Job Description
Job Title: Research Associate (SMI)
Posting Start Date: 01/09/2025
Job Id: 1522
School/Department: School of Medicine & Population Health
Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid)
Contract Type: Fixed-term
Salary per annum (£): 38, ,735.00
Closing Date: 15/09/2025
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.
Overview
We are seeking to appoint a researcher who will work on a joint project between the Sections of Public Health and Health Services Research (Mental health Research Unit) within the School of Medicine and Population Health. This is an exciting opportunity to support a research project on using ketogenic diets for treating severe mental health illness (SMI). The project will complete essential preparatory work for informing an intervention trial assessing the potential of ketogenic diets for treating SMI in first episode psychosis patients.
An understanding of qualitative research would be required for this work. Furthermore, experience of working with patients and developing co-designed public health approaches would be required. Prior experience of mental health research and/or research that involves marginalised or vulnerable groups would also be an advantage, although not essential. As a project involving nutritional interventions, prior experience in food and nutrition public health research would be a strength.
You will have strong understanding of conducting research involving qualitative methods and working with patients for co-designing and testing lifestyle interventions. In addition, you will have strong spoken and written communication skills to liaise with multiple partners and external bodies. Excellent interpersonal skills are also essential as the work will involve working with patients, NHS providers and external collaborators.
Main duties and responsibilities
* Lead the day-to-day running of the research project, including leading on securing NHS research ethics approval.
* Undertake patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) work with patients and NHS providers.
* Undertake proof of concept work for co-designing ketogenic diet adoption approaches, including qualitative process evaluation.
* Organise and contribute to regular research meetings and networking meetings.
* Contribute to the writing of an application for further funding and reports to funders.
* Assist in the preparation of papers for publication.
* You will make a full and active contribution to the principles of the 'Sheffield Academic'. These include the achievement of excellence in applied teaching and research, and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University's achievements. Further information on the underpinning values of the Sheffield Academic can be found at: Sheffield Academic
* As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
* Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential or desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
A good honours degree and postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience in public health research
Essential
Application/interview
A PhD in Public Health, Public Health Nutrition or related field (or equivalent experience)
Desirable
Application/interview
Qualitative research experience including collecting and analysing qualitative data
Essential
Application/interview
Experience of co-designing public health interventions
Essential
Application/interview
Experience of public health Nutrition research
Desirable
Application/interview
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise effectively with patients, colleagues, and external stakeholders
Essential
Application/interview/presentation
IT literate across a wide range of applications including word, excel, google and Microsoft Teams
Essential
Application/interview
Experience of writing funding applications
Desirable
Application/interview/presentation
Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to work to deadlines and manage your own workload
Essential
Application/interview
Flexible, reliable and professional approach to work
Essential
Application/interview
Further Information
Grade
7
Salary
£38,784 - £42,254 per annum pro-rata with the potential to progress to £51,753
Work arrangement
Full time
Duration
1st October st March 2026
Line manager
Viren Ranawana and Scott Weich
Direct reports
n/a
Our website
For informal enquiries about this job contact Viren Ranawana at
Next steps in the recruitment process
We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage early-mid September with interviews to take place at the end of September. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact dph-section-
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: ().
What we offer
* A minimum of 41days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
* Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
* Generous pension scheme.
* A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
* A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
* Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
* A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
* A range of generous family-friendly policies
* paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
* support for those going through the menopause
* paid time off and support for fertility treatment
* and more
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.