Research Associate (Gowen Autism study)

Greater Manchester Mental Health; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health care provider in Manchester is seeking a Research Coordinator for a project focusing on sensory-motor assessments for autistic adults. Responsibilities include participant recruitment, data analysis, and disseminating findings. The ideal candidate will have experience working with autistic individuals and strong analytical skills. This role covers maternity leave for six months and offers a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful research in the field of autism.

Qualifications

• Experience working with autistic adults and conducting research with this population.
• Knowledge of the brain and cognitive underpinnings of sensory and motor difficulties in autism is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Monitor participant recruitment and coordinate with OTs and the research team.
• Collate assessment reports into spreadsheets.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative analysis on collected data.
• Assist in developing workshops and surveys.
• Help design the toolkit and disseminate study findings.
• Support the two-phase study with participant recruitment and data collection.
• Maintain data integrity across all project activities.

Skills

Experience working with autistic adults

Experience co-producing research with autistic people

Experience in sensory-motor research

Strong analytical and spreadsheet skills

Excellent communication and team-working abilities

Job description

Role Overview

The aim of this project is to provide evidence for the need and acceptability of routine sensory‑motor assessments and treatment for autistic adults without Learning Disabilities, and to identify and map appropriate intervention pathways.

Responsibilities

• Monitor participant recruitment and coordinate with Occupational Therapists (OTs), the research team, and participants.
• Collate assessment reports and questionnaires into spreadsheets.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative analysis, including framework analysis, on collected data.
• Assist the Chief Investigator in developing, running, and contributing to workshops and the survey.
• Help design the toolkit and contribute to disseminating study findings through publications, presentations, PPI activities, and clinical material.
• Support the two‑phase study: phase 1 involves recruitment from diagnostic clinics, SMD assessment by OTs, follow‑up visits, and feasibility data collection; phase 2 focuses on developing a toolkit via workshops and survey involvement.
• Maintain data integrity and accuracy across all project activities.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience working with autistic adults and/or conducting research with this population.
• Experience co‑producing research with autistic people.
• Experience in sensory‑motor research.
• Knowledge of the brain and cognitive underpinnings of sensory and motor difficulties in autism (desirable).
• Strong analytical and spreadsheet skills.
• Excellent communication and team‑working abilities.

Contract Details

To cover maternity leave for six months in the first instance.

Funding

The project is funded by an NIHR Research for Patient Benefit grant.

About the Employer

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7,000 staff across more than 122 locations, delivering inpatient and community‑based mental health care throughout Greater Manchester, the North West of England, and beyond.

Contact Information

For further details or informal visits, contact Dr Emma Gowen, Chief Investigator: [e-mail]