Research Assistant

Fixed term: 24 months (continuation beyond 6 months is dependent on the successful completion of part one of the project leading to the second tranche of grant funding being issued)

Hours
Part time - 15 hours per week (Days and times by agreement with line manager and principal investigator on the research project), The purpose of this post is to assist with a research project funded by the Sir Halley Stewart Trust and hosted by OxCSWell (Oxford Centre for Spirituality and Wellbeing) at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OHFT) in collaboration with the University of Oxford Centre for Suicide Research.
OxCSWell
The purpose of OxCSWell is the development and dissemination of an holistic model of patient care grounded in the understanding that in order for people to flourish, health care staff need to take account of spiritual and religious need. OxCSWell's aim is to generate practice-based evidence of the benefits of an integrated approach to care through research which underpins the development of training so that NHS staff are equipped and supported in the provision of spiritual care. The purpose of the Research Assistant is to contribute to the realisation of this vision.
Research Project - Religion and spirituality in suicide bereavement and postvention
The aim of this project is to both provide important insights into the role of religion and spirituality in suicide bereavement and postvention and provide information which can be used to help people experiencing such an important loss., + Assist with the completion of legal framework for the research, including ethics approval and data-protection impact assessment;
+ Contribute to development of the research methodology;
+ Recruit participants from established support groups with the support of experts by experience e.g. Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS), Suicide Bereavement UK;
+ Assist with all aspects of the research project in accordance with the requirements of the grant description and conditions;
+ Contribute to and assist with any relevant OxCSWell events related to the research project;
+ Complete a written annual report on project progress after each 12 month-period and provide quarterly reports to the OxCSWell Board;
+ Offer regular updates to and gain feedback from the OxCSWell reference group;
+ Assist with the preparation of results and their publication in two peer-reviewed health and social care journals, contribute to a half-day national conference, assist with the presentation of results to the OxCSWell research network and assist with an application to present a paper at the 2025 International Network for the Study of Spirituality conference.
As this project develops there may be additional tasks such as liaising with NHS Trusts or charitable organisations.
In addition, there is a grant requirement to develop an initial exploratory study of young people's social media and internet pornography use and how they perceive this impacts their spirituality, mental health and wellbeing., Policy/ Strategy Responsibility
+ Develop a research participant recruitment strategy
+ Demonstrate an understanding of the factors that affect recruitment to a research programme.
Budget/resource/finance management
+ Prioritise work in an effective manner
+ Act independently and use own initiative to develop collaborative research relationships with NHS and University staff.
Records/Data Management
+ Collect and maintain data and study documentation (including site files), where appropriate in a systematic manner and ensure accurate data entry in accordance with the legislation and guidelines governing research in the UK, ensuring the confidential storage of data at all times
+ Provide written reports regarding the progress of the research in accordance with the grant conditions.
Case/Patient Management
+ Maintain professional integrity in line with your relevant Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct.
Health and Safety/Safeguarding Responsibilities
+ Recognise that promoting the welfare and safeguarding children, young people and adults is everyone's business and access training and supervision as appropriate to the role.
+ Raise concerns appropriately in line with the Trust's Safeguarding Adults Policy and the Child Protection Policy and interagency safeguarding procedures.
+ Comply with recruitment and other checks as requested by the organisation including undertaking an Enhanced Disclosure via the Criminal Records Bureau.
+ Take responsibility for the health & safety of themselves and other persons who may be affected by their omissions or actions at work.
+ Report accidents, incidents and near misses, implementing corrective action where necessary.
Audit/Inspections
+ Take part in local, internal/external audits/inspections
Research work
+ Act independently and use own initiative to develop collaborative research relationships with NHS and University staff
+ Work proactively to engage with staff and participants and recruit to the research project.
+ Meet regularly for supervision with Line Manager, Principal Researcher, and OxCSWell reference group members to ensure that the research recruitment strategy is developed and research practice is conducted in a legal and ethical manner.
+ Develop sound relationships with participants and staff based upon respect and an understanding of mental capacity and consent to participate in research
+ Provide staff and participants with information about the purpose of studies, the rationale for their selection and the consequences of participating
+ Ensure that participants have good support mechanisms before, during and following their participation in a research study
+ Build effective working relationships with clinical team staff and university staff.
+ Work with managers, supervisors and OxCSWell reference group members to establish and maintain effective, collaborative relationships and networks with colleagues in the interest of participants and staff.
+ Communicate effectively with all stakeholders, both internal and external, involved in the research project.
Project work
+ Under the direction of the Principal Researcher, undertake research activities as detailed in grant documents, research protocols and other Trust requirements where appropriate, using sound research ethics principles and in with accordance with the legislation and guidelines governing research in the UK
+ Collaborate with managers, supervisors and the OxCSWell reference group to develop work plans in accordance with the research objectives
+ With support from the Principal Researcher, complete NHS Ethics applications and approval processes.
+ All new starters have a 6 month probationary period. This, together with the induction process, aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale
+ Candidates not currently employed by the Trust who attend an interview for non-qualified Band 1-5 posts are required to undertake numeracy and literacy assessments.
+ Appointment to this post is subject to the trust receiving satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment or study. Please ask your referees to respond promptly to reference requests.
+ Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
+ We are ambitious in our pursuit of excellence, driven by the belief that a fair, just and fully inclusive organisational culture enables our teams to deliver the best quality of care and services possible and we work hard to ensure that our diverse workforce reflects the communities that we serve.
+ We welcome applications from all sections of the community, are an Equal Opportunities employer with a number of internal networking groups to support our employees and where possible will always look to make reasonable adjustments in order that you can fulfil the role to recognise your full potential. All our employees are committed to demonstrating through their behaviour our core values - safe, caring and excellent.
+ Oxford Health is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
+ Oxford is a world-renowned centre of excellence for research. Oxford Health works closely with the University of Oxford department of Psychiatry and the Department of Primary care, has a Biomedical Research Centre dedicated to improving mental health and the NIHR Clinical Research Facility at the Warneford site. The Trust also hosts the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) which carries out applied research that directly impacts patient health and wellbeing

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has been rated as Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
We are a responsive and innovative Foundation Trust that places our values of Caring, Safe and Excellent at the heart of everything we do. We take great pride in our staff and believe that investing in you is key to us achieving our vision of outstanding care delivered by outstanding people.
We work with a wide range of partner organisations to deliver care and support to people in their own homes and from a number of hospitals and community bases. We focus on delivering care as close to home as possible for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.
Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible
Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"
Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"
At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
+ Excellent opportunities for career progression
+ Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
+ 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
+ NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
+ Competitive pension scheme
+ Lease car scheme
+ Cycle to work scheme
+ Employee Assistance Programme
+ Mental Health First Aiders
+ Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists may apply)
+ Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team