Research Assistant

About the role

Indoor air quality can have a real impact on respiratory health, and the CLEAR-IT study sets out to investigate exactly that. The study works directly with households across the community to collect real-world data on air quality and health.

This Research Assistant post supports the human exposure strand of the study. It is a field-based post, working on site at Space Park Leicester and carrying out two to three home visits per day.

The work involves:

• Home visits - installing, checking and collecting air monitoring equipment, travelling daily between Space Park Leicester and participants’ homes across Leicester and Leicestershire, and transporting equipment and colleagues
• Engaging participants - introducing the study, answering questions and building trust
• Data collection - gathering respiratory and exposure-related measurements, with accurate records that meet ethical and quality standards
• Equipment preparation - testing and readying sampling kits before each visit
• Fieldwork problem-solving - adapting plans and handling issues independently during visits
• Team meetings - taking part in regular project meetings and sharing progress updates

The Principal Investigator leads the wider project team, with support strongest in the early stages. As your experience grows, so does the scope for independent fieldwork and ownership.

About you

We’re looking for someone with an honours degree (or equivalent relevant experience) in a health, environmental, biological or related discipline, who is comfortable working independently in participants’ homes and out in the community.

You’ll bring practical experience of working on clinical research studies involving human participants, such as recruiting participants, gaining informed consent and collecting clinical data or samples, along with experience collecting data or samples in community or non-laboratory settings.

A full UK driving licence, held at the time of application, is essential, along with the ability and willingness to drive daily to multiple homes across the Leicester area.

You will need excellent communication skills, confidence engaging with people from a wide range of backgrounds, and strong organisational skills to plan a busy schedule of visits and keep accurate, compliant records. Above all, we’re looking for someone enthusiastic about contributing to high-quality, ethically robust research that makes a genuine impact on public health.

Additional information

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Rebecca Cordell at rc145@leicester.ac.uk.

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

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