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School/Department or Research Centre	School of Social Sciences, Media and Communication, Department of Psychology
Role Title	Research Assistant
Responsible to	Professor Marie Reid
Responsible for	Assisting the principal investigator in planning and undertaking qualitative data collection and analysis in order to determine the experiences and understandings that those with an intellectual disability, and those involved in their care, have about food choice and activity.
Salary/Grade	Grade 6 - £25,751 - £28,983 (with possible progression to £31,671).
Hours	0.6 FTE
Contract Basis	1 Year
Location	Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh but with some travel across Mid and East Lothian.

Role Purpose

The aim of this investigation is to explore the perspectives of four stakeholder groups: overweight and obese people with a learning disability; family carers; paid carers and project leaders of day centres involved in caring for adults 18+ with an intellectual disability. Data will be collected predominantly through one-to-one interviews and analysed using grounded theory. The primary responsibilities for the successful candidate will include; recruitment of participants, conducting individual interviews and focus group interview, transcription, coding and inductive analysis, as well as the analysis of 24 hr food diaries. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute towards the final report to the Chief Scientist Office and preparation of the final manuscript for publication as well as dissemination of the findings at key conferences. Recommendations for successful nutritional and activity strategies will be made based on the results of the analysis.

Principle Duties and Key Objectives

To take a lead role in the day to day operation of the project

Be responsible for recruitment of the four stakeholder groups and for conducting in depth one to one interviews as well as a focus group interview with the learning disability group

To take a lead role in the collection of data and analysis of data

To substantially contribute to the process of grounded theory analysis and the write up of the final report as well as preparation of the manuscript for publication.

To contribute to the dissemination of the research findings, including at key conferences

Person Specification - Essential	Person Specification – Desirable
Appropriate undergraduate degree (e.g. Psychology, Nutrition, Sociology).	An understanding of other qualitative methodologies other than grounded theory would be advantageous but is not essential.
A postgraduate qualification either to Masters or PhD level in a relative discipline e.g Psychology, Nutrition, Medical Sociology.	Previous work experience either voluntary or paid with vulnerable groups would be of benefit.
Experience of qualitative research, including interviewing, transcribing and coding and appropriate analysis.	Experience of analysing food diaries using Netwisp would be useful but is not essential.
Have a full, clean driving license and be prepared to travel in order to undertake data collection.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to participants, their carers, project leaders and the clinical academic team.
Ability to take directions from the principal investigator as well as experience of planning and managing own programme of research activity on an ongoing basis, in order to meet agreed deadlines for the project as set by the funding body. Experience of writing to a high standard in order to facilitate the production of the final report to the fund holders and the final manuscript for publication in a scientific journal. Knowledge and experience of the ethics process are essential as well as familiarity with the BPS, NHS and University ethics guidelines.

Working with Queen Margaret University (QM)

Since its inception in 1875, QM has made a crucial and distinctive contribution to the country's tertiary and higher education, by focusing its expertise on issues of pressing social need and by engaging directly with the community, while also demonstrating its agility in adapting to the rapidly changing agenda for research-led higher education.

Today, QM is gearing up to play a key role in Scotland's world class higher education sector. It aims to be the low-volume, high-quality university of first choice for talented individuals seeking an education and research experience in health and related studies, culture or enterprise, within an institution that is distinguished by its collaborative and innovative approach to research and teaching and close involvement with the local community.

QM specialises in professional education and research that informs the development of policy and practice in health, drama & creative arts, media & social science and business & enterprise. The expert knowledge developed at Queen Margaret touches people's everyday lives.

Our Mission Statement

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life and serve communities, through excellence and leadership in vocationally and professionally relevant education, research and consultancy, as a university which is outward looking and committed to innovation, participation and lifelong learning.

Our Vision Statement

We intend to be a university that is an integral part of the community offering a distinctive range of courses and services to a wide variety of students, employers and customers.

We will have a strong national and international focus, continuing to attract students from many nations and additionally delivering in-country courses through a range of partnerships with overseas educational institutions.

You can find out more about our plans for the future in our Strategic Plan. Full and summary versions are available from Strategic Planning and Development via our website on the following link: http://www.qmuc.ac.uk/sppu/planning.htm.

ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES, RESEARCH CENTRES & SUPPORT DEPARTMENTS

School of Business & Enterprise :

Business & Management

Hospitality & Tourism

Consumer & Retail Management

School of Drama and Creative Industries :

Drama & Performance

Production & Cultural Management

School of Health Sciences :

Physiotherapy

Occupational Therapy & Art Therapy

Nursing

Podiatry

Radiography

Dietetics, Nutrition & Biological Sciences

School of Social Sciences, Media and Communication :

Psychology

Media, Sociology and Communication

Speech & Hearing Sciences

CENTRES

Centre for Academic Practice (CAP)

Centre for the Older Person’s Agenda (COPA)

Centre for Integrated Healthcare Research (CIHR)

Children’s Hearing and Training Unit (CHTU)

Speech Science Research Centre (SSRC)

International Study Centre (ISC)

Centre for Community Arts, Research and Practice (CCARP)

Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL)

SUPPORT DEPARTMENTS

Estates and Facilities

Marketing and Communications Office

Development Office

Library

Information Services

Educational Resource Centre

Strategic Policy and Research Support Unit

Finance

Human Resources

Hospitality Services

Student Records

Admissions and Recruitment

Quality Enhancement

Student Services

Academic Support [School Office Administration]

QUEEN MARGARET UNIVERSITY - EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Superannuation

This post is superannuable and the postholder will have the opportunity to join the scheme. Contributions are deducted as follows.

