Research Associate or Research Assistant

About the role

The Diabetes Research Centre and NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre are looking to recruit a talented, motivated individual to join an established, successful research team and contribute to a programme of work investigating the role of nutrition and dietetics, alone or in combination with other clinical management strategies (e.g. pharmacotherapy, physical activity, bariatric/metabolic surgery) in promoting metabolic homeostasis and whole-body health in diverse populations with or at risk of chronic cardiometabolic conditions (e.g. obesity, type 2 diabetes etc.). This includes working on the upcoming HEAL-D multi-centre randomised controlled trial, which is funded by a prestigious NIHR HTA grant award.

The appointed individual will join the Leicester Lifestyle and Health Research Group, as part of the Lifestyle Theme of the prestigious NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), working closely with Professor Louise Goff. They will be based at the Leicester Diabetes Centre (Leicester General Hospital), which is internationally recognised for its research in diabetes, obesity, and lifestyle behaviours, and also hosts the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands, the NIHR Patient Recruitment Centre: Leicester, and the Centre for Ethnic Health Research.

We welcome applications from individuals with various backgrounds/expertise relevant to the topic area (e.g. diet/nutrition, health sciences, lifestyle sciences, health psychology/wellbeing), but enthusiasm for the topic will be expected, along with the ability and willingness to both learn and synthesise evidence and work with colleagues from various subject areas.

Applications are welcomed at either Research Associate (Grade 7) or Research Assistant (Grade 6) level. Please review the job summaries accompanying this advert and indicate within your application which post you are applying for. The post is advertised for 2 years initially, but with likely extension beyond this date as the programme of work develops.

The post provides an excellent opportunity for an ambitious researcher to work on a prestigious flagship project within a novel priority area, and contribute to the ongoing development of our Research Centre alongside their own professional development.

About you

As a Research Associate (G7), you will have a PhD in a relevant discipline alongside evidence of contributing independently to experimental or translational research studies and peer-reviewed journal publications. You will have strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, and excellent written and oral communication skills, with an ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.

As a Research Assistant (G6), you will have a MSc or PhD in a relevant discipline alongside an understanding of, or experience in, conducting experimental or translational research studies (which may have been acquired either in paid employment or as a student). You will have a strong interest in developing a career in research, a willingness to undertaking training and personal development, and the ability to work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary research team.

Additional information

Enquiries are welcome and should be made to Professor Louise Goff (louise.goff@leicester.ac.uk) or Dr Jack Sargeant (jack.sargeant@uhl-tr.nhs.uk)

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world. As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community. We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Vacancy terms

Full-time (job share considered) fixed term contract for two years