Research Assistant – Early Years Health at Newcastle University

Company description:

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Job description:

The Role

Do you have a passion for helping disadvantaged young children develop their language and communication skills?

We are looking for healthcare and early years professionals to join a research study evaluating localised intervention for children at risk of speech, language and communication difficulties. We are working with North Tyneside, Redcar and Cleveland, and Wolverhampton to identify preschool children most at risk of speech, language and communication difficulties and tailor evidence-based interventions for local delivery. The post holders will each be based in one of these sites. They will be Speech and Language Therapists / Assistants, Early Years Professionals or Psychology Graduates with experience of working with pre-school children.

The posts will each be embedded in a local research and service delivery team in one of the three areas and part of a wider multidisciplinary research team evaluating the project. You will maintain strong relationships with services providing the intervention of the project. You will organise and make visits to collect information on children for the project. You will assess children’s language and help their parents in completing study questionnaires. You will enter data and assist the research team in maintaining accurate information for the study.

To apply for this vacancy please provide evidence of how you meet the essential criteria required for the role outlined in ‘The Person’ by uploading a letter of application along with your Curriculum Vitae (CV). If you wish to be considered for a job share or reduced hours, please outline this in your letter of application.

The posts are offered on a part time basis up to 19 hours per week (50% FTE), fixed term for a period of 22 months from June 2024 and could be available to existing University colleagues as a secondment. You should discuss this with your current manager before submitting your application.

We welcome applications from those interested in fewer than the advertised hours and/or who have interest in specific components of the role.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the project leads Prof Lindsay Pennington lindsay.pennington@ncl.ac.uk or Prof Cristina McKean Cristina.mckean@ncl.ac.uk

Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains staff from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the community they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.