"Research Trainee Social Care Research and Development_SENSITISE"

University of Leeds - School of Healthcare

Placed On: 28th November 2025

Closes: 25th December 2025

Job Ref: MHHEA1275

Passionate about bridging the gap between research and practice in social care? Want to work with world-leading professors and senior researchers to create impact and make a difference? Want to further your career in a leading research-intensive University?

The School of Healthcare hosts the University of Leeds’ contribution to the NIHR School for Social Care Research and NICHE-Leeds (a partnership between science and care in the city). We are looking for a motivated Research Trainee to help us develop a national database of preferences for technology in social care for older people: the SENSITISE project (https://sscr.nihr.ac.uk/research/digital-technologies/sensitise-project-technology-social-care/).

We will be interviewing and organising focus groups with care home residents, homecare service users, care workers, technology developers and commissioners. We will be capturing what they like and dislike about technology and statistically modelling their preferences. SENSITISE’s results will help people make more informed choices about how they use, buy and develop technology for older people.

You will be or have been a social care practitioner looking to develop your research skills and experience to achieve future career ambitions. You will have excellent organisational skills, be intellectually curious and keen to be part of a team.

Supervised by Professor Carl Thompson and senior researchers, you will develop research skills: literature searching, collecting and analysing data. You will help create plain English summaries and online resources to get our research to the right people at the right time, with maximum impact. We need an excellent communicator who is sensitive to the needs of older people, including those living with dementia. As a research trainee you will help plan, prepare and undertake research and contribute to publications and other outputs from the research.

This position is available as a part-time or full-time position for one year. You will be given opportunities, support and time, to engage in professional development to help you secure the funding needed to progress your research career.

What can we offer

26 days' holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – that’s 42 days a year!

Generous pension scheme plus life assurance– the University contributes 14.5% of salary

Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.

Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team, and self-development courses including languages, Creative Writing, Wellbeing Therapies and much more.

Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

Being part of an international network of collaborative research teams focused on improving quality of life and care for older people.

If you are looking for a role that will develop your skills and support you career ambitions, whilst working in a friendly team, in a research area that makes a difference, apply today.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Professor Carl Thompson

Email: c.a.thompson@leeds.ac.uk