Salary: £32,296 to £33,232 per annum (pro rata) Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you. Closing Date: 31 January 2025 The Role This is a fantastic opportunity to develop research skills, knowledge and confidence, and gain valuable experience of applied dementia research. The successful applicant will gain experience of a research environment and develop the practical skills required to undertake a research project, supported by an expert supervisor. The internship is funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria (ARC NENC). Timescale: It is anticipated the internship will begin in early 2025. WTE is expected to be up to 0.4, and approximately 6 months in duration, but can be flexible to suit individual circumstances and salary costs. Eligibility and requirements: We are looking for a social care practitioner who is keen to develop their skills, knowledge and confidence in research, with a view to applying their newly learned skills within their organisation, becoming research champions and considering a future practitioner-academic career. It is expected that the intern will: • Understand the research area and the aims of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Noth East and North Cumbria, or have willingness to learn these • Accept designated research projects, propose ideas and solutions, and present preliminary findings during the internship • Engage with the research community, public members (where relevant) and core ARC team • Maintain standards of confidentiality and understand ethical conduct in research • Undertake public involvement training from the ARC’s public involvement and community engagement manager • Adhere to the working patterns as agreed with the supervisor The intern will be supervised by an ARC NENC Dementia Fellow, who is a post-doctoral researcher whose research interests include dementia, mealtime care and care homes. The supervisor will work with the intern to produce a development plan to facilitate the completion of the internship. There will be regular supervisory meetings to support the intern. The internship will provide a working environment (either in person, virtual or mixed) that allows the intern to work with other researchers or clinicians, at a range of career stages. There will be academic opportunities where appropriate e.g., conference presentations and publications. This post is fixed term for a period of up to 6 months, for 0.4 full time equivalent. For informal enquiries contact: james.faradaynhs.net Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/ Find out more about our Research Institutes here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/ Find out more about the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration’s dementia fellow programme here: Introducing our new Dementia Research Fellows - ARC Key Accountabilities There will be opportunity for the successful applicant to shape the activities undertaken during their internship to meet their development needs, but suggested activities may include one or more of the following: • Development of a survey and/or literature review to obtain information on current and preferred training models in care homes • Deliver public involvement and community engagement work to explore future priorities in mealtime care research • Building connections with practitioner-researchers across the region and beyond, and shadowing research-capacity building work within the host organisation, to develop a greater understanding of the research landscape and available opportunities. • Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements • Present research findings with support from the project supervisor • Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment. • Contribution to the research programme of the School/Institute under the clear guidance of a member of an academic staff or Principal Investigator • Use initiative and creativity to analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes • Co-ordinate own work with that of others, deal with problems which may affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s) • Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project • Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, book) • Work to deadlines and manage, with support, competing priorities • Ensure that personal knowledge in relevant fields of study is kept up to date • Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate • Maintain academic standards and freedom, and work in accordance with university policies (e.g. equal opportunities, health and safety policies) • Undertake relevant training and development activities to develop capacity for taking on wider responsibilities • Develop, with advice, an awareness of own professional development needs and a personal development strategy The Person Knowledge, Skills and Experience • Some subject knowledge in the relevant area • Good level of analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex information clearly, both orally and through the written word • The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues • The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems • Ability to work well as part of a team and acquire new skills • Analytical and problem-solving capability • Good verbal and written communication skills • Good organisation and time management skills Desirable • Research skills in literature searching • Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment Attributes and Behaviour • Professionalism • Demonstrate high levels of confidentiality in relation to research Qualifications • Currently studying towards a qualification in a health and social care related subject area or has already obtained this • Undergraduate degree or relevant professional experience / qualifications Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution. We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population. At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme. In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. Requisition ID: 27839