King's College London

Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity for a Research Associate to join a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded project led by a midwifery lecturer/researcher. The post will be based in the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care.

This research study will provide the necessary developmental work required for a future grant application. In this project, we are focusing on PPI/staff engagement and the conduct of a realist review into safety in maternity care. Our framing is informed by ‘Safety II’ principles which centres understanding what works well and what goes wrong, rather than focusing exclusively on what goes wrong on and why. Therefore, the realist review will aim to explore the best available evidence of ‘what works well, for who, why and in what circumstances’ to inform future work of ascertaining where it works well to study those maternity units in greater depth.

This study begins 1st September 2024 and will run for 15 months. During that time, we will conduct extensive PPI /staff engagement activities, a realist review, develop an assessment tool and write a further grant application to carry out primary research. Therefore, this post requires systematic review experience, with the ideal candidate having experience of conducting realist reviews.

The post requires qualitative research skills and is designed to support the successful set-up and running of the research project. The postholder will have the opportunity to contribute to a range of tasks related to the PPI/staff engagement activities, organising workshops, conducting a realist review (searches, data gathering, analysis, write up, publication preparation), developing a novel assessment tool with stakeholder involvement and grant application development. There will be opportunities to develop skills and knowledge in these areas.

The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, have attention to detail and be proactive. They will have an interest in using research to help improve care. They will be very organised with excellent communication and engagement skills. They will be able to work well both with others and independently, show initiative when faced with challenges, and have good problem-solving skills.

The postholder will work under the supervision of Principal Investigator Dr Claire Feeley and Joint Principal Investigator, Professor Soo Downe. They will be required to travel to team meetings (Waterloo, London). The post holder also will have the opportunity to work as part of King’s hybrid working model, where you can work between your home and the office throughout the week.

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract for 15 months.

This is a part-time post - 60% full time equivalent.

Key responsibilities

• To assist with project set-up and delivery
• To attend regular meetings with the project lead, wider team, and advisory groups
• To actively promote and support public and patient (PPI) and staff/stakeholder involvement in the project
• To work closely with the project lead, PPI advisors, and wider collaborators to ensure the smooth running of the project
• To assist in developing content and materials for the project
• To lead the realist review with PI support
• To lead the assessment tool development with PI support
• To lead and/or assist in writing up and disseminating study findings through articles, blogs, social media, and presentations
• To assist grant application writing
• Any other duties appropriate to the grade and project as agreed with supervisor

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

1. First degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. midwifery, psychology, social sciences, profession allied to healthcare provision) at least at 2.i level or higher.
2. PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g. midwifery, psychology, social sciences, profession allied to healthcare provision). 
3. Experience in a range of qualitative systematic review approaches including realist reviews. 
4. Excellent record keeping, high attention to detail and high standards of accuracy.
5. Excellent presentation and communication skills (written & verbal).
6. Ability to use a range of software packages with skill and precision.
7. Being self-motivated, proactive and willing to work independently, and part of a larger interdisciplinary team.
8. Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, actively addressing areas of potential bias.

Desirable criteria

1. Experience of developing/delivering Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) activities/events (in a research context).
2. Knowledge of the key safety issues/concerns/contentions in UK maternity care.
3. Engaging in multidisciplinary research projects.
4. Strong publication record.
5. Previous experience with software packages e.g., Covidence, Rayyan and/or NVIVO, MAXQDA (or similar).

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

Candidates should submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert.

We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups including those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups, the LGBTQI+ community, those who are neurodiverse and those with a disability. 

King’s considers the professional and personal development of our staff a priority and we offer an inspiring range of opportunities for training and career progression. Our Organisational Development team provide in-house and bespoke learning.