🚀 Research Assistant (Ethnographic Dementia Diagnosis Study)

Overview

University of Sheffield Are you a researcher with strong qualitative skills who is passionate about tackling health inequalities? We have an exciting opportunity for you to join a BMA-funded project at SITraN exploring how we can improve timely dementia diagnosis for South Asian and Black minority ethnic communities. This is a unique opportunity to utilise your research expertise to make a tangible impact on inclusion and equity in healthcare.

We are looking for someone who is motivated, organised, and culturally sensitive, with experience in qualitative methods such as interviews, focus groups, or ethnography. You will be joining a small, collaborative team working closely with NHS Memory Assessment Services and trusted community partners. Your work will directly shape recommendations to make dementia services more inclusive, accessible and person-centred.

Responsibilities

You will play a key role in every stage of the project. This includes conducting systematic literature searches and contributing to a meta-ethnographic review, supporting participant recruitment, and carrying out ethnographic fieldwork such as observations, interviews and focus groups. You will also be responsible for maintaining accurate field notes, supporting transcription, managing data securely and analysing findings using NVivo and thematic approaches. Beyond data collection and analysis, you will help to share our findings through community workshops, publications and conference presentations. Some travel within Sheffield (and occasional regional visits) is expected.

Qualifications

To succeed in this role, you will need to bring excellent communication skills, the ability to work independently and as part of a team, and the confidence to engage sensitively with diverse communities. A degree in a relevant discipline (such as psychology, public health, sociology, anthropology, or health services research) or equivalent experience is essential. Experience working with South Asian and/or Black communities, language skills, or familiarity with systematic review, ethnography and NVivo software methods would be an advantage.

Benefits

At the University of Sheffield, we are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone can thrive and succeed. We offer a highly competitive annual leave entitlement with the option to purchase more, generous pension schemes, flexible working opportunities, and a strong commitment to your personal development and wellbeing. You’ll also have access to a wide range of retail discounts and campus facilities.

How to Apply

SITraN is an internationally recognised centre for neuroscience research, bringing together clinicians, scientists, and patients to develop evidence-based improvements in care. By joining us, you will become part of a diverse, supportive and award‑winning research environment with a track record of tackling some of the most critical challenges in health. If you are ready to use your research skills to help create fairer and more inclusive dementia services, we would love to hear from you. For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Dr Hina Khan.