Category of Staff	Pension Scheme	Employee Contribution
Support /Research	LGSS	6%
Academic	STSS	6%

New employees who have been members of the Universities Superannuation Scheme immediately prior to joining QM are permitted to continue their membership of this scheme. The maximum permitted break in membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme is one month. Employee contributions of this scheme are 6.35%.

Annual Leave

The leave year runs from 1 October to 30 September. Annual leave entitlement for staff with less than one year's service and/or work part-time will be pro-rated accordingly. Annual leave entitlement for staff with less than one year's service and/or work part-time will be pro-rated accordingly.

Category of Staff	Annual Leave Entitlement	Closure Days
Academic	38	8
Support	31	8

Flexible Working

The development and implementation of a flexible working strategy has been identified as a priority under QM’s organisational development plan and will meet academic and operational requirements as well as provide options for individual members of staff.

Learning and Development

QM is committed to providing all employees with learning and development opportunities in support of their professional and personal development. As an institution committed to life long learning, QM recognises the need to invest in learning and development providing employees with the skills, knowledge and opportunities they need to learn and develop in their role. The University College has an ambitious strategic plan and a commitment to and investment in the personal and professional development of our employees are integral to the delivery of that plan.

QM will work with all employees to support them in developing the knowledge and skills needed to develop continually in their career. QM will make every effort to ensure where practically and reasonably possible learning and development needs and aspirations are met. The responsibility for meeting these needs is a shared one between the employee and the University College.

Health and Wellbeing Strategy

QM recognises the importance of creating and maintaining a healthy and safe working environment for both staff and students and is committed to creating an environment to improve the current and future health of QM by adopting a planned approach to occupational health. A healthy workforce is integral to our strategic plan and to achieve these objectives the University College has put in place a Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Sick Pay

QM offers generous sick pay entitlement, providing a possible maximum benefit of six months full pay and six months half pay depending on length of service. This scheme enhances Statutory Sick Pay provisions. Further details are available from Human Resources.

Library

All staff and students of QM are entitled to join the Library free of charge. The Library supports teaching, learning and research across QM and to provides for the information needs, whether print based, electronic or audiovisual.

Gym Facilities

The QM Sports Centre includes Fitness Suite, Squash Court , Astroturf (suitable for Football, Tennis and Hockey Training) and Sports Hall (suitable for Badminton, Basketball, Table Tennis, Netball and Volleyball).

The sports department reviews and compares prices regularly with competitors to ensure a high quality and value for money service. The facilities can be used and paid for on each visit, or you may purchase a Sports Membership.

Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Arrangements

Subject to a qualifying length of service, employees are entitled to Occupational Maternity and Paternity pay, which enhances Statutory Maternity and Paternity pay.

Employee Counselling Service

Whenever you have a problem, Employee Counselling Service is available to help. This is a free, confidential service, independent of QM.

RE:LOCATE

The vision for the new campus is

to create a campus that provides a student centred learning experience, encourages lifelong learning and facilitates research and commercialisation in QM's specialist subject areas.
to create a sustainable campus that is welcoming and inspiring to staff, students, visitors and the local community.
to create modern attractive buildings in a 'campus in the park' setting.
to create an attractive, distinctive campus that represents the unique characteristics of QM.
to create a campus that is fit for purpose and achieves value for money.

This is the first entirely new higher education campus in Scotland for 30 years. Designed to provide a student-centred learning experience, encourage lifelong learning and facilitate research and commercialisation, the site will easily accommodate our academic portfolio, as well as residential, sport and recreation requirements.

Location and Travel to Craighall

The location for the new campus is on the eastern fringe of Edinburgh, right beside the seaside town of Musselburgh. The 35 acre site is bordered by the main east coast rail line to London and the A1.

Musselburgh Station is situated just beside the new campus. Trains run from Waverley to Musselburgh with the journey taking only six minutes. In addition, the campus is only a ten minute walk from Newcraighall Station, which provides access to West Lothian and Stirlingshire. We hope to be able to negotiate enhancement of current train services as well as discounted fares for students.

Bus-users will benefit from frequent bus services which already pass close to the site from West and Central Edinburgh, Portobello, Penicuik and Dalkeith.

The National Cycle Route 1 runs right through the site from Edinburgh and there will be secure bicycle parking facilities on campus plus changing and showering facilities for cyclists.

The campus is only a fifteen minute walk from central Musselburgh.

For more information please visit: http://www.qmu.ac.uk

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last modified 24/02/07

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh EH21 6UU - Tel: +44 (0)131 474 0000

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