The role

We are seeking a motivated and proactive Research Support Assistant to join the Ageing and Movement Research Group (AMRG) based at the University of Bristol, a top 5 UK university for research (THE analysis of REF 2021). The AMRG programme is led by Associate Professor in Ageing and Movement Disorders Dr Emily Henderson (https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/emily-j-henderson).

The overall aim of the AMRG is to improve how we care for older adults with complex disease, developing models of care and training that address the increasing societal and clinical needs of an ageing population. This is a role for an individual who is passionate about medical research and the care of older people, who has excellent communication skills, initiative, and problem-solving ability and works well in a multidisciplinary team, and wishes to gain more experience of clinical research.

You will work under the joint-supervision of the Group Lead (Dr Emily Henderson) and Senior Research Associate for PRIME-PD (Mícheál Ó Breasail) who will support them to undertake the necessary training and development and gain experience.

What will you be doing?

You will work on the REFRAIN-PD study within the context of the ongoing PRIME Parkinson RCT. This involves obtaining and analysing clinical data relating to bone and muscle health from people with Parkinson’s. This will include, but is not limited to, performing bone densitometry scans, generating fracture-risk scores, and appraising current literature/guidelines. Additionally, this will entail working closely with academic and clinical members of the research team to utilise these findings in the context of the wider research programme. This will involve direct research support to the ARMG academic team and involve close working with research participants (patients, carers) and clinical partners.

In this role you will work supervised and unsupervised, prioritizing work daily according to the needs of the REFRAIN-PD study. Another important aspect of the role will be supporting collaboration with key stakeholders within the University of Bristol and the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath and contributing to reports for funding bodies.

You will conduct experiments, collect data, contribute to the design of experiments, analyse data and contribute to write up. You will be responsible for occasional training and supervision of others, and your own professional development. You will be required to take responsibility for adlministrative work associated with your research, such as organising meetings, taking notes, recording data and uploading data to relevant data depositories and systems.

You should apply if

you are familiar with DXA and pQCT scanners and the acquisition of bone images and have previous experience of conducting cognitive and physical function assessments in a research, health of social care setting.

You will be able to demonstrate expertise in a range of techniques, methods and data analysis, and that you are competent in the necessary administrative process to support your research.

Previous experience of working in a clinical research setting

Additional information

Contract type: Open ended with funding for 24 months

Work pattern: Part time/ 0.6 FTE

Grade: H / Unclassified

Salary: £31,411 - £35,333 per annum (pro rata)

School/Unit: Bristol Medical School

Shift pattern: 21h per week

This advert will close at 23:59 GMT on 21/02/2023

For informal queries please contact: Mícheál Ó Breasail, [email protected]

Available documents

• School Information - BMS - October 2022.pdf
• ACAD106653 Research Support Assistant JD.pdf