SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES Research Associate (Motor Neurone Disease) Ref RA1350. This is a full time post, available from January 2017 and is offered on a fixed-term basis for 3 years. The Post We require an experienced and highly motivated Research Associate to join a research team headed by Professor Eneida Mioshi at the School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia. This team investigates the impact of dementia and motor neurone disease (MND) in everyday living, more specifically the impact of disease on patients abilities to live independently, family burden, and their relations to clinical symptoms. A key focus of the research is the development of novel clinical tools that are based on research evidence, which in turn will support the work of healthcare professionals. The post holder will be based at the UEA campus, and will be responsible for all aspects of assessments of specific research protocols of participants in a number of research projects, which include primarily patients with a diagnosis of MND or dementia, as well as proxy/family members in addition to healthy controls. It also involves participating in other related activities of the group. The post holder will be responsible for identifying potentially eligible participants, screening for eligibility, obtaining consent for participation, data collection in various forms (interview, clinical assessments, and administering standard dementia tests), test scoring, and delivering clinical intervention if this is part of the research project. The post holder will also assist the group in conducting research clinics. Data entry and data analyses will also be required. In addition they will liaise with members of the clinical care team (key NHS Trusts in the region) when required (across a number of health and social services), liaise with other research collaborators, and attend local and national research-related meetings. Other support research tasks may be required. Further Particulars
Job Description The main duties and responsibilities of this post are: Research Studies: 80% Identify potential study participants via the main NHS Trusts in Norfolk and Suffolk, clinical teams or collaborating centres. Builds collaborative links with clinical teams and R&D Offices. Recruit participants into research studies. Consent participants for research studies. Carry out study-related visits. These may involve home visits and assessments in other clinical settings, depending on the phase of the study protocol. Collect clinical data (interview, assessments, observation) and enter this onto case record forms and database. Perform study-specific interventions (e.g. MiNDToolkit). Contribute to data analysis and manuscript preparation. Support development and maintenance of database; enters data into study database. Liaise with study participants, their family members, medical, AHP and nursing staff regarding the collection of clinical data as required. Feedbacks clinical information as needed. Carry out audits of study documentation and records. Other collaborative studies: 10% Collaborate and support the PI (and other colleagues) in collaborative projects: assessments, data entry, or data preparation as required. Education: 5% Provide information to participants on the study and on research in general. Provide information on current studies and research to other members of staff. Other: 5% Any other duties as requested, commensurate with grade. The precise duties will be agreed in discussion with the line Manager. Person Specification The person specification for this post is attached as Appendix A. Informal Discussions For an informal discussion please contact Professor Eneida Mioshi, Professor of Dementia Care, by e-mail, e.mioshi@uea.ac.uk telephone: 01603 593300.
The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMH) The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is led by the Executive Dean of Faculty, Professor Dylan Edwards, working closely with the Heads of School, and the Associate Deans who share responsibility for the areas of Research; Enterprise and Engagement; Learning and Teaching; Admissions; and Postgraduate Research. These senior academics, together with the Senior Faculty Manager, the Faculty Human Resources Manager, and the Faculty Finance Manager, form the Faculty Executive. Teaching is organised through the Faculty s two Schools of study, comprising Health Sciences (HSC) and Norwich Medical School (MED), assisted by a Centre for Interprofessional Practice (CIPP). The Faculty also has strong research links with the Norwich Research Park, comprising the Institute of Food Research (IFR), the John Innes Centre (JIC), and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, see http://www.worldclassnorfolk.com/work/future-science. The post-holder will have an appropriate level of research skills, experience and track record in an area that complements the existing skill mix of the team, in order to support the research strategy within the Faculty. Researchers within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences benefit from: a dedicated Associate Dean of Research; appropriate support in all aspects of their research activity; a well-resourced Research Office to support the process of submitting research grant applications; our collaborative approach and close links with practitioners in a wide range of clinical specialities across the region; strong collaboration within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and across other professional schools and academic disciplines across the University; exposure to expertise in both qualitative and quantitative paradigms of research, and support for appropriate conference and course attendance. The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Schools of Study The Norwich Medical School Head of School: Professor Michael Frenneaux. The Norwich Medical School was established at UEA in 2001 and has over 200 members of academic, research and support staff and a large number of active NHS secondees and honorary appointees from a wide range of disciplines (including medical specialties, biological sciences and a range of social and statistical disciplines, including health economics, clinical psychology, epidemiology and medical statistics). The School has grown with a current entry each year of 168 students. Its first students graduated in 2007 and since then the School has been in the top 10 of all medical
