JOB PURPOSE: LOROS is seeking to appoint a Research Associate to join the enthusiastic and motivated research team to work on a n.....
JOB PURPOSE: LOROS is seeking to appoint a Research Associate to join the enthusiastic and motivated research team to work on a number of exciting projects in palliative and end of life care focusing on older people, family carers and health inequalities. The primary project for this post will be working on the following 3 year study: Developing effective service models for Adult Palliative and end of life care for People with a Learning disability (DAPPLE). The DAPPLE project will start in November 2024 and is funded by the NIHR HS&DR programme (NIHR150160) and led by the Kingston University (CI Prof Irene Tuffrey-Wijne). The wider project team includes colleagues from the Open University and University of Leicester. There are also a wide range of contributing stakeholders, including policy makers, professional organisations, family carers and self advocacy groups. One of the study work streams involves exploration, comparison and contrasting of palliative and end of life care services for people with learning disabilities at four study sites, one of which is Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, hosted at LOROS Hospice. The postholder will be responsible for engagement, participant recruitment, data collection and data analysis. Participant recruitment and data collection will involve any relevant health or social care services or settings (including family settings) within the area. Data collection involves (1) ethnographic case studies of people with learning disabilities who are approaching the end of life, their families, carers, professionals, and service provision; and (2) retrospective case studies of people with learning disabilities who have died. Data collection methods include participant observation, interviews, document analysis and field notes. The postholder will work closely with the wider research team, in particular the ethnographic researchers at the other three Study Sites, with whom there will be regular meetings for ongoing collective data analysis and peer support. As well as co-researchers with learning disabilities, who are employed by Kingston University as part of the research team. The postholder will receive regular supervision and support. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: General Research activities These are the key responsibilities of the job; on occasions you may be required to undertake other duties that commensurate with your grade. Proactively supporting the development of research proposals and study protocols. Engagement with patient and public involvement (PPI) representatives and groups. Recruitment of participants and consenting to research studies Interviews with patients, family members and health and social care staff Questionnaire and Case Report Form development and design To lead in the collection, evaluation, analysis and interpretation of qualitative data, and work autonomously to attain project milestones. Conducting desk-based research including literature review, rapid evidence assessments, database searches and synthesis Organising, facilitating and supporting study meetings and events Presenting information on research progress and outcomes to the research group and relevant stakeholders. Supporting publication and dissemination activity Responsibility for maintaining project site files DAPPLE Study activities You will be expected to work independently under the supervision of the Deputy Lead for Research at LOROS Hospice who is also the site Research Lead for the DAPPLE study. You will also work with others in the LOROS Centre for Excellence research team and support study PIs manage and deliver other projects. Your role will include but not be limited to the following in relation to the DAPPLE study: Be responsible for all research activities related to Study. Organise and lead stakeholder engagement events, involving local learning disability service providers, palliative care services, primary care services, family carers and self-advocates Recruit participants for ethnographic case studies (including participants with learning disabilities) and retrospective case studies (including family carers and professionals). Carry out participant observation, interviews and document analysis. Record field notes. Carry out both independent data analysis and collaborative data analysis across Study Sites, using content analysis, the framework method, and mind-mapping techniques. Ensure adherence to study protocol and administrative requirements. Ensure efficient and effective data management and data storage. Monitor project progress to ensure compliance with and adherence to the project plan and to identify, evaluate and rectify problems. Work with co-researchers with learning disabilities. Take an active role in the preparation and publication of data, reports and information, ensuring that these meet legislative, contractual and ethical requirements. Support the provision of regular and ad hoc information, both written and verbal, to all the project participants, funders, the sponsor and the REC to include annual reports, updates, guidance, commitments and project newsletter/website. Work with the site Project Lead to ensure that the project is meeting its targets, is producing meaningful output and to predict and plan any changes that warrant requests to changes in protocol, funding or time. This may include adapting existing or developing new research methodologies as needed by the participants profile or through circumstances (e.g. pandemic restrictions). Work collaboratively with the wider multi-disciplinary research team and patient/public representatives, and support the project managers. Prepare and present research findings for meetings; including conferences both oral presentations and poster presentations. In addition to the post holder will be required to support other projects and will require competence in the following: To have a solid understanding of the application of ICH GCP Guidelines, the EU Directive on Clinical Research and Research Governance. To ensure that all work undertaken is in line with research protocols, ICH GCP, Research Governance guidelines and all relevant organisational SOPs. Work with the research team to support preparation and set-up of the studies, including liaison with professionals, Research & Innovation departments, care homes and community organisations. To ensure patients / carers are provided with written information relevant to the research study and are given the opportunity to discuss the research study at the outset and during the course of the research trial in which they are being asked to participate (i.e. informed consent). To support and assist in the analysis of qualitative data using appropriate software such as NVivo Presentation of data including the writing up findings and study outputs for different purposes and audiences including public partners and internal reports. To record and report any adverse events and serious adverse events according to trial protocol and local procedures. Ensuring that safety data is reported as required in accordance with SOPs and study protocols, and reports send in a timely manner. Undertaking any research specific training required for the role including ICH GCP training and consent training. Attending in-service training, conferences and study days at the discretion of the Research Manager. In collaboration with the wider team contribute and assist with the production of research articles and to project newsletters, websites To attend meetings, both internal and external, to represent the research team as required. Also attending meetings and learning sessions having an active role in the presentation of research information both internally and at national meetings. To track and report the accruals on a monthly basis maintaining the recruitment database for all studies they are involved with. Contributing to preparation and writing of project reports, papers and other outputs in accordance with both internal and external requirements. OTHER KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS LOROS Research and Education team LOROS Clinical teams including inpatient, outpatient, day care, therapists and CNS University of Leicester researchers and collaborators
