Research Assistant - PROGROUP Online
| Posting date: | 29 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £35,608 to £38,784 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 08 October 2025 |
| Location: | Plymouth, South West England |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 4 days per week |
| Company: | University of Plymouth |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | B0904 |
Summary
About the role
The Community and Primary Care Research Centre, based within the Peninsula Medical School, Faculty of Health at the University of Plymouth are looking to recruit a Research Assistant to become an integral part of the PROGOUP Online project. The primary function of the role is to work on the PROGROUP Online project. You will support the delivery of the NIHR-funded programme of research which is a feasibility study of a remote group-based behavioural change support for people living with severe obesity.
You will support the PROGROUP team in delivering and evaluating the PROGROUP-online intervention in NHS Specialist Weight Management services. A primary function of the role is to support the mixed methods process evaluation, using mainly qualitative methods to understand participant experience and service implementation, but will also contribute to wider aspects of the study delivery. This role requires close liaison with colleagues, collaborators and service providers across multiple sites in the UK. Candidates with research experience in the areas of health services, health behaviour change, including the online delivery of health interventions and process evaluation (particularly qualitative data collection and analysis) are encouraged to apply.
For an informal discussion to find out more about the role please contact Dawn Swancutt via email at dawn.swancutt@plymouth.ac.uk
This post is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis of 21 months.
For more information on Peninsula Medical School please visit our dedicated webpage at https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools
For this role, you will need to be on site 1 days a week. Although we can accommodate working from home for this role, flexibility to be on-site will be expected due to business needs.
For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.
About us
The Faculty of Health holds four Silver Athena Swan awards, which recognise our commitment to supporting gender equality within higher education.
The University of Plymouth has a strong interdisciplinary research ethos which is supported by our three strategic Research Institutes; the Marine Institute, the Sustainable Earth Institute, and the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research. As a member of our academic community, you’ll be expected to contribute to our recognised research strengths. Working holistically across the University, you will be challenged to innovate, collaborate and deliver impactful research contributions as part of a systems thinking approach to addressing today’s global challenges.
Application Process
Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.
Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.
Interview will take place in person on Friday 17 October 2025.
Our Offer
Staff appointed within the Faculty of Health may be able to join the NHS pension scheme subject to eligibility criteria.
When joining us, you will receive:
• Generous annual leave: 25 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays & Closure Days
• Generous pension scheme
• Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave
• Flexible working
• Retailer discounts
• On-site nursery
A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed here.
Additional Information
The University of Plymouth is an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed regardless of their background. To find out more about our inclusive community initiatives, such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter, please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages
The Community and Primary Care Research Centre, based within the Peninsula Medical School, Faculty of Health at the University of Plymouth are looking to recruit a Research Assistant to become an integral part of the PROGOUP Online project. The primary function of the role is to work on the PROGROUP Online project. You will support the delivery of the NIHR-funded programme of research which is a feasibility study of a remote group-based behavioural change support for people living with severe obesity.
You will support the PROGROUP team in delivering and evaluating the PROGROUP-online intervention in NHS Specialist Weight Management services. A primary function of the role is to support the mixed methods process evaluation, using mainly qualitative methods to understand participant experience and service implementation, but will also contribute to wider aspects of the study delivery. This role requires close liaison with colleagues, collaborators and service providers across multiple sites in the UK. Candidates with research experience in the areas of health services, health behaviour change, including the online delivery of health interventions and process evaluation (particularly qualitative data collection and analysis) are encouraged to apply.
For an informal discussion to find out more about the role please contact Dawn Swancutt via email at dawn.swancutt@plymouth.ac.uk
This post is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis of 21 months.
For more information on Peninsula Medical School please visit our dedicated webpage at https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools
For this role, you will need to be on site 1 days a week. Although we can accommodate working from home for this role, flexibility to be on-site will be expected due to business needs.
For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.
About us
The Faculty of Health holds four Silver Athena Swan awards, which recognise our commitment to supporting gender equality within higher education.
The University of Plymouth has a strong interdisciplinary research ethos which is supported by our three strategic Research Institutes; the Marine Institute, the Sustainable Earth Institute, and the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research. As a member of our academic community, you’ll be expected to contribute to our recognised research strengths. Working holistically across the University, you will be challenged to innovate, collaborate and deliver impactful research contributions as part of a systems thinking approach to addressing today’s global challenges.
Application Process
Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.
Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.
Interview will take place in person on Friday 17 October 2025.
Our Offer
Staff appointed within the Faculty of Health may be able to join the NHS pension scheme subject to eligibility criteria.
When joining us, you will receive:
• Generous annual leave: 25 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays & Closure Days
• Generous pension scheme
• Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave
• Flexible working
• Retailer discounts
• On-site nursery
A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed here.
Additional Information
The University of Plymouth is an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed regardless of their background. To find out more about our inclusive community initiatives, such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter, please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages