Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Research Associate for Paediatric Oncology Trial

The closing date is 01 September 2025

Job summary

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

For Learning Curve, The Brain Tumour Charity

18 months fixed term (30 hour for first 12 months reducing to 22.5 hours for last 5 months)

This an exciting new opportunity to work within paediatric oncology research at Great Ormond Street Hospital commencing in the Autumn of 2025.

The post holder will be responsible for the setting up of the research study funded by a Quality of Life award from The Brain Tumour Charity entitled:

'Learning Curve: First steps in the development of a co-designed programme to help childhood brain tumour survivors to succeed in school'.

The study will be investigating how children treated for a brain tumour are supported in schools and ways in which this could be improved. This is a study involving NHS patients and staff that will need HRA approvals.

This team brings together qualitative research and clinical expertise from across the country to help inform this study which will involve a desk-based scoping exercise, questionnaires, interviews and a workshop with input from children and young people, parents and families, education professionals and health care providers.

.

The post holder will manage the day-to-day activities associated with the study.

Main duties of the job

Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, conduct of each element of the project as outlined in the grant application (including ethics application, scoping exercise, questionnaire design, recruitment of study participants, conducting interviews, organising and conducting workshop, data collection, data analysis and study write-up) support the PPIE element of the project, attendance at the Study Steering Group meetings, compiling and submitting reports to the funder at the required intervals and preparation of other dissemination materials for lay and professional audiences.

This is a mixed methods study across 3 workstreams, the aims are:

Workstream 1: to identify existing programmes and interventions to facilitate reintegration and provide ongoing support for children with brain tumours and understand how these are used and funded.

Workstream 2: to understand the barriers and facilitators for successful re-entry and continued achievement in school from the perspective of children and young people, parents, teachers and health care professionals?

Workstream 3: utilise the findings of workstreams 1 and 2 to inform the development of collaborative co-designed workstream intervention that aims to provide consistent long-term support for children with brain tumours in school

Should you want further information or wish to arrange an informal chat, please contact:

Dr Sarita Depani (Sarita.depani@gosh.nhs.uk) or Professor Faith Gibson (faith.gibson@gosh.nhs.uk

About us

We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as the communities we serve, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic heritage, people with a disability, and people from LGBTQ+ communities. By growing an ever more diverse workforce, we'll have a greater range of perspectives and knowledge, meaning that we can provide the children and young people at our hospital with even better care.

Our hospital is committed to creating an environment that is open and inclusive. Our staff are encouraged to engage with colleagues through the following networks: REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities & Leveraging Disabilities Network), PRIDE and Women's networks; all of which are sponsored by a member of our Executive Management Team.

We want to ensure that all of our people, regardless of their background, are seen and heard. We want to attract applicants that share our commitment to inclusion and that understand diversity is a strength that is embraced and valued.

Details

Date posted

11 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£56,276 to £63,176 a year per annum inclusive, pro rata for part time

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

271-BCC-7332252

Job locations

Great Ormond Street

London

WC1N 3JH


Job description

Job responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment/s below.

Person Specification

Values

Essential

  • Gosh Values
  • Experience of working as part of a diverse team.
  • Experience of contributing to an inclusive workplace culture
  • Knowledge and understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Academic/Professional qualification/Training

Essential

  • A PhD (or near completion thereof) or equivalent research experience in a health-related field (including, but not limited to, health sciences, psychology, sociology).
  • Training in qualitative research methodology

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

  • Relevant research experience in qualitative research methods
  • Experience of undertaking research with children and young people
  • Experience of navigating the NHS and R&D approvals process
  • Experience of survey development, utilising qualitative research findings

Desirable

  • Experience of using participatory and creative methods in research
  • Experience of remote data collection utilising zoom, teams or similar platforms.

Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to work independently, as well as proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
  • Excellent organisation and communication skills
  • Ability to write clearly and concisely with a publication record commensurate with stage of career
  • Flexible with excellent problem-solving skills
Person Specification

Values

Essential

  • Gosh Values
  • Experience of working as part of a diverse team.
  • Experience of contributing to an inclusive workplace culture
  • Knowledge and understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Academic/Professional qualification/Training

Essential

  • A PhD (or near completion thereof) or equivalent research experience in a health-related field (including, but not limited to, health sciences, psychology, sociology).
  • Training in qualitative research methodology

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

  • Relevant research experience in qualitative research methods
  • Experience of undertaking research with children and young people
  • Experience of navigating the NHS and R&D approvals process
  • Experience of survey development, utilising qualitative research findings

Desirable

  • Experience of using participatory and creative methods in research
  • Experience of remote data collection utilising zoom, teams or similar platforms.

Skills/Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to work independently, as well as proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
  • Excellent organisation and communication skills
  • Ability to write clearly and concisely with a publication record commensurate with stage of career
  • Flexible with excellent problem-solving skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Ormond Street

London

WC1N 3JH


Employer's website

https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Great Ormond Street

London

WC1N 3JH


Employer's website

https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant

Dr Sarita Depani

Sarita.depani@gosh.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

11 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£56,276 to £63,176 a year per annum inclusive, pro rata for part time

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

271-BCC-7332252

Job locations

Great Ormond Street

London

WC1N 3JH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)