King's College London

About us:

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant to work on the Improving Communication with Adults with Learning Disabilities (ICALD) research programme, funded by the National Institute of Health & Care Research (NIHR).

The aim of this programme is to improve the delivery and implementation of communication support for adults with learning disabilities living in social care settings.

The post holder will be based in Becket House, SE1 7EU with the Chief Investigator Prof Vicky Slonims.

About the role:

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual who will support the Programme Manager and Research Associates in the final work package of the ICALD programme: a randomised study with stepped wedge design evaluating the delivery and implementation of an intervention package aimed to improve communication between social care staff and the adults with learning disabilities that they support.

The post-holder will provide day-to-day support to the Programme Manager and Postdoctoral Research Associates and contribute to the successful delivery of the study. In this varied role, the post-holder will contribute to various tasks including, but not limited, administrative tasks related to the study, such as organising meetings and taking minutes; recruitment of adults with learning disabilities and those that care for them; conducting assessments, interviews and observations and contribute to outputs such a reports for funders and dissemination activities.

You will gain experience of conducting research in different settings, using different techniques to understand the support needs of adults with learning disabilities who experience difficulties with communication.

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31st May 2028.

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.

About you:

The post-holder will adaptable, flexible, and responsive to the needs of the study and wider team. To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. Undergraduate (or conversion) degree in psychology, health data science, health-related or other relevant subject.
2. Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills and ability to quickly build rapport with people from all backgrounds and walks of life and engage them respectfully and effectively in the research activities
3. An understanding of the challenges facing adults with Learning Disability living in a range of residential contexts.
4. Knowledge of guidance relating to data confidentiality / security in research.
5. Demonstrated interest in at least one of the following areas: qualitative thematic analysis; mixed methods research, ethnographic methodologies.
6. Evidence of research-related computing skills: word processing, NVivo, Reference management software, packages to support data analysis.
7. Ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively within a larger team.
8. Highly flexible and willing to travel for data collection and conferences as required, including data collection out of typical working hours. Occasional overnight stays may be required.

Desirable criteria

1. Postgraduate qualification in psychology, health data science, health-related or other relevant subject – or equivalent experience
2. Expertise in working with individuals and families of people with learning disabilities.
3. Demonstrated previous experience in working on a large research study/clinical trial in NHS, community or social care settings.

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further information:

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.

Interviews are due to be held in late January.