schools on the National Student Survey on three occasions, (4th in 2013); the Prescribing Skills Assessment pass rate is over 97%; the Situational Judgement Test is among the top scores nationally and the Preparedness to Practice and Core Skills Acquisition are consistently top 5. In 2014 the school was shown to have produced some of the best prepared Foundation doctors, demonstrated through national data provided by the GMC following their annual survey of all doctors in training. The Schools research focus is on developing translational research themes that answer important health questions, from an understanding of the basic mechanisms and genetics of disease through to clinical trials and from there to incorporation into clinical guidelines and evaluation within the broader health care community. The Medical School has a vision to build a clinical and translational research programme of international standing based on the existing strengths of the Medical School, University of East Anglia (UEA), The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) and the Norwich Research Park (NRP). The presence of 3 BBSRC research institutes on the Norwich Research Park (Institute of Food Research (IFR), John Innes Centre (JIC), The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) provides unique opportunities not available to other comparable medical schools. Preventive medicine is a major goal for 21st century medicine. The role of diet in the prevention of a wide spectrum of disease will be a particular focus of research within the Medical School. Incorporated with this will be parallel strategies to understand the epidemiology and health economic impact of the conditions studied. Areas of research within the Medical School include: Cancer Studies Clinical Science and Trials Epidemiology Gastroenterology and Gut Biology Health Economics Health Services Research Medical Microbiology Musculoskeletal Science Nutrition Psychological Sciences Norwich Medical School is housed on East (main) campus in the Norwich Medical School Building, and on West Campus in the brand-new 20m Bob Champion Research and Education Building which opened in late 2014, adjacent to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital providing outstanding facilities for staff and supporting clinically orientated research. The Medical School enjoys a strategic partnership with the adjacent 1,000-bed Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and with other teaching Trusts (the James Paget University Hospital in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Trust based in Norwich, Ipswich Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn, as well as local CCGs). UEA Health Partners has been constituted, composed of NHS Trust Chief Executives, senior university members and chaired by the Vice Chancellor to oversee the strategic relationship between the University and NHS Trusts with whom
the School interacts in both research and teaching. The Head of School is a member of the UEA Health Partners Board. There is a growing number of clinical academics in the areas of stroke and ageing; respiratory medicine; gastroenterology; clinical pharmacology; cardiology; primary care; public health and epidemiology; rheumatology; diabetes; and orthopaedics. The Medical School has for several years received an allocation of Walport academic training posts. There is particular strength within the Medical School in epidemiology, statistics and health economics and exciting possibilities for appointees to develop clinical trials with the NIHR fully registered Clinical Trials Unit as well as experimental medicine within the five-bed Clinical Research Facility (CRF) located in the University Hospital. There is a research 3T MRI scanner also located within the University Hospital. The School of Health Sciences Head of School: Rosalynd Jowett On 1 st August 2014, the Schools of Nursing Sciences and Rehabilitation Sciences at UEA came together to create a new School of Health Sciences. The School s purpose is to resolve health challenges through the advancement of knowledge and interdisciplinary working. This innovative development has built on the strong reputation of the two Schools and creates an outstanding learning environment for students; fostering cutting edge research and offering opportunities for real innovation in enterprise development. The School of Health Sciences encompasses a family of interrelated disciplines; midwifery, all fields of nursing, operating department practice, paramedic science, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. Our research is focussed on developing solutions to future global health challenges as a consequence of our life style choices (e.g obesity, diabetes); living longer with long term conditions and the need for systems, services and training models to adapt to different health care needs in the future. We have a clear vision and strategy to be a leading international academic force in our field, improving the quality of healthcare through our research and education. The School s academic structure is designed to secure the delivery of our strategy. Staff belong to one of three health challenge units which drive innovation in research, teaching and learning in three theme areas: reforming health systems; promoting family and community health and living well with long term conditions. The groups foster a collaborative ethos and serve as an academic home community for those with related interests from a variety of professional backgrounds. We support our academic staff to actively engage in practice and provide opportunities to extend personal development linked to performance. As a School community we are committed to sustained engagement with staff, students, service users and carers and we aim to be in tune with the priorities and requirements of our NHS partners and other providers at a time of considerable change and resource constraint in the wider economy. We have developed excellent partnership working with other HEIs, commissioners and health care providers in the region and work closely with clinical colleagues to maintain and develop clinical
experience for students, as well as providing a mechanism for incorporating their role as mentors and clinical educators into lifelong learning. We currently have over 1300 undergraduate, pre-registration students and around 1200 post registration and postgraduate students taking a variety of modules and courses, including our flagship NIHR Masters in Clinical Research. The success of the School is reflected by the popularity of its programmes and a number of measures of esteem. The School is ranked 5th for nursing and midwifery and 7 th for health professions in the Guardian University Guide (2015) and has recently climbed four places to 8 th place for nursing in the Complete University Guide (2015).
