Research Assistant in the Epi-Safe Project (2 posts available)

BACKGROUND

The University of Manchester invites applications for a Research Assistant for the NIHR Funded Epi-Safe Project. The Epi-Safe Project is a collaborative project led by Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust to improve the clinical care of women with epilepsy and their children. Researchers and clinicians at the University of Manchester are leading on the Epi-Follow Study (Work package 4) of this initiative.

Certain antiseizure medications have deleterious effects on the developing brain in utero causing a range of neuropsychological difficulties, which may convey lifelong implications for the child. Therefore, selecting the right medication to treat the parental epilepsy, whilst balancing potential risks to the fetus is challenging and relies on comprehensive knowledge regarding the children previously exposed to these medications and their longer term health and neurodevelopmental profiles. Joining Drs Bromley and Bluett-Duncan and the wider Epi-Safe team the successful post holder will work on the Epi-Follow Study, a sub study of the Epi-Safe Project. As part of the Epi-Follow Study neuropsychological profile data from around 600 children born to women with epilepsy across the UK will be collected. The research assistant will complete neurodevelopmental assessments with children aged 8-14 years as well as contributing to the overall running of the study, including scoring of assessments, data entry and other research-based tasks.

We are looking for an individual with experience in child or developmental psychology, paediatric neuropsychology, or related discipline. The post-holder will have to commit to working one Saturday a month (time off in lieu will be given). Travel around the UK is a required part of this post and therefore access to a car is essential, as is an enhanced DBS check due to work with children and their families. This research group has strong links to the Paediatric Clinical Neuropsychology Department at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and therefore this post may apply to those with an interest in a career in Clinical Psychology or Clinical Neuropsychology.

There are two Research Assistant roles available for this project with different contract lengths available, 1 for 12 months and 1 for 18 months. Please specify in your supporting information statement which of the contracts you'd like to be considered for.

What you will get in return: