Research Assistant in Thermal Imaging Project

From state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites and specialist sport facilities to valuable placement opportunities, the School of Health, Sport and Rehabilitation focuses on ensuring our student graduate ready for the challenges of modern healthcare, sport and rehabilitation. Our career-focused courses are designed with industry partners and delivered by experienced academics and practitioners., Sport and Exercise Science at University of Derby covers physiology and psychology; biomechanics and performance analysis; strength, conditioning and rehabilitation; sport management; sport education and coaching. The discipline focuses on performance sports, exercise and recreational sports, and physical activity for health and wellbeing. We engage with industry and ensure impact through our applied provision across a broad range of professional, semi-professional and amateur sport organisations across Derbyshire, including Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Derby County Football Club, Derby Rugby Football Club, Derventio Swimming Club, Derbyshire Institute of Sport, and Active Derbyshire.

Our industry-informed and student-led approach, combined with our wide knowledge and skill set in a broad spectrum of areas within health and performance, drive industry standards and promote development, transition and independence. This creates a vibrant, exciting and inclusive place for our students to learn and allows our graduates to make a real impact in the health and sporting world.

The main purpose of the role is to provide dedicated operational and research support for the EMERGE RehabTech-funded thermal imaging feasibility study in primary care. You will support the day-to-day delivery of the project, including study setup, participant recruitment support, informed consent processes, data collection, thermal image management, questionnaire administration, data entry, and preliminary analysis.

As a Research Assistant, core duties will include working under the guidance of the Principal Investigator, liaising with the participating GP practice and clinical team, supporting recruitment of eligible participants, ensuring accurate completion of case report forms, managing pseudonymised research data, assisting with MATLAB-based thermal image processing, supporting analysis of patient and clinician feedback, and contributing to reports, dissemination materials and academic outputs. Some travel between the University of Derby and the participating GP practice will be required.

Key deliverables will include supporting recruitment of up to 50 participants, maintaining high-quality and complete study records, supporting patient and clinician acceptability data collection, contributing to the feasibility and cost-comparison analysis, and helping prepare the final project report.

This role offers career development in applied health research, NHS research governance, primary care innovation, thermal imaging methods, patient-facing research, PPIE, data management, feasibility study delivery and health technology evaluation.

We are looking for a motivated and organised candidate with a good degree, or equivalent experience, in a relevant discipline such as sport and exercise science, physiotherapy, health sciences, psychology, biomedical science, public health or a related area. You will have experience of supporting research activity, collecting and managing data accurately, working with participants, and contributing to project delivery.

Essential skills include strong organisation, attention to detail, clear written and verbal communication, the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, and confidence using Microsoft Office/Excel. You must be able to follow research protocols, maintain confidentiality, handle data responsibly, and work professionally with academic, NHS and patient/public contributors.

No statutory professional registration is required, as the role will not provide clinical care or make clinical decisions. The non-negotiables are reliability, research integrity, excellent data handling, willingness to complete required research governance training, and the ability to travel to the participating GP practice when required.

Experience of NHS or clinical research, qualitative or quantitative data analysis, questionnaire administration, PPIE, thermal imaging, MATLAB, SPSS or health technology evaluation would be advantageous.