Research Fellow - Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy

Job responsibilities

Job Description

Main purpose of the job:

To undertake a programme of research on rehabilitation for people with Lewy body dementia.

This post, available thanks to support from the Alzheimers Society, will form part of the UK Lewy Body Dementia Doctoral Training Network (LBD-DTN) which aims to create a thriving united Lewy body dementia UK research community. Our core mission is to improve the lives of people living with LBD.

The LBD-DTN bring togethers teams at five UK centres: UCL, Newcastle, Southampton, Nottingham and Exeter, with expertise across a range of methodologies to address fundamental questions in the field of Lewy body dementia.

The post-holder will be expected to register on our PhD programme alongside this position - fees at UK rates will be covered. Contact Louise Allan L.Allan@exeter.ac.uk for further info.

The successful applicant will need to pass a DBS check.

Main duties and accountabilities:

1. To undertake research as appropriate to the field of study. The responsibilities may include all or some of the following:

• Developing research objectives and projects
• Conducting collaborative research projects
• Undertaking a realist review of rehabilitation therapy for Lewy body dementia
• Undertake a qualitative study with people with LBD and their carers to examine what the rehabilitation needs are and any factors for people with LBD not faced by people with other dementias
• Codesign with stakeholders an adapted intervention for people with LBD
• Undertake a feasibility study of the intervention in 10 people with LBD
• Writing a PhD thesis
• Writing or contributing to publications or disseminating research findings using media appropriate to the discipline;
• Making presentations at conferences or exhibiting work in other appropriate events;
• Assessing, interpreting and evaluating outcomes of research;
• Developing new concepts and ideas to extend intellectual understanding;
• Resolving problems of meeting research objectives and deadlines;
• Developing ideas for application of research outcomes;
• Deciding on /following research programmes and methodologies, often in collaboration with colleagues and sometimes subject to the approval of the head of the research programme on fundamental issues.

2. To act as research team leader including:

• Mentoring colleagues with less experience and advising on their professional development;
• Coaching and supporting colleagues in developing their research techniques;
• Supervising the work of others, for example in research teams or projects;
• Developing productive working relationships with other members of staff;
• Co-ordinating the work of colleagues to ensure equitable access to resources and facilities;
• Dealing with standard problems and help colleagues to resolve their concerns about progress in research.

3. To routinely communicate complex and conceptual ideas to those with limited knowledge as well as to peers using high level skills and a range of media and to present the results of scientific research to sponsors and at conferences.

4. As determined by the nature of the project and at the direction of the PI, to plan, co-ordinate and implement research programme activity including:

• Managing the use of research resources and ensuring that effective use is made of them;

This job description summarises the main duties and accountabilities of the post and is not comprehensive: the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties of similar level and responsibility. Please visit the Human Resources website to view the Research Fellow role profiles.

Behavioural Characteristics

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of groups.
• Evidence of the ability to collaborate actively within the Institution and externally to complete research projects and advance thinking.
• Able to participate in and develop external networks.
• Able to balance the pressures of research, administrative demands and competing deadlines.
• An understanding of the importance of equality and diversity within an organisation and a commitment to helping create an inclusive culture.

Qualifications

Essential

• Sufficient clinical experience to undertake a Band 7 post
• B.Sc. / B.Sc (Hons) Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy/equivalent
• HCPC Registered

Desirable

• Relevant post graduate courses
• Clinical supervision training
• MSc or MRes

Skills and Understanding

Essential

• Possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop/follow research programmes and methodologies.
• Demonstrates an ability to prioritise and co-ordinate the workload efficiently and effectively
• Evidences a broad in-depth range of clinical knowledge and highly specialist skills in the management of older people
• Demonstrates a knowledge of dementia
• Demonstrates evidence of teaching skills to a range of professionals
• Demonstrates excellent organisational/delegation/prioritisation/ time management skills
• Evidence of audit and/or research experience
• Knowledge of research design, methods and ethical processes
• Utilisation of evidence into practice

Desirable

• Record of research output in high quality publications.
• Knowledge of Good clinical practice
• Prior experience of realist methods

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrates working at senior / specialist level within the acute or community health services
• Evidence of managing complex clinical caseload in acute medicine, community services, delirium or dementia
• Evidence of advanced clinical reasoning skills
• Experience in managing and supporting a team of staff

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).