Research Assistant

Overview

As a research assistant, you will work on the project “Understanding barriers to the use of alcohol-free and low-alcohol (No/Lo) drinks to reduce alcohol consumption among individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds” funded by the Institute of Alcohol studies from January-December 2025. You will join a team of researchers including Dr Merve Mollaahmetoglu, Dr Inge Kersbergen, and Professor John Holmes at the University of Sheffield and other collaborators based elsewhere in the UK. You will also be a part of the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG). SARG is a team of researchers conducting innovative research on alcohol policy, tobacco control and gambling harm.

The research assistant will provide research support to the project. This will involve participant recruitment, data collection and project administration, and contributing to data analysis and dissemination. The project aims to understand and reduce barriers to the substitution of alcoholic drinks with No/Lo alternatives among individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, informed by the Capability Opportunity and Motivation model of behaviour (COM-B). The second aim of the project is to investigate how the availability and affordability of No/Lo drinks in the off trade varies between deprived and affluent communities. To achieve these aims, we will conduct two separate studies. The first study involves semi structured interviews with individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds and will be analysed using thematic analysis. The second study will involve a retail audit of off-trade shops in deprived and affluent local areas.

Main duties and responsibilities

As a research assistant you will:

• Contribute to ethics application for the studies
• Recruit participants from the local community, organise and undertake semi structured interviews with participants
• Contribute to analysis of qualitative interview data
• Undertake retail audit of availability and affordability of no and low alcohol drinks in local off trade shops
• Undertake administrative research tasks such as communicating with participants, organising interview venue bookings and processing participant reimbursements
• Contribute to dissemination of research results (e.g., papers in academic journals, blogs and/or public engagement events)
• Attend and contribute to project meetings and other relevant meetings in the School of
• Psychology and in other departments at the University of Sheffield.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• Hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as psychology or a related discipline (assessed at: application)
• Experience of recruiting research participants from the local community (assessed at: application form/interview)
• Understanding of qualitative research methods including semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis (assessed at: application form/interview)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a research team (assessed at: application form/interview)
• Excellent organisation skills including managing multiple tasks and meeting deadlines (assessed at: application form/interview)
• Ability to produce academic work to a high standard (assessed at: application form)
• Strong attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in data collection, analysis, and administrative tasks (assessed at: application form/interview).

Desirable criteria

• Hold a master’s or other postgraduate degree in a relevant subject such as psychological research methods, clinical or health psychology (assessed at: application/interview)
• Experience of conducting semi-structured interviews (assessed at: application form/interview)
• Experience of recruiting research participants from underrepresented backgrounds (assessed at: application form/ interview)
• Understanding of alcohol consumption and/or health inequalities (assessed at: applications form/interview)

Further Information

Grade: 6.1

Salary: £31,387 

Working Hours: 7 hours per week

Duration: 6 months fixed term, starting as soon as possible.

Line manager: Principal Investigator

Direct reports: N/A

For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Merve Mollaahmetoglu, Principal Investigator: on m.mollaahmetoglu@sheffield.ac.uk

For administration queries and details on the application process, contact the lead recruiter:

Next steps in the recruitment process

Following the closing date, we will contact you by email to let you know whether or not you have been shortlisted to participate in the next stage of the selection process. Please note that due to the large number of applications that we receive, it may take up to two working weeks following the closing date before the recruiting department will be able to contact you.

It is anticipated interviews will be held mid to late February. Full details will be provided to invited candidates.

If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Isabella Badini Confalonieri via i.badini.confalonieri@sheffield.ac.uk .

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.