Research Associate - School of Social Policy and Society Grade 6

Position Details

Health Services Management Centre, School of Social Policy and Society, College of Social Sciences. University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. Full time salaried range £33,002 – £35,608; potential progression to £39,906. Grade 6.

Part time, 0.5 FTE (18.75 hours per week). Fixed‑term contract until March 2027. Closing date 6 July.

Research Associate on a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment funded clinical trial testing the effectiveness of group‑based psychological therapy for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who have a history of engaging in harmful sexual behaviour. The role is based in the Intellectual Disabilities Research Institute (IDRIS) in the School of Social Policy and Society.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team across the United Kingdom, including staff from Norwich Clinical Trials Unit, the University of Kent at Canterbury, and the University of Birmingham. Travel across all nations of the United Kingdom is required.

• Work within specified research grants and/or projects
• Operate within area of specialism
• Contribute to publications

• Work as a Research Associate on a NIHR‑funded clinical trial – a randomised controlled trial of group therapy (HaSB‑IDD) for men with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and harmful sexual behaviour.
• Contribute to the analysis and capture of research data, including the preparation of reports and publications.
• Interview men with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who have a history of harmful sexual behaviour in various settings (community or psychiatric hospital).
• Deal with problems that may affect the timely achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
• Carry out administrative tasks directly related to the delivery of the research.
• Promote equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

• Undergraduate degree in psychology or a related subject area.
• Ability to analyse information and communicate effectively with individuals who have difficulties with communication.
• Ability to access and organise resources successfully.
• Experience of working with autistic children and adults and children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their carers.
• Knowledge and experience of the research provisions within the Mental Capacity Act 2005; experience of working with individuals judged to lack capacity to make decisions about participation in research.
• Experience of working on funded research studies and experience of both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

The University is committed to safeguarding and promotes safe recruitment practice. All associated pre‑employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work, all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

Informal enquiries to Peter Langdon, email:

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