Research Fellow

Location: Brunel University London, Uxbridge Campus

Salary (R1 Grade): £37,841 to £41,100 inclusive of London Weighting with the potential to progress to £44,663 per annum inclusive of London Weighting (Pro-rata if Part-time)

Hours: Full-time or Part-time

Contract Type: Fixed-term (14 months)

Brunel University London was established in 1966 and is a leading multidisciplinary research-intensive technology university delivering economic, social and cultural benefits. For more information please visit: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/our-history/home

The Department of Health Sciences at the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences at Brunel University London is recruiting a research fellow to work on a project exploring the relationship between anxiety and step initiation in people with Parkinson's with freezing of gait. Freezing can severely limit safe mobility and quality of life. Anxiety significantly increases the likelihood of freezing by affecting the ability to shift weight and by disrupting effective allocation of attention. In this Parkinson’s UK funded project, we developed training videos for people with Parkinson's, that aim to address both these issues.

The purpose of the role is to lead on key activities associated with Phase 3 of this Parkinson’s UK project. This will involve evaluating the biomechanical and attentional mechanisms that influence step initiation from freezing, and the (perceived) safety and efficacy of specific weight-shift training in both OFF and ON medication states. The post-holder will have to travel to participants’ homes at the start of their day, to collect measurements of participants’ attempts to navigate specific places where freezing is most problematic. Another key role is to conduct qualitative research involving thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with participants.

Candidates should have completed a PhD in appropriate discipline (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Movement Science, or related), or attained similar clinical, research, industrial or commercial experience. The activities will require an ability to monitor/manage participants attempting movement in challenging situations and therefore experience managing such situations is essential. A willingness to acquire necessary qualitative research methods skills is essential, while previous experience of using qualitative research methods would be desirable. The role will require independent travel, and therefore access to a car is required.

Please carefully read the full list of essential and desired criteria in the job description associated with this post, and evidence these in the application. We encourage interested candidates to direct informal enquiries regarding eligibility to Elmar Kal (elmar.kal@brunel.ac.uk) and/or Meriel Norris meriel.norris@brunel.ac.uk).

Brunel has a strong track-record of securing research funding from EU and other international sources. Regardless of the long-term future for UK participation in Horizon Europe, Brunel will continue to ensure that staff have access to non-EU research funding, and we will continue to support our many bilateral collaborations within the EU and will remain an active member of YERUN.

We offer a generous annual leave package plus discretionary University closure days, excellent training and development opportunities as well as a great occupational pension scheme and a range of health-related support. The University is committed to a hybrid working approach.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 19th March 2023 (Midnight)

Interviews will take place in the week of March 27th, and will be done virtually.

For further details about the post including the Job Description and Person Specification and to apply please visit https://careers.brunel.ac.uk

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