Research Assistant

We are currently offering a secondment opportunity for a Research Assistant to join our progressive and vibrant R&D team on a 13 month, part-time contract. This role would perfectly suit an Assistant Psychologist looking to gain research experience. The role starts on 1st October 2024, and finishes on 31st October 2025.
The post holder will be the lead researcher on a NIHR funded study entitled 'No-one left to cope alone: development of a post-diagnostic intervention to support people newly diagnosed with dementia (NOLA)'.
The post holder will be involved in managing the trial, recruiting participants from existing clinical services, working with patient and public involvement groups, and establishing relationships with new services/specialities as required.
The role is both staff and patient/client facing and requires an aptitude for working with a range of people from different cultures, ages, and environments. We are also looking for someone with strong writing skills., The post holder will provide oversight and management of all research activities for NOLA at NELFT. They will underpin the day to day operations of the research and contribute to the administrative aspects of the research governance processes. They will work closely with the Principal Investigator, Patient and Public Involvement Lead, and Sponsor (NELFT) to ensure cohesive and efficient research processes.
The post holder will support all stages of the project including working with the Principal Investigator to obtain NHS ethical approval, and leading data collection for two qualitative studies. This will include interviews with diverse participant samples and include people living with dementia, caregivers, healthcare professionals and policy professionals or decision makers. They will lead recruitment at NELFT, liaising with clinical teams and research participants, setting up and conducting interviews with people with dementia, and preparing data for transcription with NELFT partners.
The post holder will also liaise with our wider project team and Patient and Public Involvement group, attending meetings to feedback on data collection. They will play a key role in the write up and dissemination of these findings, contributing to high-profile academic publications. Further opportunities will be available, including contributing to two systematic reviews.
For questions, please contact the line manager:
Dr Charlotte Stoner
[email protected]

Working for our organisation
Probationary Period
This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).
High Cost Area Supplement
This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,313 to a maximum of £5,436).
COVID-19 Vaccination
We continue to encourage all staff to ensure that they have been double vaccinated and received their booster. We recognise that taking the vaccine provides the best defence against COVID 19 for our patients, our staff and their families.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received., We believe in bringing your authentic and best self to work, in order to deliver the best care to our patients. We are committed to supporting our employees holistically. Here is a snapshot of what is on offer at NELFT:
+ A long-standing and award-winning approach to equality and diversity with supportive networks for ethnic minority staff, staff with disabilities or long term/chronic conditions and LGBT staff.
+ A commitment to supporting colleagues to achieve a work life balance, through flexible working opportunities and our efforts to support our working parents and carers. This has resulted in us being recognised as a 'Top 10 Family Friendly Employer' from the Working Families Charity.
+ Proactive health and wellbeing support, including access to our employee assistance programme, staff psychological support, individual wellbeing conversations and a network of health and wellbeing ambassadors.
+ Detailed information about our wellbeing and benefits offer can be found in this link.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that's a job share, part time hours or another flexible pattern.
Supporting our Armed Forces
We recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our organisation. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Gold Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme. We have supportive policies, guaranteed interview schemes for veterans. reservists and military spouses and give additional leave to our Reservists so that they can attend their annual camp.

Joining #TeamNELFT means you'll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We're CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London, Essex, Kent and Medway. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.
The Trust has award winning equality and diversity initiatives and staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest heavily in your development, because when you are valued and supported, we provide the best care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been featured in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for three consecutive years, and we have achieved a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Along with our staff networks and training opportunities, we work hard to embed a just and compassionate culture here at NELFT.
Find out more about NELFT careers and what makes our Trust a great place to work, in this video