We have an exciting opportunity in the Department of Psychology for an enthusiastic Research Assistant. Working with Dr Nicola Buckland, you will be responsible for undertaking research-related activities required to conduct stakeholder engagement activities to co-design the intervention. The Research Assistant will also conduct focus groups with people at risk of chronic health conditions to assess the acceptability of the intervention.

Pulses (e.g., lentils, chickpeas, beans and peas), offer an environmentally sustainable and healthy alternative to meat consumption. However, despite these benefits, intake of pulses across the UK is low. While multiple studies have identified main barriers to eating pulses, there are limited interventions to encourage uptake of pulses in meat consumers at risk of chronic health conditions (e.g. people living with overweight, obesity or pre-diabetes).

This project will co-design with relevant stakeholders a behaviour change intervention to encourage the consumption of pulses and reduced meat intake in meat consumers at risk of chronic health conditions. The intervention will focus on encouraging consumption of widely available pulses (e.g. tinned lentils, chickpeas as found in most supermarkets), rather than novel or meat-substitute products.

The Psychology Department at the University of Sheffield is among the largest in the UK and has been consistently ranked as one of the outstanding research departments in all seven UK Research Assessment Exercises to date. Over 90% of our department’s research was classed as internationally excellent or world leading in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

What we offer

  • 8 days annual leave (including closure days and Bank Holidays), with the possibility to purchase up to ten additional days.
  • Up to 5 days of paid time off to cover emergency caring responsibilities.
  • A commitment to work life balance including, flexible working opportunities and hybrid working where possible.
  • A highly competitive pension scheme.
  • Discounts at participating shops and cinemas, and a cycle to work scheme.
  • A commitment to your development, with programmes, learning modules and mentoring schemes.
  • An inclusive and diverse workplace.
  • A commitment to your wellbeing, with confidential emotional support, support for those going through the menopause, experiencing fertility treatment and having a baby, paid leave for IVF treatment and more.

Further information can be found at https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits We are committed to exploring flexible working opportunities which benefit the individual and University. We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.