Job description

This post provides an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Research Associate to work on a mixed-methods evaluation of health-based Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) models. This study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC). The study aims to evaluate the implementation of IDVA models in different health settings and, through utilising improvement science techniques, generate practical guidance on the successful implementation of this model in settings with maternity services.  

The study will make an important contribution to health care and methodological developments in this field. The study is being led by King’s College London in collaboration with researchers at the North East and North Cumbria ARC, the South West Peninsula ARC and the Yorkshire and Humber ARC. In addition to academic partners, we have a range of stakeholders involved in all aspects of the study including survivors and third-sector representatives.  

The evaluation, which started in September 2021, consists of three studies: (1) a 

service mapping exercise of IDVA models in health settings that include maternity services; (2) a world café event which scopes out how to support the successful implementation of IDVA models; (3) an evaluation of three health Trusts that deliver the IDVA model to assess their success in making health-based IDVA provision relevant for maternity services.

The successful post-holder will interview health professionals for the mapping exercise; facilitate the world café event; recruit and interview Trust staff, commissioners, and IDVA programme staff; and conduct surveys with IDVAs and women who have used IDVAs. The post-holder will also undertake documentary analyses.  

The successful post-holder will be a mixed-methods researcher and will have experience of conducting health research, including recruiting and interviewing service users. They will possess the skills to ensure the successful planning and execution of the project. They will have excellent communication and presentation skills. Applications from candidates who have experience of conducting research with people who have experienced violence and abuse are welcome. 

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 21 months 

This is a full-time post

Key responsibilities

• Collecting, managing and analysing/interpreting qualitative and quantitative data, including data from semi-structured interviews, documentary analyses and surveys  
• Supporting research ethics and site governance approvals  
• Liaising with site governance leads to ensure the successful implementation of the evaluation studies 
• Supporting senior members of the team and the Lead Investigator to deliver the outputs of the project within the agreed project schedule 
• Attending and contributing to study meetings, including presenting information on research progress 
• Contributing to study reports, presentations, academic publications and updates for the study team and the funder  
• Demonstrating excellent communication skills and communication channels with study sites, study participants and research colleagues (including collaborators) 
• Demonstrating initiative and autonomy in the management of day-to-day tasks and ongoing workloads, to ensure they are prioritised and completed within agreed timeframes 
• Anticipating and managing problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines 
• Responding to concerns raised by study participants in a proactive manner and take remedial action as necessary, following consultation with senior colleagues 
• Contributing to the management of information with full awareness of needs for confidentiality and data protection 
• Demonstrating clear attention to detail and an organised and accurate approach to recording, storing and managing the data acquired 

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.  

Essential criteria

1.      A first degree (2.1 or above) in psychology or other relevant discipline  

2.      Completed a PhD or close to completing a PhD in a relevant discipline 

3.      Good oral and written communication skills to present information clearly and concisely to colleagues, participants and external stakeholders  

4.      Skills in collecting, managing and analysing qualitative and quantitative data 

5.      Skills in using qualitative and quantitative software (e.g. NVivo and SPSS, STATA) 

6.      Skills in ensuring daily tasks and ongoing workloads are prioritised and completed in agreed timeframes 

7.      Experience of obtaining research ethics and governance approvals 

8.      Experience of liaising with study sites and stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and delivery of research activities 

9.      Experience of recruiting for and conducting qualitative and quantitative research with people who use health services and with health professionals

10.  Demonstrable interest in service responses to interpersonal violence and abuse

11.  Strong attention to detail and ability to work to a protocol

12.  Willingness to travel to research meetings and sites outside of the London, including the south-west and north of England

Desirable criteria

13.  Experience of conducting sensitive research interviews with people who have experienced violence and abuse 

14.  Experience of implementation science methods 

15.  MSc in research methods or equivalent professional experience 

16.  Publication in peer-reviewed journals 

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. 

Further information

For an informal discussion or to find out more about the role please contact Dr Kylee Trevillion (kylee.trevillion@kcl.ac.uk ). Shortlisted candidates should expect to give a brief presentation at a panel interview.  

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance.