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Form of work
SalaryThis role will have the purpose of supporting the ACTIF research team to recruit participants and volunteers and undertake group assessment sessions. The successful applicant will work with the Director of the Centre for Health, Activity & Wellbeing Research and other members of the ACTIF research team in the School of Sport and Health Sciences.
You will be instrumental in helping to recruit participants and volunteers and their assessments throughout the duration of the ACTIF research project. ACTIF (Active, Connected, Engaged https://www.activeageingresearch.org/about-ace) is a multi-centre randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a peer volunteer led active ageing programme to prevent decline in physical function in older people at risk of mobility disability (ACTIF is known as ACE in England).
A total of 515 participants and 150 peer volunteers will take part, across three sites (West Midlands, Greater Manchester and South Wales). A comprehensive assessment pack (quantitative and qualitative measures) will be delivered at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months. The Senior Research Assistant will be principally involved in these assessments of the participants and volunteers.
Principal duties and responsibilities
To contribute to data collection at the ACTIF research project participant and volunteer assessment sessions (at baseline, 6 and 18 months) in consultation with the Principal Investigator (CAWR Director).
To conduct specific data collection at ACTIF assessment days including height, weight, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test.
To administer and provide explanation on how to correctly wear an actigraph accelerometer (GENEActiv).
To write the data collected through the assessments on the appropriate forms and format to ensure quality data is collected at assessment sessions.
To support the ACTIF Research Associate to recruit participants and volunteers from the community and visit community groups and events.
We are looking for someone who is
able to communicate and work with older people.
able to explain the reasons for undertaking the ACTIF assessment protocol to a lay audience, i.e. the older people participants.
sociable and can help people feel at ease, at the ACTIF assessment days.
be willing to undertake recruitment activities in community settings.
able to undertake relevant training and development activities to be able to conduct the ACTIF assessments and develop capacity for taking on wider responsibilities.
able to work to deadlines and manage competing priorities.
Why join Cardiff Metropolitan University?
In 2020, the University was named The Sunday Times ‘Welsh University of the Year 2021’; in 2021 it became the Times Higher Education ‘UK and Ireland University of the Year 2022’; and in 2022 it was ranked the top university in the UK in the People and Planet Green League.
The ACTIF project is situated in the Centre for Health, Activity and Wellbeing Centre for Health, Activity and Wellbeing Research (cardiffmet.ac.uk) and is led by Prof Diane Crone, and delivered by Dr Chris Pugh and Dr Zsofia Szekeres (ACTIF Research Associate). The Centre for Health, Activity and Wellbeing Research (CAWR) is located in the Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences Home (cardiffmet.ac.uk) and has a lively and active Early Career Community (ECC) that forms part of the management structure of CAWR. It also organises and hosts its own social and research events, with its own budget. There is an opportunity for the successful applicant to become part of this thriving Early Career Community.
In addition, the University offers highly competitive terms and conditions including:
Flexible and remote working opportunities.
Excellent family friendly policies.
Award winning sports and fitness facilities with subsidised membership, plus subsidised physiotherapy/complementary therapy/sports massage.
Access to all library facilities.
Salary sacrifice schemes including cycle to work.
Free family access to our independent specialist wellbeing support provider, Health Assured.
If you would like to talk with us about this opportunity please contact Professor Diane Crone (Director of Centre for Health, Activity and Wellbeing Research) at dmcrone@cardiffmet.ac.uk or Dr Zsofia Szekeres (ACTIF Research Associate) on zszekeres@cardiffmet.ac.uk or by phone on 07442943718.
Should a high volume of applications be received, we may need to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as early as possible.
The University is committed to creating a highly inclusive culture. We offer family friendly and flexible working arrangements and a range of staff networks, forums and events to support and develop our people. We warmly welcome applications from those traditionally underrepresented in the higher education sector.
Further information
Please read our Candidate Pack or visit our staff recruitment website for information about working for us, our culture, benefits, work-life balance and our career progression and development opportunities.
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