Research Fellow – Qualitative (2.5 Days Week)

Salary: £46,658 – £49,709 per year

LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY
Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive: Professor David Phoenix
SCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCES
TITLE: RESEARCH FELLOW (Qualitative)
The University
London South Bank University (LSBU) is one of London’s largest and oldest universities. LSBU is an enterprising, civic university that tackles real-world challenges. Since 1892, LSBU has been providing relevant, accredited and professionally recognised education as well as research that has impact in the real world.
Academic Structure
The University has six schools of study:
Applied Science
Arts & Creative Industries
Built Environment & Architecture
Business
Engineering
Law & Social Science
The Institute of Health and Social Care comprises an additional two Schools, Nursing and Midwifery and Community Health.
Teaching and the main administration is conducted at the Southwark Campus for all courses, except the professional courses in nursing, midwifery, health and social care, which are also offered at Havering. There is a new campus in Croydon, which opened in September 2021.
Academic Facilities
The Perry Library at the Southwark Campus houses over 400,000 books and provides access to over 58,000 journals in print and online. As well as staying open till midnight during term, members of the University can access its electronic resources via the internet. The Learning Resources Centre provides over 400 personal computers on open access (also until midnight) together with training, help, and advice. There are also libraries and IT provision at the health campuses.
JOB SPECIFICATION
School /Department: School of Health and Social Care
Job Title/Grade: Research Fellow – academic grade 7
Reporting to: Professor Daniel Frings
An exciting opportunity for a researcher with a background in trial / evaluation management. The post is funded for 0.5 WTE (2.5 days week) for 24 months March 2022 – March 2024.
Purpose of the post:
LSBU has been awarded a grant to evaluate the efficacy of an Artificial Intelligence stress cardiograph analysis system (produced by Ultromics) within NHS settings. This is an AI platform which seeks to meet the strategic aims set out in the NHS Long Term Plan. The technology is one of number who successfully secured an ‘AI in Health and Care Award in 2021 by the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC) in partnership with NHSX and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
The post holder will join a team of six academics including Prof Daniel Frings, Prof Nicola Thomas, Prof Patrick Callaghan, Prof Chris Flood, Dr Adele Stewart-Lord and Dr Enrico. The team is led by Prof Daniel Frings. The team will also include a project manager, a quantitative research fellow and a data manager.
The person appointed to this role will support the PI and individual work-package leads in by implementing project plans to achieve our deliverables to both time and budget. Core areas of research activity included in this role include the delivery of a person centred work package including interviews and focus groups to evaluate the fit and acceptability of the intervention.
MAIN ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Research Fellow will discuss an appropriate and reasonable balance of activities with their line manager at their annual review, to contribute to the needs of the project, and to support their personal development. Key roles activities include;
1. With support from the Principal Investigator, co-investigators and other team members, implement the project plan to achieve the programme deliverables to time and budget. Activities include (but are not limited to);
* Prepare and submit ethics applications, pre-registrations, etc for primary and secondary data analysis
* Collect data from focus groups, interviews and other qualitative data sources
* Conduct primarily qualitative data analyses
* Support the project’s PPIE (Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement) activities
* Produce bespoke project reports and delivering presentations to stakeholders.
* Support the write up of publications and dissemination of research findings producing high quality research outputs, including publications in peer-reviewed journals at acceptable level of volume and academic excellence.
* Provide regular progress updates to the Principal Investigator, project and stakeholders to ensure delivery on-time to specific quality and cost requirements.
* Make presentations at conferences and stakeholder events, and disseminate research through informal routes via the internet, the media and other forms of public engagement.
* Liaise with research sites (may include site visits), funders, PPI groups, the technology company
* Attend events, to promote the teams and where appropriate, present research.
1. Conduct other duties in line with the role as may reasonably be requested.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Candidates are expected to meet most of the following selection criteria at a level commensurate with all core activities and some of the higher level expectations as set out above for a grade 7 appointment.
Essential criteria
Qualification
* PhD in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional qualifications or experience
Knowledge and Experience
* Knowledge and experience of service evaluation/trial management in health settings
* Knowledge and experience of statistical analysis methodologies in health settings
* Advanced qualitative data analysis skills

* Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines, and manage a project workload
* Strong IT skills and ability to utilise a variety of software (i.e Nvivo, LWIC, etc)
* Able to demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, equality and diversity, and its practical application within the context of the University’s Behavioural Framework.
* Ability to scope and subsequently implement the delivery of identified parts of large projects
Competencies:
* Teamwork: Actively seek to promote positive and open working relationships, co-operating and liaising with others to achieve goals. Building and maintaining an environment of co-operation and trust within the team, Division and Institute.
* Communication: Communicate regularly, clearly and effectively with staff using the full range of communication methods: face to face; electronically and in writing.
* Customer Service Excellence: Actively seek feedback on your work and respond to it in a positive way that meets the needs of our students, staff, clients and partners.
* Complex Analytical Reasoning: Assess issues from a range of different perspectives combined with an ability to understand and reason using both qualitative and quantitative data.
* Initiative: Be willing to go beyond the normal constraints, and apply lateral thinking approaches to problem-solving. To question and challenge the status quo in ways which improve quality and performance.
Desirable criteria
* Experience of undertaking evaluation projects with public sector partners
* Experience in research in NHS settings, including gatekeepr permission, data collection and collaborations
* Demonstrable track record in publishing in quality peer-reviewed journals, and presenting at conferences
* Willingness to travel across the UK for project delivery activities as required
* Willingness to work flexible hours as the project dictates
NOTES TO APPLICANTS
Offers of appointment are subject to proof of permission to work in the UK in accordance with
the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 and original documentary evidence will be required.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
This post is graded at Grade 7. The full-time salary range is £46,658 – £49,709(full -time ) per year.
Hours of work are 18.75 per week (0.5 WTE), worked from 9.00am to 5.00 pm, 5 days per week, with one hour unpaid for lunch each day. Exact working schedule is to be decided at commencement, but can be flexible. Negotiated home working is possible (dependent on Covid-19 restrictions and project needs)
Annual Leave is 13 working days per annum (pro-rata) plus public and bank holidays and days when the University is closed.
This is a fixed term appointment available for 24 months.
The successful candidate will serve a 20 week probationary period and an interim report will be made at the end of 12 week’s service.
Pension Scheme: The University offers automatic membership to a defined contribution (DC)
scheme which is operated through Aviva. Employees will be automatically enrolled into the
default option where the annual fund charge is no more than 0.75%. Meaning you won’t pay
over the odds for your pension to be managed by Aviva. The benefits under the Scheme are
based on length of membership and Career average salary. Contribution rates vary according to the level of pensionable pay.
All appointments are subject to the receipt of references satisfactory to the University. It is standard procedure to apply for references only for the successful candidate. Offers of appointment are subject to proof of permission to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 and original documentary evidence will be required.
The successful candidate will be required to complete a pre-employment medical screening questionnaire and may be required to undergo a medical examination prior to a written offer of employment being made.
RETURN OF APPLICATION FORM
A further letter will be sent only to short listed candidates. If you have not heard from the University within three weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY STATEMENT
The University is committed to equality of opportunity both as an employer and as an educational institution.
The University will promote good relations among its staff and students and will create conditions which contribute to the full development and potential of all its members.
NO SMOKING POLICY
Applicants will wish to note that the University has a no smoking policy which means that smoking will not be permitted anywhere in the University buildings