Research Associate

This post supports the national Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR) programme funded by NHS England and based at the Norah Fry Centre for Disability Studies, part of the School for Policy Studies at the University of Bristol. The aim of the programme is to help improve the quality of health and social care service delivery for people with learning disabilities and to reduce premature mortality and health inequalities in this population, through national and local mortality case review. The programme supports localities across England to review the deaths of all people with learning disabilities aged 4 years and over. The findings from the reviews enable health and social care professionals, commissioners and policy makers to identify learning and make recommendations to reduce the overall burden of excess premature mortality for people with learning disabilities; identify variation and best practice; and make service improvements.

With guidance and supervision, the Research Associate will provide research-related support to the LeDeR programme. This will involve undertaking secondary research about interventions for specific health conditions experienced by people with learning disabilities; undertaking systematic reviews about issues related to the mortality of people with learning disabilities; analyzing and interpreting research data and drawing conclusions on the outcomes; and writing briefing papers and publications based on the research. The post-holder will need to be responsive to the different requests for research evidence from a variety of sources, able to co-ordinate their own work with that of others and present it effectively.

You should have experience of conducting social research and systematic literature reviews; knowledge and understanding of the evidence base relating to the health and social care needs of people with learning disabilities, and potential gaps in the provision of their care; and in depth knowledge and understanding of health and social care systems in England. We are looking for someone who has excellent communication (oral and written) skills to a high standard of English, pays meticulous attention to detail, is organised and methodical in approach and maintains a high level of accuracy in preparing and entering information. A good honours degree (or equivalent) and a higher research degree or PhD or Master's level qualification (or be working towards one), or relevant equivalent professional experience is essential.

This is a part time, 0.6 FTE/21 hours per week role. The post is fixed term and available from 01/06/2019 until 31/05/2020.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 23 May 2019.

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Pauline Heslop, Professor of Intellectual Disabilities Studies (email: Pauline.Heslop@bristol.ac.uk or tel: +44 (0)117 331 0976)

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