Research Assistant

About the Role

The Research Assistant will join the Childhood Participation (ChiP) Lab, contributing to a programme of research focused on improving participation, health, and service outcomes for children and young people (0–18) with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).

You will support a the design and delivery of mixed methods research portfolio of interlinked studies, including (1) Dystonia IMPACT (improving outcomes and interventions for children with dystonia), (2) Co-SMART Programme (a feasibility randomised controlled trial for a rehabilitation intervention in dystonia), and (3) MOTIF (a policy research programme modelling the Therapy workforce within integrated children’s services). You will work under the supervision of the Clinical Reader in Child Health Research, Dr Gimeno.

You will also support patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE), study coordination and governance processes, and dissemination through reports, presentations, and publications. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience across applied health research, policy research, and early-stage clinical trials within a collaborative environment.

About You

You will hold an undergraduate degree (and preferably a postgraduate qualification) in a relevant field such as health sciences, psychology, or social sciences, or have equivalent research experience. You will have experience supporting research projects and an interest in child health, disability, or health services research.

Strong organisational and communication skills are essential, alongside the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including children and young people, families, clinicians, and policymakers.

Knowledge of research governance processes (e.g. ethics, data protection, Good Clinical Practice) is desirable, as is experience of PPIE.

About the School/Department/Institute/Project

The Blizard Institute was established in 2003 and is one of six Institutes within the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, QMUL. The Institute comprises approximately 360 staff based in four academic centres and one Public Engagement Centre and supports a combined total of c700 postgraduate research and taught students. The Institute aims to deliver excellence in all aspects of research, teaching and clinical service.

About Queen Mary

At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.