Research assistant

The School of Health and Society wishes to recruit a Research Assistant to participate in a project titled: “Exploring physiotherapists’ perspectives on using the fit note in practice” which is funded by Private Physiotherapy Educational Foundation (PPEF). This exciting opportunity is part of a project aimed at exploring physiotherapists’ perspectives on using the fit note in practice, to help understand the opportunities, facilitators, and challenges they may face, and identify the support, learning and development physiotherapists may need.

A bit about the School of Health & Society…

Our School offers an innovative environment with unique research opportunities and inspiring experiences. We are now recognised as a centre for excellence in research related to human movement and rehabilitation, with recent grants of £2.5M from the EPSRC to establish a Centre for Doctoral Training and £1.4M from the Global Challenges Research Fund. Our cutting-edge research continues to deliver innovate solutions which address important contemporary healthcare challenges.

This role sits within the Human and Rehabilitation research group, in the Health Sciences Research Centre. Led by six professors, this group has a strong international profile and carries out research that addresses important contemporary health challenges. As a researcher within this group, you would be part of a vibrant research community, with opportunities to attend regular seminars and events.

So what will the role involve?

Working alongside physiotherapists and occupational therapists, the successful candidate will play a central role in exploring physiotherapists’ perspectives on using the fit note in practice, to help understand the opportunities, facilitators, and challenges they may face, and identify the support, learning and development physiotherapists may need. This will involve the creation and distribution of a national online questionnaire, developing and implementing an effective recruitment strategy, conducting focus groups to explore key topics in more depth, analysing data, writing reports, and assisting with dissemination of results. It is envisioned that the project findings will inform government policies, facilitate the provision of appropriate support and training to qualified physiotherapists, as well as inform undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy curricula, with the aim to facilitate an effective roll out of Fit Note provision across physiotherapy practice, and to improve patients’ experiences of the Fit note and avoid unnecessary and prolonged sickness absence.

The successful applicant will be required to have an MSc or PhD in a related subject and to have experience of qualitative data collection and analysis. They must be able to work independently and as part of a team and demonstrate excellent spoken and written communication skills.

 The University of Salford offers flexible working patterns in many ways, including flexibility in terms of working hours enabling our colleagues to accommodate work life balance. The role will be based on campus with access to resources/facilities/support, though a hybrid approach involving remote working could also be accommodated, if required, for the right candidate. Please contact Dr Tamara Brown, Physiotherapy lecturer at T.M.Brown@salford.ac.uk for an informal discussion.

 Please note this is a part time (3 days per week), fixed term contract for 12 months.

 Within your cover letter/personal statement it is suggested that you address how you meet the criteria listed in the person specification.

 What’s in it for you?

With over 200 languages spoken across Greater Manchester, we want to create an inspirational, inclusive learning and working environment, celebrating the diversity of our University community in our everyday conversations. Our student population is already incredibly diverse and we want to ensure this is reflected across our colleague profile as well.

There is a varied benefits package available through ‘MySalford’ where you can tailor your benefits to suit your own lifestyle – everything from additional annual leave, savings on High Street shopping, travel discounts as well as health and wellbeing support. To maintain work/life balance, when appropriate you can connect to work from wherever you are. Whether it’s our Peel Park Campus, MediaCityUK or your couch at home, the tools are there for you to do your best work. Flexibility on working from home is supported where possible, however the role will be based on the University of Salford campus.

However you identify, whatever your pathway has been to get here, come and join us at the University of Salford where we are all proud to belong - watch us in action here!