Research Associate; Gowen Autism study | Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Employer:

Location:

Manchester, M40 5BP

Pay:

Contract Type:

Contract

Hours:

Disability Confident:

No

Closing Date:

06/02/2026

The aim of this project is to provide evidence for the need and acceptability of routine sensory motor assessments and treatment for autistic adults without Learning Disabilities and to identify and map appropriate intervention pathways.

The Research Associate (RA) will join a multidisciplinary team who have experience in autism research, Occupational Therapy, Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), delivery of complex interventions and economic evaluation.

They will be responsible for monitoring participant recruitment, communicating with the OTs, research team and participants and collating the assessment reports and questionnaires into spreadsheets.

The RA will perform quantitative and qualitative analysis (i.e. framework analysis) on the data and work with the Chief Investigator to develop, run and contribute to the workshops and survey.

They will help design the toolkit and be involved in disseminating study findings through publications, presentations, PPI and clinical material.

Specific skills that would be desirable for the project are experience of working with autistic adults and/or experience conducting research with autistic adults, experience of co‑producing research with autistic people and experience of sensory motor research.

Knowledge of the brain and cognitive underpinnings of sensory and motor difficulties in the autistic population would also be desirable.

In phase 1 of the study, autistic adults will be recruited from two diagnostic clinics in the Northwest.

Participants will be offered a SMD assessment by an Occupational Therapist and will receive a report detailing findings including any support recommendations.

All participants will be asked to return for a follow up visit to collect proof of concept and feasibility data on the assessment and report using a survey and open‑ended questions.

This data will allow us to understand the need for assessment and intervention and obtain acceptability and feasibility data to design future studies.

In phase 2, a toolkit containing guidance on appropriate SMD assessments and intervention options will be developed through workshops and a survey involving research team members and stakeholders.

The project is funded by an NIHR Research for Patient Benefit grant.

To cover Maternity leave for six months in the first instance.

• To assist with writing of funding applications for research
• To conduct and write systematic reviews and/or meta‑analyses for publication and to inform future research and grant applications.
• To contribute to the development/design of qualitative and quantitative studies with the members of the team.
• To assist with the running of any pilot trials or research studies conducted within the team.
• To liaise with relevant funding bodies, research support network (e.g. NIHR Research Design Service) and R&I departments of partner organisations
• To assist with the running of any focus groups or consultation groups with service users and/or other stakeholders to inform research.
• To assist in servicing meetings, including production of agendas, writing of minutes and reports and taking follow‑up action as required.
• To support the Lead and team members on other relevant research/administrative activities as required.

• To populate, maintain and manage relevant and accurate databases on a daily basis, ensuring they represent a comprehensive and accurate record of the ongoing research.
• To work effectively under time‑pressure in order to meet tight deadlines and project milestones
• To retrieve complex data from relevant quantitative databases and analyse research outcomes to produce summary reports on research activity for a variety of purposes.

• To regularly liaise with the study collaborators and other stakeholders to identify and recruit eligible study participants;
• To assist with the promotion of the research to stakeholders;
• To contribute towards and write papers about the research in high profile reports and publications;
• To help present information on…