Research Associate, Addictions

Job ID: 019244

Salary: £38,304 - £45,026 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance 

Posted: 24-Mar-2021

Closing date: 20-Apr-2021

Business unit: IoPPN

Department: Addictions

Contact details: Gail Gilchrist or Joanne Neale , gail.gilchrist@kcl.ac.uk or joanne.neale@kcl.ac.uk 

Denmark Hill Campus   Research    

Job description
We are looking for an experienced researcher to work as part of a UK team conducting a Realist Evaluation of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Injecting Equipment Provision (IEP) services across the UK. The aim of the study is to understand the contextual factors that impact on the use and effectiveness (engagement, retention and harm reduction) of opiate substitution therapy and needle and syringe service provision models for high-risk people who inject drugs in the UK as well as the cost of provision of these models. The study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment Program and is being led by The University of Dundee in collaboration with King's College London and the Universities of Bristol and Stirling. Key responsibilities of this 18-month position are to recruit and consent participants to the qualitative component of the project, conduct and analyse qualitative interviews with drug treatment and harm reduction service providers and people who inject drugs, and contribute to writing up the study reports, academic manuscripts and other outputs.

The study will be conducted in four case study sites (to be confirmed) around the UK. The study is led by Dr Alison Munro from the University of Dundee and includes researchers from the Universities of Stirling, Dundee, Bristol and Kings College London. The person appointed will be based at the National Addiction Centre, Kings College London, under the supervision of Professors Gail Gilchrist and Joanne Neale, and work across 2 of the 4 study sites.

The successful candidate will undertake standard research-related administrative tasks, including securing local study approvals; recruit and consent participants into the study; liaise with service providers and policy makers; conduct qualitative interviews and focus groups with service providers and service users; undertake qualitative data analysis, including managing data using software such as NVivo; and contribute to project publications, report writing, and other dissemination activities.

The job involves independent working and travel to research sites, requiring an NHS research passport, and DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) application for work with vulnerable adults. Due to coronavirus restrictions, research may, however, need to be conducted remotely.

This is a full-time post, a fixed term contract for 12 months, however two part-time posts will be considered.

Key responsibilities

• The study will be conducted in four case study sites (to be confirmed) around the UK. The study is led by Dr Alison Munro from the University of Dundee and includes researchers from the Universities of Stirling, Dundee, Bristol and Kings College London. The person appointed will be based at the National Addiction Centre, Kings College London, under the supervision of Professors Gail Gilchrist and Joanne Neale, and work across 2 of the 4 study sites.
• The successful candidate will undertake standard research-related administrative tasks, including securing local study approvals; recruit and consent participants into the study; liaise with service providers and policy makers; conduct qualitative interviews and focus groups with service providers and service users; undertake qualitative data analysis, including managing data using software such as NVivo; and contribute to project publications, report writing, and other dissemination activities.
• The job involves independent working and travel to research sites, requiring an NHS research passport, and DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) application for work with vulnerable adults. Due to coronavirus restrictions, research may, however, need to be conducted remotely.
• Work collaboratively with other researchers in the other universities to deliver the project in accordance with the terms of the grant and study protocol.
• Liaise and maintain good links with participants and services to maximise recruitment and retention in the study.
• Assist in securing any local research approvals (e.g. ethics and R&D).
• Recruit and consent participants into the study from the community, drug treatment and harm reduction services and pharmacies.
• Conduct interviews and focus groups in the community and within drug treatment and harm reduction services and other relevant locations.
• Arrange transcription of interviews/focus group data, anonymise transcripts, enter data into NVivo or other software, code and analyse data.
• Contribute to the write up of reports, academic manuscripts and policy briefings.
• Ensure that all study data are recorded, stored, transferred, managed and destroyed in accordance with the study protocol and GPDR, data protection legislation, policies and codes of practice.
• Conduct the study in accordance with NHS research ethics committee and R&D Office requirements and in accordance with the UK Policy Framework on Health and Social Care Research.
• Contribute to the dissemination of research findings.
• Take advantage of early career researcher training and development opportunities and take part in individual and peer supervision and support.
• Ensure that deadlines are adhered to and the project is completed as per the study protocol and on time.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience
Essential criteria

• A postgraduate qualification or submission imminent (PhD, MSc or postgraduate diploma) in a relevant area e.g. psychology, health services research, sociology or related discipline
• Training in realist evaluation research methods
• Strong academic record
• Understanding of realist evaluation research methods
• Good computer skills with knowledge and experience of data management 
• Good academic writing and report writing skills
• Ability to travel within London and the UK
• Experience in health and/or social services research
• Experience of conducting qualitative research interviews and analysis 
• Experience of conducting realist evaluation interviews and analysis 
• Excellent organisational skills with experience of co-ordinating research projects and data collection 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team 
• Effective project management skills, including the ability to organise work to meet deadlines 
• Demonstrated experience of conducting qualitative research 
• Excellent communication skills both written and oral (including the ability to communicate with a range of different stakeholders, such as research participants healthcare staff and managers) 
• Willingness to undertake field work in community and practice settings 
• Understanding of the issues involved in working with people who use substances 

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of addiction treatment and/or harm reduction services 
• Knowledge and experience of NHS Ethics and R&D approval processes 
• Experience in conducting qualitative research with people who use drugs or other groups with multiple disadvantage 
• Experience of patient and public involvement (PPI) in research
• Experience of writing for publication in health/social sciences journals 
• Experience of using data management software (e.g. NVivo, EndNote, Bibliographic reference libraries) 
• Experience of working directly and achieving results with a wide range of stakeholders 
• Demonstrable research experience in substance use  

Further information 
Interviews to take place w/b 3rd May 2021.

Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.