Job profile

KTP

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a unique UK-wide activity that help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity by making better use of the knowledge, technology and skills within universities, colleges and research organisations. Further information is available at: www.ktponline.org.uk

THE PROJECT 

The University of Essex is excited to have formed a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the Minstead Trust. The Minstead Trust is a charity based in Hampshire, which works in collaboration with people with learning disabilities and their family carers, to enable them to achieve greater independence and live happier and healthier lives. One of their main areas of work is accommodation support. As they transition into adult accommodation support services, adults with a learning disability, their family carers, and Minstead Trust accommodation support staff form a tripartite relationship through which support is planned and delivered within the Minstead Trust. However, to date practices in support provision have differed, leading to miscommunications, relationship difficulties, and some areas of inconsistency and discontinuity in provided support and living circumstances. There are also often difficulties experienced during the transition from child to adult learning disability services. These are sector wide issues, which ultimately impact service users’ participation in the various activities and occupations that provide meaning, purpose, and routine within their everyday lives.

The post is fixed term for 24 months and is based at Minstead Trust’s offices in Hampshire. Hybrid working applications will be considered, but an average of 2-3 days a week will need to be spent at one of the Minstead Trust sites in Hampshire to fulfil the needs of the project and the advertised role. There may be occasional weekend/evening working required, depending on the availability of family carers for data collection activities.

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 14^th January 2025 and for all UK-based applicants these will take place in-person at a Minstead Trust site in Hampshire, to provide applicants with the opportunity to meet with Minstead Trust service users and their family carers as part of the selection process.

For further details outlining the project, please see the job pack attached.

DUTIES OF THE POST

The duties of the post will include: 

• Using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach to establish a culture of co-production within the Minstead Trust.
• Identifying and reviewing a relevant body of literature, to inform both the PAR processes and the resulting toolkit.
• Supporting with obtaining research ethics approval.
• Actively involving various stakeholders (adults with learning disabilities, their family carers, and Minstead Trust staff) and other organisations in processes of research planning, data collection, analysis, and dissemination, using creative and accessible participatory research methods.
• Acting as a source of on-site information and advice in relation to the project and co-production.
• Translating research insights into commercial tools/a toolkit.
• Translating research findings into accessible forms for wider dissemination and implementation.
• Writing research articles for peer-reviewed journals and giving presentations at national and international conferences and seminars to disseminate research findings.
• Contributing to the overall activities of the research team and division as required, which may include contributing to teaching sessions.

These duties are a guide to the work that the post holder will initially be required to undertake. They may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

It is essential that applicants already hold (or are very close to completing) a PhD degree in health and social care, or other closely related subject (for example, Occupational Therapy, Disability Studies, Social Work, or Health Sciences). A strong knowledge of, and skillset in, using participatory and co-produced research approaches with marginalised and seldom heard groups is highly desired. Excellent communication skills as well as a proven track record (relative to career stage) of publishing work in a related field are also expected from applicants.

The successful candidate should have the following;

• PhD degree in health and social care, or a closely related subject (for example, Occupational Therapy, Disability Studies, Social Work or Health Sciences) with a publication track record relative to career stage.
• Awareness of, and interest in, the third sector ideally with a passion for working with people with learning disabilities/neuro-divergent people and their family carers.
• Ability to thoughtfully manage relationships and boundaries with stakeholders who may have varying needs, to sustain involvement as accessible, focused and purposeful.
• Proven ability and commitment to carry out high quality original research, leading to publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Proven research aptitude and experience of co-production and/or participatory research approaches.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Excellent time management and ability to work to deadlines.
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences.
• Ability to translate research outputs into accessible formats.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to advance processes of research planning, data collection, analysis, and dissemination, using creative and accessible participatory research methods.
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, and collaborate with wider sector stakeholders and academics.
• Experience in planning and facilitating workshops and education sessions.
• The highest ethical and professional standards in research and education.
• Highly self-motivated and hard working.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

BENEFITS

As a KTP Associate, the post will offer the following benefits:

• A personal development budget of over £4,000 (exclusive of salary).
• Management training and mentoring by an Innovate UK KTP Adviser.
• An interesting and challenging role, with exposure to a variety of stakeholders.
• Full access to university resources to complete the project
• World-leading Academic and Company project supervision, with project support by a dedicated, sector leading KTP Office.

LOCATION

Minstead Trust

Minstead Lodge

Seamans Lane

Minstead

Hampshire

SO43 7FT

Hybrid working available, but 2-3 days on site at one of Minstead Trust sites in Hampshire is expected. The post may involve some weekend and evening work.

Please see the attached job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application.  Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please contact resourcing@essex.ac.uk

*More information: Working at the University