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An opportunity is available at the Research Assistant/Administrator level to join a creative research project exploring ways that autistic people with learning disabilities in supported living services feel about growing older. The project will coproduce a vision for health and wellbeing as supported people age.
The project will explore: i) creative and inclusive methodologies than can be used to involve autistic people with learning disabilities in planning and designing support as they age; ii) a substantive vision of what happy and health ageing looks like for this community. The work will serve to raise awareness and direct discussion among policy-makers, service providers and the wider community to inform social and health care provision for autistic people with learning disability.
The Research Assistant/Administrator will be responsible for: supporting workshops, collation of materials, monitoring and evaluation, organising meetings, interviews, liaising with partner organisations, and supporting data analysis. The post holder will interact on a regular basis with the research team. The post is available from 1st August 2023 until 31st March 2024.
Candidates should have completed an Honours degree in Social Sciences or related disciplines e.g. Psychology, Linguistics, Cultural Studies. Experience in qualitative research methods and data analysis, working with minoritised individuals, groups and communities; public engagement and effective communication skills are essential for the post. Experience working with autistic people and/or people with learning disabilities is highly desirable.
Key duties and responsibilities
The post holder is required to:
- Work closely with the project leads and the project team to ensure that tasks of the project are carried out in a timely and effective way. These will include organisation of meetings, workshops and events; liaison with project partners and stakeholders; data collation and analysis; work on project comms and outputs, general administration.
- Report verbally and in writing on all aspects of work undertaken as required by the project leads
- Take part in project meetings and make presentations of the work done as agreed with the project leads
- Ensure confidentiality on all matters and information obtained during the course of employment and respect the confidentiality of data stored electronically and by other means in line with the Data Protection Act
Education, qualifications and experience
Essential criteria
- Applicants should hold an Honours degree in a Social Science related discipline e.g. Psychology, Social Science, Linguistics or related subject and have:
- Experience in participatory research methods
- Experience in working with community stakeholders
- Experience with applying for ethical approval
- Effective communication skills
- Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative
- Evidence of research ability: problem solving, flexibility
- Ability to work as part of a team at Heriot-Watt and more widely with the collaborators at other universities
Desirable criteria
- Masters Degree or equivalent
- Experience of interviewing research participants
- Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively
- Experience of working in a team environment
Some travel may be required across the central belt in Scotland.
Additional information
Applications can be submitted up to 23:59 (UK time) on Monday 10th July. Interviews will take place on Thursday 13th July with applicant's receiving notification of interview on Wednesday 12th July.
Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry.
Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt is also Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.
At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g.; part-time working and job share options.
