Job description & person
specification
Last updated:
January 2015
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title:
Research Fellow
Post number:
Academic Unit/Service:
Faculty of Health Sciences – CLAHRC Wessex
Career pathway:
ERE
*ERE category:
Research focused
Posts responsible to:
Profs Carl May & Alison Richardson (Level 7) Dr Michelle Myall (day to day
management, Level 5)
Posts responsible for:
Not applicable
Post base:
Office-based
Level:
4
Job purpose

To support and progress the development of the work programme of the NIHR CLAHRC
Wessex Complexity, Patient Experience and Organisational Behaviour theme.
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
1.
To carry out tasks for a systematic review including: screening activities; data
extraction and critical appraisal, evidence synthesis and conceptual modelling.
60%
2.
To organise and undertake research activities in sites across the Wessex region.
Including: (a) the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative interview data
(b) the development and application of theoretical model; and (c) to contribute to the
development of simulations to inform practice design.
3.
To support service development in NHS partner Trusts across the Wessex region.
Including Treatment Escalation Plans (TEPs) to communicate and manage treatment
decisions in contexts on clinical uncertainty in acute hospital and primary care
settings; work with the TEPs Project Manager and other University of Southampton
staff to liaise with and support NHS clinicians involved in the study; collect, collate
and analyse routinely collected patient and service data where necessary; and to
support, liaise with, and work with service users and their families participating in
the study.
4.
Participate and contribute to the wider work of the NIHR CLAHRC Wessex Complexity, 10%
Patient Experience and Organisational Behaviour research theme.
20%
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities
% Time
5.
Assist with the organisation of seminars and meetings, and contributing to
dissemination of findings, preparing reports/papers for publications, presenting
results at conferences and meetings, or exhibiting work at other appropriate events.
6.
To undertake administrative tasks associated with research activity including, but not 5%
limited to: (a) drafting internal reports, record keeping, data management,
organization of meetings. (b) implementing relevant statutory, university and NHS
procedures including, but not limited to those related to Data Security and
Management, Good Clinical Practice, Patient procedures required to ensure
protection of confidential patient and other data and documents
7.
Any other duties as allocated by the line manager following consultation with the
post holder and to work on any CLAHRC project as requested by the COO, Research
Director or Director of the CLAHRC.”
5%
Internal and external relationships (including nature and purpose of relationships)
Internal: Close working with the Complexity Theme Leads, team members, and CLAHRC Wessex
Methodological Hub. Liaise with other CLAHRC Wessex staff including Central Team staff.
External: NHS Trust staff; PPI representatives.
Special Requirements
To be available to participate in fieldwork as required by the specified research project.
To attend national and international conferences for the purpose of disseminating research results.
Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working
towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be
applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of
Senior Research Assistant will be given.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications,
knowledge &
experience
(For application at Research
Fellow level) PhD in a social
science or cognate health
sciences discipline.
Research experience related to
health psychology, medical
sociology, health services
research.
(For application at Senior
Research Assistant level) Postgraduate qualification in a social
science or cognate health
sciences discipline.
Evidence of rigorous research
training and strong research
skills.
Evidence of professional
development relative to
opportunity.
Experience of collection and
analysis of quantitative and
qualitative data (literature review
Experience of content analytic
research techniques.
How to be
assessed
Application,
Interview &
references
and fieldwork).
Experience of NHS Ethics and
research governance processes.
Planning &
organising
Able to organise own research
activities to a high quality
standard and to deadlines.
Problem solving
& initiative
Able to develop understanding of Experience of research with health
complex problems and apply inprofessionals, patients and service
depth knowledge to address them. users in healthcare settings.
Management &
teamwork
Able to contribute to management Experience of working in
and administrative processes.
multidisciplinary research settings.
Work effectively in a team,
understanding the strengths and
weaknesses of others to help team
work development.
Communicating
& influencing
Communicate new and complex
Experience of working across
information effectively, both verbal professional boundaries.
and in writing, engaging the
interest and enthusiasm of the
target audience.
Able to present research results at
group meetings and conferences.
Evidence of presentation at local
meetings, national and
international conferences.
Able to write up research results
for publication in leading peerviewed journals.
Evidence of successful writing for
publication.
Able to communicate with a variety
of stakeholders and adapt style to
meet the needs of the audience.
Other skills &
behaviours
Application of relevant Health and
Safety regulations within work
area.
Positive attitude to colleagues.
Keep up to date with relevant
research literature and regularly
update research skills.
Special
requirements
Able to travel to undertake field
work, attend meetings, and to
attend national and international
meetings.
Understand and perform legally
and organisationally mandated
procedures to ensure the security
and confidentiality of research
data.
Current Good Clinical Practice
Training (completed in the last 2
years).
JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
OFFICE-BASED POST
If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU) no further information
needs to be supplied. √
NON-OFFICE BASED POST
If this post has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of VDU) please complete the
analysis below.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify below:

Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
Lone working
## Shift work/night work/on call duties
Occasionally
Frequently
Constantly
(<30% of time)
(30-60% of time)
(> 60% of time)