Job Description
Job Title: Research Associate
Posting Start Date: 30/09/2025
Job Id: 1684
School/Department: School of Allied Hlth Prof, Nurs & Midwf
Work Arrangement: Part Time (Hybrid)
Contract Type: Fixed-term
Salary per annum (£): 38,784.00
Closing Date: 15/10/2025
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
The successful postholder will join the Mesothelioma UK Research Centre in the School of Allied Health Professionals, Pharmacy, Nursing & Midwifery. A Research Associate is required to work on a number of studies related to mesothelioma, including qualitative research exploring the support needs of family carers, a mixed methods study exploring factors influencing treatment access and a systematic review on immunotherapy. The postholder will also have the opportunity to develop ideas for future studies, in collaboration with colleagues.
The Mesothelioma UK Research Centre is funded by Mesothelioma UK (a charity for mesothelioma patients and families) to undertake research and develop resources to optimize well-being for those living with mesothelioma.
The post provides an ideal postdoctoral opportunity to establish an academic career in the field of health research, nursing or cancer research. The post provides the ideal platform for progression to an academic post or would suit those seeking to establish a long-term research career.
The postholder will have a PhD (or be nearing completion) or equivalent experience. They will need experience that would enable them to conduct mixed methods research, including with mesothelioma patients and/or their family members. They will have a recognised expertise in health research and the ability to be self-directed in conducting projects they are responsible for. They will need to demonstrate ability to deliver research outputs, including peer-review publications and conference presentations.
Main duties and responsibilities
* Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with Mesothelioma UK and non-academic stakeholders as appropriate.
* Develop protocols for ethical review and submit to the University of Sheffield Research Ethics Committee (non-NHS).
* Plan and undertake reviews of the literature, using recognised methods.
* Design and develop data collection materials including surveys and qualitative interview guides
* Analyse qualitative and quantitative data, including secondary analysis.
* Write publications for peer review journals.
* Dissemination of research using methods such as conference presentations, presentations at clinical and stakeholder events, press releases, social media.
* Read academic papers, journals, books and professional literature and attend conferences to keep abreast of developments in the area.
* Conduct Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) activities, supported by senior staff
* Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit 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 is 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 PhD (or near completion) or equivalent experience related to health research, nursing or cancer research.
X
Experience working with patients with cancer, advanced/life limiting illness, or otherwise vulnerable individuals.
X
Experience of conducting literature reviews using recognised methods.
X
Experience of conducting mixed methods research in a health context
X
Experience using statistical software packages e.g. SPSS
X
Experience of conducting qualitative data analysis using CAQDAS (such as NVIVO, Quirkos)
X
Proven track record of research activity and outputs in a health related field. These may include publications in high quality peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations
X
Evidence of contribution to research impact in policy, practice, public engagement or education
X
Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills, experience of delivering presentations
X
Experience of working with lay stakeholders on research projects e.g Patient and Public Involvement, co-production workshops
X
Further Information
Grade
7
Salary
£38,784 - £47,389 per annum pro rata
Work arrangement
Part-time 35%FTE
Duration
9 months
Line manager
Professor Clare Gardiner
Direct reports
Our website
For informal enquiries about this job contact Clare Gardiner, Professor of Palliative Care: on
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 11/11/25. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 27/10/25. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Emma Nesbit, Operations Manager ).
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.