Equality & Diversity and Athena SWAN The University of East Anglia is proud of the increasing diversity of its campus and works with staff, students and organisations around Norwich, Norfolk, regionally and nationally, to achieve its aim of being an inclusive place for study and work. The University is strongly committed to the Athena SWAN principles and is the proud holder of an institutional Bronze Athena SWAN award www.uea.ac.uk/equality/athenaswan. This Award recognises and celebrates good practice in recruiting, retaining and promoting women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) in higher education. Norwich Medical School is committed to the principles of the Athena SWAN charter; obtaining a Bronze Award in 2014, and awarded a much coveted Silver in November 2015. In May 2015 the charter was expanded to recognise work in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students. The charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly as well as barriers to progression that affect women. The School aims to provide the facilities and the working environment that allow all staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish, and to excel. MED s Equality & Diversity Committee SEESAW (Supporting Excellence Equality and Satisfaction for All at Work) is committed to recognising and addressing inequality and to promoting a culture that supports diversity and encourages all staff across a wide portfolio of activities. The School recognises the importance of supporting women at all stages of their careers, and we proactively support women in applications for promotion, pay awards, flexible working, training, and career development in both research and teaching. We also support a range of initiatives tailored to support those returning from parental leave or career breaks. The UEA Campus has a range of facilities to promote family-friendly working, including a fully equipped dedicated baby change and feeding room with hand washing facilities, a baby changing station, fridge, microwave, bottle and food warmer, and a medical bed for rest purposes. Baby changing facilities are also available in our campus coffee shop. The campus has a medical centre, a dental practice, and a nursery offering Ofsted-rated Outstanding day care for children from three months until school age in purpose built surroundings with large outside play spaces. Many other aspects of the University contribute to the overall quality of life and work for our staff at UEA, further details can be found here www.uea.ac.uk/web/workinglife/home. Details of MED s Equality and Diversity Committee and our work in Norwich Medical School can be found at https://www.uea.ac.uk/medicine/equality Positive Action Statement
Norwich Medical School positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
GENERAL Salary Salary 25,298 to 31,076 per annum on Grade 6 on the single salary spine. The normal expectation is that the starting salary will be at the minimum of the advertised salary scale. The appointment will be in accordance with the terms and conditions for Research and Analogous staff. The candidate to whom an appointment is offered will receive a full statement of the terms and conditions of appointment. Starting date Full time, fixed-term post, available from January 2017 for a fixed-term period of 3 years. Terms and Conditions of appointment Full details of terms and conditions of employment for Research & Analogous Staff will be made available to the candidate to whom the appointment is offered, but attention is drawn at this stage to the following conditions: Annual Leave Entitlement There is an annual holiday entitlement of six weeks plus statutory (8 days) and customary (6 days) holidays. Superannuation The post is superannuable under the Universities Superannuation Scheme. This appointment will be subject to: Proof of Qualifications The person specification for this post lists qualifications that are essential and/or desirable and you may hold some or all of these qualifications. Please note that if you are offered the post you will be asked to provide original certificates of these educational and professional qualifications. Please DO NOT provide these with your application. Entitlement to Work in the United Kingdom If you are shortlisted for interview you will be asked to bring to interview original documentary evidence of permission to work in the UK. Candidates invited to interview will be provided with a list of appropriate documents that can be provided as evidence. Please DO NOT provide this with your application.
