACH team (Research on Equity, Access and Cancer Health outcomes) which is a multi-disciplinary applied cancer research team in the Population Health Science Institute, within the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and carry out the project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements
• Determine appropriate research methodologies, with advice and support where required
• Arrange, undertake, and lead analysis of phase 1 interviews, phase 2 focus groups, and phase 3 co-design workshops
• Liaise with clinical sites over set-up and R&D approvals, and link with other organisations (eg charities) to ensure recruitment of diverse groups of participants
• Maintain an up-to-date overview of the relevant literature
• Arrange and participate in project meetings
• Support Patient and Public Involvement activities for the project
• Present research findings in appropriate fora and contribute to writing-up papers from the project and other dissemination activities
• Contribute actively to other activities of the REACH team (eg team meetings, journal club), the Institute and Faculty
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
• Work with support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other members of the project team, REACH team, and Institute

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Significant experience of applying qualitative research methods for data collection (e.g., undertaking one-to-one interviews or focus groups) and analysis
• Experience of recruiting research participants to studies in a healthcare, social care or other similar setting
• Proven organisational skills, including in working with patients or other vulnerable populations and healthcare professionals
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills, which are required for working sensitively and effectively with cancer survivors, and health professionals
• Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills, as required
• Detailed subject knowledge (e.g., breast cancer, cancer survivorship, behaviour change) in the area of research
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others
• Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment
• Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications

Qualifications

• For appointment at Research Assistant level: a Masters degree in health sciences, public health, health psychology, social sciences or a related field is required. Working towards a PhD in a relevant field would be a significant advantage
• For appointment at Research Associate level: A PhD in the research area (e.g., health sciences, public health, health psychology, social sciences) is required

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.