Research Fellow (SCRiPT)
School of Health & Social Work / Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care
FTE: 1.0 FTE 37hrs pw (job-share or part-time considered)
Duration of Contract: Fixed term for 24 months
Salary: UH7 £34,304pa to £40,927pa dependent on skills and experience
Location: College Lane Campus, Hatfield, University of Hertfordshire
We are seeking a highly motivated Research Fellow to work on the SCRiPT study (Enhancing research capacity in adult social care in the East of England: testing the feasibility of Social Care Research in Practice Teams). This post is funded through a research grant from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR).
The SCRiPT study is a partnership with adult social care at Hertfordshire County Council and Norfolk County Council. The project will create and test four Communities of Practice (Research in Practice Teams – RiPTs) to increase research skills among social care staff. RiPTs will carry out research in the following priority areas for adult social care:
- The impact of occupational therapy on the quality of life of people with learning disabilities and their carers
- The role of occupational therapy in effective reablement programmes
- The acceptability to service users of data sharing through assistive technology
- The impact of Discharge to Assess pathways on the wellbeing of people with dementia
The appointee will be based within CRIPACC. As a Centre we will continue to work remotely for the foreseeable future but the successful applicant must be prepared to travel to the University when required and to travel as necessary to undertake their research responsibilities.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
You will take a lead role in the evaluation of the feasibility and impact of the Research in Practice Team model and assist in the recruitment to and development of the RiPTs. You will also assist in developing and overseeing a training package to support the RiPT leads and their teams to develop as research competent professionals.
You will be working in partnership with colleagues across Hertfordshire and Norfolk; developing relationships with social care providers.
Skills and Experience
You will have a thorough understanding of social care policy and provision in England; experience of collaborating with social care and, as appropriate, health care and public health professionals. You will have skills in qualitative and participatory research methods and some knowledge of undertaking evaluations and of quantitative methods. Experience in building public involvement in research is essential.
Qualifications Required
You will have a minimum of an undergraduate honours degree at a minimum 2:2 (or equivalent) in a social science related discipline, plus either a PhD (or close to completion) in an area related to applied social care or health research; or evidence of equivalent independent original qualitative and/or quantitative research experience.
Please see the Job Description / Person Specification, and associated Annex, for more details and further information.
Informal enquiries
Candidates are encouraged to get in touch; please contact Dr Jennifer Lynch, Senior Research Fellow, j.lynch5@herts.ac.uk
Closing date: 16/02/22
Interviews: 07/03/22
Reference: 039115
Advert placed: 19/01/22
The University offers every individual the opportunity to succeed.
Apply online https://www.herts.ac.uk/staff/careers-at-herts