Research Associate; Navigating Neurodisability Prison Gates

Research Associate (Navigating Neurodisability Through The Prison Gates)

Join to apply for the Research Associate (Navigating Neurodisability Through The Prison Gates) role at The University of Sheffield

Working with:
Project Manager, Co‑Investigators, partner organisations, co‑researchers.

The School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations is seeking a Research Associate with advanced qualitative skills and experience working with people in the justice system with complex needs related to neurodiversity or disability. The postholder will support a major NIHR School for Social Care Research (SSCR) project examining how social care needs are identified and met for people with neurodisability while in prison and during their transition into the community.

This co‑produced, multi‑site, longitudinal study involves working closely with partner organisations including Revolving Doors, Access Social Care, NHS RECONNECT, prison neurodiversity teams, probation, and local authority social care. The Research Associate (RA) will play a central role in coordinating fieldwork, supporting co‑researchers in custody, and conducting interviews with staff and individuals leaving prison.

The role requires excellent interpersonal skills, sensitivity to neurodiversity and trauma, and the ability to work in complex environments across criminal justice and social care settings.

• Provide day‑to‑day project management across all five work packages, ensuring activities progress on time and to plan.
• Coordinate access, scheduling and logistics across prisons, probation sites, and community locations.
• Work closely with the PI and Research Associate to manage a large and dynamic interview schedule involving multiple partners.
• Maintain project records, progress trackers, risk registers and reporting systems in line with NIHR SSCR requirements.
• Develop and maintain effective communication channels across the research team, prisons, probation, NHS, and third‑sector partners.
• Support the PI with preparation and submission of HMPPS, University and HRA ethics documentation.
• Monitor milestones and alert the PI to emerging risks or delays, supporting problem‑solving and contingency planning.

• Manage project expenditure, working with University finance teams to ensure accurate forecasting, monitoring, and reconciliation.
• Oversee payment processes for co‑researchers in custody (via prison finance), in line with MoJ guidance.
• Arrange purchasing, travel bookings, reimbursement claims and procurement of training or workshop materials.
• Ensure financial and administrative compliance with University and NIHR regulations.

• Act as the operational liaison between the University and external partners including prison governors, neurodiversity support managers, probation leaders, NHS RECONNECT staff, Access Social Care, and Revolving Doors.
• Coordinate co‑researcher training sessions, insight sessions, reflective support meetings and workshops delivered with Revolving Doors and partner organisations.
• Promote and support co‑production principles, helping ensure accessible communication, trauma‑informed practices and inclusive engagement.
• Maintain regular communication with people with lived experience and practitioners involved in advisory groups and dissemination activities.

• Coordinate meetings of the Advisory Group, including agenda preparation, minute‑taking, and follow‑up on actions.
• Support planning and delivery of cross‑prison online meetings, co‑production workshops, training sessions and reflective practice groups.
• Lead logistical planning for the regional dissemination workshop, including venue, invitations, travel, access arrangements and materials.
• Assist with dissemination activities including updating webpages, supporting toolkit development processes and coordinating contributions from partners.

• Maintain secure filing systems for documents, ethics submissions, approvals and partner correspondence.
• Support adherence to GDPR, NIHR and HMPPS data management protocols.
• Ensure research activity is conducted within the required ethical frameworks, escalating concerns where appropriate.

• Uphold the University’s…