Research Associate in Pain Management in MND

Overview

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits and join us to become part of something special.

Overview We are seeking an outstanding early-career researcher to lead a 36-month, innovative mixed-methods project, titled: “A mixed-methods approach to optimise pain assessment and management in motor neuron disease (MND):
Developing a UK clinical practice framework”.

Funded by the MND Association, this project addresses the urgent need for evidence-based, standardised approaches to pain assessment with direct clinical application in the management of MND. You will join Dr Haris Stavroulakis, a Principal Investigator within the Better Outcomes for MND Research group at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN). This group is a world-leader in translating research into clinical practice.

You will collaborate with a high-calibre interdisciplinary team including experts in qualitative methodology (Dr Alys Griffiths), patient reported outcomes (Professor Jill Carlton), palliative medicine (Dr Caroline Barry), and telehealth and inclusive research design (Dr Liam Knox).

We will employ a mixed-methods approach to: i) map current UK clinical practice and identify gaps in pain assessment and management across MND care centres; ii) elicit stakeholder experiences and preferences regarding pain management to ensure the framework is patient-centred and inclusive of those with complex communication needs; iii) critically appraise assessment tools/questionnaires to identify the most effective instruments for identifying and monitoring pain in MND;

iv) quantify real-world pain prevalence and treatment burden through a prospective longitudinal cohort study utilising telehealth infrastructures; and v) develop and reach consensus on a UK clinical practice framework that provides clear pathways for clinicians to assess and manage pain effectively.

• Project management: leading the delivery of the research, ensuring milestones are achieved across all phases of the study.
• Protocol development and governance: writing study protocols and supporting documentation; leading submissions for ethical (IRAS/HRA), governance, and regulatory approvals in accordance with Good Clinical Practice.
• Clinical practice mapping: designing and deploying national surveys to healthcare professionals and MND centres to evaluate current UK pain management landscapes.
• Qualitative research: conducting semi-structured interviews and focus groups with patients, informal caregivers, and professionals, ensuring the inclusion of participants with complex communication needs.
• Outcome measure appraisal: supporting the systematic appraisal of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) using the COSMIN framework.
• Longitudinal cohort study: coordinating a prospective study to quantify pain prevalence and treatment burden. This includes utilising telehealth infrastructures for recruitment and data collection.
• Data analysis: collecting and analysing complex mixed-methods data, integrating qualitative themes with quantitative findings to inform the clinical framework.
• Framework development: leading the synthesis of findings and facilitating consensus to develop a UK clinical practice framework.
• Recruitment, consent and PPIE: leading participant recruitment and informed consent procedures, maintaining high ethical standards and participant retention. This includes organising and conducting PPIE activities to support the meaningful involvement of people affected by MND.
• Dissemination: leading the drafting of high-quality manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication and presenting research findings at national and international conferences.
• Team
  
  Collabo…