Research Associate – School of Social Policy and Society – 104677 – Grade 6 Full Time NEW

Position Details

Health Services Management Centre, School of Social Policy and Society in the College of Social Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £33,002 to £35,608 with potential progression once in post to £39,906

Grade: 6

Part Time, 0.5 FTE (18.75 hours per week)

Fixed Term contract up to March 2027

Closing date: 6 th July

Background

This post involves working as a Research Associate on a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) funded clinical trial testing the effectiveness of group-based psychological therapy for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who have a history of engaging in harmful sexual behaviour. The successful candidate will join an established team of researchers and clinicians working across the United Kingdom including staff from Norwich Clinical Trials Unit, the University of Kent at Canterbury, and The University of Birmingham. Those who wish to apply for this post are encouraged to visit: https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR128550 and familiarise themselves with the trial protocol. This post requires travel across all nations of the United Kingdom.

The post is situated in the Intellectual Disabilities Research Institute (IDRIS) in the School of Social Policy and Society. IDRIS is an applied cross-University research institute established in October 2024 with the appointment of Professor Richard Hastings as 125th Anniversary Chair and Professor of Psychology Health and Social Care. IDRIS also includes, in Social Policy and Society, three other professorial staff, an associate professor, two senior research fellows, a full time manager, a full time administrator, and a number of research fellows, research associates, and PhD students. Most staff are employed on/funded through external research grants especially from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Other members of IDRIS are based in Schools and Departments across the Colleges of the University. IDRIS works in close co-productive relationships with people with intellectual disabilities, family carers, and with disability advocacy and professional organisations. IDRIS’s research and policy/practice impact is across the lifespan and across sectors (education, health, social care). IDRIS staff are engaged mainly in research on the development and evaluation of interventions and services to support individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and/or projects
• Operate within area of specialism
• Contribute to publications

Main Duties

• Work as a Research Associate on a NIHR funded clinical trial; specifically, a randomised controlled trial of group for men with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and harmful sexual behaviour: the HaSB-IDD trial.
• Contribute to the analysis and capture of research data, including the preparation of reports and publications.
• Interviewing men with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who have a history of harmful sexual behaviour in different settings (e.g., community or psychiatric hospital).
• Deal with problems that may affect the timely achievement of research objective and deadlines.
• Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of the research
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture

Person Specification

• Undergraduate degree in psychology or a related subject area
• Ability to analyse information and communicate effectively with individuals who have difficulties with communication
• Ability to access and organise resources successfully
• Experience of working with autistic children and adults and children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their carers
• Knowledge and experience of the research provisions within the Mental Capacity Act, 2005. Experience of working with individuals judged to lack capacity to make decisions about whether they wish to take part in research
• Experience of working on funded research studies and experience of both qualitative and quantitative research methods

DBS Required

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Informal enquiries to Peter Langdon, email: p.langdon@bham.ac.uk

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .