Overview
The Division of Population Health is looking to appoint a full-time Research Assistant for the Wellcome-funded project “A novel interdisciplinary approach to understanding how contextual factors influence alcohol consumption”. This project aims to develop a cutting-edge computer model that links moment-to-moment, context-sensitive, alcohol-related decisions to population-level consumption patterns, and to use this model to evaluate the impact of novel alcohol policies.
You will support the work of the project and play a central role in a longitudinal study collecting real-time behavioural data on participant’s alcohol-related decisions via smartphones. Duties include managing participant recruitment through Prolific, overseeing day-to-day study operations, monitoring adherence and retention, and preparing large and complex datasets through cleaning, harmonising and merging multiple sources. The role also includes supporting research governance, statistical analysis, dissemination of findings, and organising a stakeholder workshop bringing together public health policy stakeholders, practitioners, researchers, and people with lived experience of alcohol harm.
You will join the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG), an interdisciplinary team whose work informs policy and practice, with access to training and development opportunities.
Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as psychology, behavioural science, public health, health economics, or another quantitative field such as data science. Experience or training in behavioural research is essential, including online participant recruitment, managing longitudinal studies, and analysing data using R or Python. Strong communication, organisation, and collaborative working skills are required. Experience with large secondary datasets, smartphone-based tasks, behaviour change apps, or open research practices would be advantageous.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Design surveys in Qualtrics and integrate these with smartphone-based cognitive tasks in the Drink Less app to enable real-time self-report and behavioural data collection.
- Contribute to the design of a longitudinal study using repeated-measurement approaches (e.g., ecological momentary assessment), and lead participant recruitment via Prolific. Manage day-to-day study activities over a 12-month period, including monitoring participant adherence and retention.
- Assist with the preparation of secondary data for analysis (e.g., Health Survey for England, Understanding Society, and market research data) including cleaning large and complex datasets, selecting variables, and merging multiple data sources.
- Analyse data using advanced statistical techniques and reproducible workflows in open-source programming languages (e.g., R, Python).
- Assist with the organisation and delivery of a research workshop with diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and people with lived experience of alcohol harm.
- Disseminate research findings through contributions to peer-reviewed journal publications (aligned with open research practices such as preregistration, preprints, and data sharing) and presentations at national addiction conferences.
- Contribute to research governance and compliance with ethical approval processes and GDPR and data protection requirements, under the supervision of the line manager.
- Attend weekly catch-up meetings with the line manager.
- Participate in the Sheffield Addictions Research Group’s (SARG) team meetings, training seminars, and journal clubs.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Hold a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., psychology, behavioural or data science, public health, or health economics), with evidence of an excellent academic track record.
Experience recruiting participants using online research platforms (e.g., Prolific) and designing and administering surveys using Qualtrics.
Experience designing and running studies using intensive or repeated-measurement methods (e.g., ecological momentary assessment).
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written formats and to diverse audiences.
Ability to work independently and part of a team, manage deadlines, and maintain excellent organisational standards.
Proficiency in open-source programming languages, such as R or Python, for data preparation and analysis.
Experience working with large secondary datasets (e.g., data cleaning and merging).
Knowledge of open research practices and willingness to engage with them (e.g. preregistration, preprints, data sharing).
Further Information
1 October 2026 to 30 September 2028
Dr Amber Copeland, Wellcome Research Fellow
https://sheffield.ac.uk/smph
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on
23rd July 2026. This will consist of an interview and a brief presentation
(further details to be provided if selected for interview). We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the
week commencing 13th July 2026. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact
[email protected]
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().
What we offer
- A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- access to menopause support in the workplace
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).
ADVERT
We have an exciting opportunity at the School of Medicine and Population Health (Division of Population Health) for a Research Assistant eager to apply their behavioural science skills to public health. This role is for the Wellcome-funded project “A novel interdisciplinary approach to understanding how contextual factors influence alcohol consumption.” This project aims to develop an innovative computer model that links moment-to-moment, context-sensitive, alcohol-related decisions to population-level consumption patterns. The model will also be used to assess the impact of new alcohol policies.
You will assist with the project and play a central role in a longitudinal study that collects real-time behavioural data on participants’ alcohol-related decisions using smartphones. Tasks involve managing participant recruitment through Prolific, prioritising daily study operations, monitoring adherence and retention, and preparing large datasets by cleaning, harmonising, and combining multiple sources. The position also includes supporting research governance, conducting statistical analysis, disseminating results, and coordinating a workshop with public health policy participants, practitioners, researchers, and individuals with lived experience of alcohol harm.
A Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as psychology, behavioural science, public health, health economics, or another quantitative subject area such as data science is essential, as is proficiency in online participant recruitment, competence in managing longitudinal studies, skilled in data analysis using R or Python and the ability to communicate effectively in oral and written formats and to diverse audiences.
You will become part of the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG), a cross-functional team whose efforts guide policy and practice across the UK, with access to training and development opportunities.
At the University of Sheffield, we believe in encouraging a collaborative and inclusive environment where your skills and aspirations can thrive. Our team is committed to making a real-world impact through rigorous and innovative research. You will be part of an ambitious project that aims to influence public health policies and improve societal well-being. With access to world-class training and development opportunities, you can grow your expertise and contribute to groundbreaking work. Join us and be a part of a highly skilled team working towards a healthier future!
What we offer
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities,a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more at sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits and join us to become part of something special.
We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.
