Job profile

Join our CHOICES-HiSP Programme and help shape early support for children and young people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

About the role
We’re developing a pioneering hospital-initiated social prescribing intervention to improve mental health and wellbeing in the first year after diagnosis.

As our Research Assistant, you'll play a key role in a 12-month, multi-site study, supporting literature reviews, data collection, stakeholder engagement and project coordination. Working closely with the Principal Investigator and NHS partners, you will help design a future national trial that could transform care for young people with T1D.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Deliver and continually improve a flexible research support service
• Work closely with investigators, research fellows, and key project stakeholders
• Assist with funding searches and proposal development
• Develop questionnaires and conduct literature/database searches
• Collect, analyse, and interpret research data
• Contribute to reports, publications, and presentations
• Support project planning and day-to-day organisation
• Ensure compliance with financial, regulatory, and safety policies

For this role, you will need to be on site 1 day a week. Although we can accommodate working from home for this role, flexibility to be on-site will be expected due to business needs.

There is an essential requirement within this role that you will be required to travel to and work at different University sites and/or other business locations that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Please refer to the job description for further information.

This is a part time post working 18.5 hours per week on a fixed-term basis, starting 1st April 2026 for a 12-month duration.

The successful candidate may be required to obtain an ATAS Certificate prior to this research being undertaken.

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Kerryn Husk: by email at kerryn.husk@plymouth.ac.uk 

What we’re looking for

You will have the following:

• Degree in a health-related field (or equivalent) required, PhD in a relevant discipline desirable
• Proven research experience, including written contributions to academic publications
• Experience in health services research, ideally within secondary care, CYP and/or mental health settings
• Experience conducting and disseminating research in an academic environment desirable
• Track record of contributing to research publications
• Strong skills in designing research materials and analysing mixed-methods data
• Confident in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and research databases
• Solid knowledge of research methods, design, and mixed-methods approaches
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team
• Understanding of trial design, implementation research, and health economics
• Organised, self-managing team player with excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Confident in analysing and interpreting research data and generating new ideas

For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.

About us
The Faculty of Health holds four Silver Athena Swan awards, which recognise our commitment to supporting gender equality within higher education. 

The University of Plymouth has a strong interdisciplinary research ethos which is supported by our two strategic Research Institutes; the Marine Institute and the Sustainable Earth Institute. As a member of our academic community, you’ll be expected to contribute to our recognised research strengths. Working holistically across the University, you will be challenged to innovate, collaborate and deliver impactful research contributions as part of a systems thinking approach to addressing today’s global challenges.

For more information on Peninsula Medical School please visit our dedicated webpage at https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools

Application Process
Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.

Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.

Anticipated Interview Date(s): Anticipated Interview Date(s): Tuesday, 20 January 2026

Our Offer
Staff appointed within the Faculty of Health may be able to join the NHS pension scheme subject to eligibility criteria.

When joining us, you will receive:

• Generous annual leave: 25* Days Annual Leave (pro rata if part-time) plus Bank Holidays* & Closure Days*
• Generous pension scheme
• Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave
• Flexible working
• Retailer discounts
• On-site nursery

*Pro rata for part-time/fixed term contract posts

A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed here. 

Additional Information
The University of Plymouth is an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed regardless of their background. To find out more about our inclusive community initiatives, such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter, please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages.