Research Assistant

Job title – Research Assistant

Profession- Clinical & Public Health

Directorate – HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU & Sepsis Division, Clinical and

Emerging Infections Directorate

Full Time equivalent - 37.5 hours

No of Roles – 1

Contract Type – Permanent

Location – Twyver House, Gloucester GL1 1DQ

UKHSA offers hybrid working or home working for its employees – this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our UKHSA offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business need and in line with departmental policy. Some business travel will be required to other UKHSA offices. Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available

Working Pattern – Full Time /Part Time/ Job Share/Hybrid Working/ Flexible Working

Grade & Salary – Grade EO. National banding - £24,091 - £28,195.

The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/.

Closing Date – 18/06/2023. 23:55pm. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered

Interview Date – 30/06/2023 Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Introduction

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.

Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.

HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU & Sepsis Division

This post is within the Healthcare Associated Infection, Fungal, Antimicrobial Resistance, Antimicrobial Utilisation & Sepsis Division (Clinical & Public Health group) of UKHSA. The mission of the division is to protect people from healthcare-associated and antimicrobial resistant infections, through world-leading public health microbiology, outbreak response, surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, modelling, research and interventions.

Primary Care and Interventions Unit

The Primary Care and Interventions Unit (PCIU) are responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating interventions for primary health care workers and the broader community to promote behaviour change on infection prevention and control, using antimicrobials appropriately and antimicrobial stewardship. Our work contributes to the Government’s Ambitions to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance, including the UK AMR 20 year vision and the 5-year National Action Plan (NAP) 2019-2024. The unit works closely with general practices, care homes, pharmacies, schools, community groups, the public, professional societies, commissioning organisations, and universities to produces resources for health providers, the general public and schools and conducts research to inform and evaluate its interventions. Example of this can be seen on the TARGET antibiotic toolkit and e-Bug websites.

Overview Of Job

This post is positioned in the Primary Care and Interventions Unit (PCIU) of UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The PCIU aims to prevent and improve the management of common infections through research, guidance, intervention development and education of health care professionals, the general public and young people. The unit works closely with health care professionals, educational establishments and community groups, commissioning organisations, and the public to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance, respiratory and hand hygiene, and other common infections. The PCIU runs two distinct programmes of work, the international e-Bug (www.e-bug.eu) schools and community programme and the TARGET antibiotics programme.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant to join the PCIU to support research, and educational projects within the TARGET and e-Bug workstreams. The post holder will be geographically based in Gloucester, although will be able to work from home part of the week. The successful applicant will enjoy a varied role, that will focus on the development and implementation of resources and training packages to improve antimicrobial stewardship in primary care settings.

Key Responsibilities

• To conduct and assist with the research undertaken in the Primary Care and Interventions Unit, covering infection prevention, antimicrobial use and intervention development and evaluation.

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  To develop protocols for research and development activities and communicate with research team as necessary to plan timelines for delivery e.g by updating a project timeline or GANTT chart for the lifetime of the project.

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  To implement and utilise a range of quantitative research methods/statistical analyses/techniques in support of all activities associated with research projects aiming to ensure project targets are met.

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  To implement and utilise a range of qualitative research methods and analysis techniques to undertake and analyse interviews and focus groups.

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  To apply behavioural science to the development of data collection tools, analysis and implications of research findings, including the development of interventions.

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  To correspond with ethics committees and submit ethics applications and local approvals.

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  To undertake needs assessments to inform the development of diagnostic or educational tools.

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  To assist or conduct data collection such as surveys, interviews and focus groups (face to face and telephone) in line with Caldicott guidelines and GDPR.

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  To conduct literature reviews of electronic databases and grey literature.

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  To create, manage and manipulate databases (Access/Excel/Endnote/Epidata) including data input; cleaning, coding validation and verification of data sets; and supplying appropriate raw data sets to statisticians.

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  To provide reports through descriptive analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets.

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  To disseminate research through exhibiting/presenting at conferences, events and workshops; preparing and publishing papers in peer-reviewed journals.

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  To assist with the updating, reviewing and administration of resources/tools and websites.

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  To organize meetings, participate, take minutes and follow up as delegated.

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  To undertake work in accordance with UKHSA’s Health and Safety policies and procedures and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Essential criteria

• Degree standard or equivalent experience.
• Be required to undertake higher level/advanced training in research methodologies and/or project management
• Professional/research experience in the field of public health, education, nursing, microbiology, pharmaceuticals, clinical research or related area.
• Research and IT skills, specifically in relation to qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies,including conducting focus groups, interview techniques, developing questionnaires and data analysis.
• Self-motivated with meticulous time management skills with the ability to re-prioritise
• Demonstrated ability to work in teams and independently.
• Presentation skills.
• Skills for managing aspects of projects ensuring they meet financial targets.
• Skills for manipulating information.
• Advanced keyboard skills, use of a range of software.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable Criteria

• Master’s degree in public health, nursing, microbiology, research or equivalent experience.
• Previous experience in, or knowledge of, health interventions underpinned by behavioural science.
• Previous experience in project delivery.
• Good understanding of skills and experience in safe working practices.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

Name :
sophie rigney
Email :
sophie.rigney@reed.com

Recruitment team

Email :
hradmin@phe.gov.uk