Research Assistant School of Medicine/College of Medicine and Health

6 Months, Specific Purpose Part-Time Post

Position Summary

Applications are invited for the position of Research Assistant in Paramedical Studies, School of Medicine. The negative health impacts of substance use/misuse/addiction and other forms of social exclusion are now well supported by international research evidence which shows significant implications on the mortality and associated morbidity of people experiencing addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Specific to alcohol and other drug use and healthcare generally, Irish national policy, has unequivocally created a quality standards and control environment in the delivery of addiction treatment services. Quality frameworks have evolved that create the assessment, measurement and improvement control mechanisms for healthcare providers. The National Drugs Rehabilitation Framework was developed in 2010 to provide a framework through which service providers will ensure that individuals affected by drug misuse are offered a range of integrated options tailored to meet their needs and create for them an individual rehabilitation pathway. Given the diversity of the supports required during rehabilitation, it is recognised that no one individual or agency has the range of competencies, expertise or resources to meet the needs of a Service User holistically. The care planning and case management process, including aftercare, with the consent protocols, is intended to co-ordinate the services being received and to identify, through assessments, which supports should be sought for the Service User. The Service User’s needs and input should be central to the development and on-going implementation of their individual care plan.

The successful candidate will be part of an experienced research team situated at the College of Medicine and Health, UCC, that will use various qualitative, quantitative, and participatory methods to evaluate outcomes of a structured aftercare programme for people who have completed a primary treatment for drug/alcohol addiction. The research programme also includes a process evaluation whereby a protocol will be developed for continued implementation of the aftercare programme. This position provides an opportunity to learn from experienced researchers in a variety of research methods and to gain knowledge in this area of Social Inclusion.

Project Title: Evaluation of the Coping Skills for Addiction Recovery Programme in Dublin North (Cosar Programme) 

Post Duration: 6 Months, Part-Time Post

Salary: €31,962 - €41,943 p.a. IUA Salary Scale 

For an information package including further details of the post see https://ore.ucc.ie/ 

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Eoin Coughlan, Lecturer, Paramedical Studies, School of Medicine, Email: eoin.coughlan@ucc.ie   

Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal (https://ore.ucc.ie/). Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to recruitment@ucc.ie, quoting the job-title and project name.

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Friday 21st March 2025

No late applications will be accepted.

Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector.

UCC is committed to creating and fully embracing an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated.  As a University we strive to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our student population where people from a wide variety of backgrounds learn from one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively. UCC is committed to being an employer that recognises the value of diversity amongst its staff.  We encourage applicants to consult our policies at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/policies and initiatives at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/implementation and we welcome applications of everyone, including those who are underrepresented in the protected characteristics set out in our Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy. 

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER