Research Associate - Dentistry

Based in the Division of Dentistry, our study is about improving the engagement of primary care dental teams in research and is funded by the NIHR School of Primary Care Research.  More specifically, the study aims to co-design evidence-based strategies and interventions to improve the recruitment of dental professionals to studies of primary dental care across diverse communities in England by:

1) Identifying barriers and enablers to recruiting dental professionals through qualitative interviews with dental professionals, practice owners/managers, researchers in primary dental care, and research funders, and a focus group of NIHR oral and dental clinical research network regional leads. Thematic analysis of the resulting transcripts will identify influencing factors.

2) Co-developing ways to improve recruitment, by applying behavioural science to the evidence from (1). First the factors will be prioritised using a two-round Delphi study and then the priority factors will be mapped to the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model during a stakeholder workshop. Finally suitable strategies and intervention components will be identified during the co-design workshop, using the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy.

Expected primary outcomes from the research are:

• A theory of change for improving recruitment of dental professionals
• An outline of the strategies and intervention components and recommendations for their design, implementation, and future research.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status.  All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Wendy Thompson

Email: wendy.thompson-2@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.