Due to the nature of this role and the level of qualifications required, please note that immigration legislation allows the University to apply for a sponsorship certificate for this post. Where appropriate, the University will apply for a sponsorship certificate from the Home Office UK Immigration and Visa Service on behalf of the candidate offered employment. The individual will be required to supply original documents and certificates to support this application. Workers from outside of the EU who do not have current residency status within the UK and will require entry clearance or leave to remain approval from the Borders Agency should familiarise themselves with Tier 2 (General) of the Points Based System operated by the Home Office. Details are available at https://www.gov.uk/visas-immigration. Occupational Health Assessment Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Occupational Health Assessment to be carried out by the University s Occupational Health Service. Disclosure and Barring Service This appointment will be subject to a criminal record check at Enhanced level from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Further details outlining the procedure will be sent to you on receipt of your signed Acceptance of Appointment Slip. Please note: you are expected to meet the cost of obtaining a satisfactory Disclosure and a deduction will automatically be made from your salary shortly after receipt of the Disclosure. The present cost of an Enhanced Disclosure is 44. In connection with the DBS Disclosure, please also note that: 1. This post is concerned with the provision of health services and is excluded from the provision for non-disclosure of spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. 2. Due to delays in receiving Disclosure information from the DBS, it has been agreed that you may commence work at the start date of this contract subject to a risk assessment having been completed by the School of Health Sciences.
APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS Your completed application form should quote reference code RA1350 and be returned by no later than 12 noon on 19 December 2016 in one of the following ways: accessed via the relevant vacancy details at http://www.uea.ac.uk/hr/vacancies/ then downloaded in Word format to be completed electronically then saved and sent as an email attachment to hr@uea.ac.uk or accessed via the relevant vacancy details from http://www.uea.ac.uk/hr/vacancies/ then downloaded in Word format to be completed electronically, then printed and posted to the Human Resources Division, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, or accessed via the relevant vacancy details from http://www.uea.ac.uk/hr/vacancies/ and downloaded in PDF format and printed, to be completed by hand and returned by post to the Human Resources Division at the address shown above or forms received by post from the Human Resources Division should be completed by hand or typed and returned by post to the above address. Postal applications will not be acknowledged unless a stamped addressed envelope/postcard is supplied. For paper submissions please ensure you add the correct postage to your application pack as failure to do so will considerably delay receipt by this office and may jeopardise your application for this post. Please note that applications received after the closing date will not normally be accepted. If you are submitting an application by post immediately prior to the closing date please contact the Human Resources Division on 01603 593034 to let us know that your application has been posted, and if possible also send a copy by fax to 01603 593522 or by email to hr@uea.ac.uk in order that we receive these by the closing date. Please note that feedback will not normally be provided to those applicants who are not shortlisted for this post. Applicants for posts with a reference code beginning RA must ensure they submit a covering letter and three paper copies of their curriculum vitae, or one copy if submitting the application by email, along with their completed application form. Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form Please note that an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form must be completed and returned with ALL applications, whether submitted by post or by email. If submitted by email, the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form must be sent as a separate document/attachment to the Application Form. The Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form will be detached from the received
Application, before short-listing takes place and will not form any part of either the short-listing or decision making process. Referees In naming referees in your application, you are requested to give only those who can immediately be approached and one of these must be your current employer, or if not employed your most recent employer. Interviews It is anticipated that interviews and tests will take place on 10 January 2017 and candidates who have not heard by this date should assume their application has been unsuccessful. Successful shortlisted candidates may be notified of their interview times by telephone and/or e-mail and it is therefore essential you include both of these in your application. This document is available in alternative formats e.g. large print, disc and on-line. If you need this document in an alternative format please contact us on 01603 593034, fax 01603 593522, or email hr@uea.ac.uk
Appendix A PERSON SPECIFICATION Title: Senior Research Associate (Motor Neurone Disease) Ref: RA1350 School: HSC Criteria Essential Desirable Education, Experience and Achievements Degree or equivalent qualification/experience in Psychology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, or a related field. Proven experience of working independently and as part of a team. Experience and confidence in interaction with patients and family carers. MSc or PhD in a related field would be an advantage. Significant clinical postregistration experience. Motor Neurone Disease or Early Onset Dementia work experience. Clinical research experience. Skills and Knowledge Personal Attributes Demonstrable communication skills in English language. Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and current research practices. Confident in computer use, e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SPSS, Mendeley/Endnote, and GraphPad. Good time management skills. Excellent communication skills. Have a high attention to detail, the ability to organise and manage own workload. Polite and confident manner. Knowledge of dementia practices. Appropriate training will be provided for database use and management. Special Circumstances