2014-07-03

Post Type: Education, Research & Enterprise | Faculty/PSG: Social & Human Sciences | Division/Prof Service: Psychology | Section: Human Wellbeing | Location: Highfield Campus | Post Type: Part Time | Closing Date: 24 Jul 2014 |
We are seeking to appoint a researcher to conduct a large-scale longitudinal questionnaire-based study about the role of non-specific factors in the treatment of back pain.  You will work on the project “Non-specific Mechanisms in Orthodox and CAM management of back pain” which is funded by Arthritis Research UK, under the supervision of Dr Felicity Bishop.

You will be responsible for recruiting a large cohort of clinicians (osteopaths, physiotherapists, and acupuncturists) and their patients to take part in the study.  You will set up the study and manage it on a day-to-day basis.  The post will give you the opportunity to use (or develop) advanced skills in (a) quantitative analysis (multi-level modelling) and (b) the qualitative and quantitative analysis of audio-recordings of practitioner-patient interactions.  You will also be involved in writing up the study for publication and other dissemination activities.

You will have a strong academic background, experience of conducting research or working in clinical settings, some knowledge of non-specific factors (e.g. placebo effects) and musculoskeletal health (especially back pain), and existing skills in quantitative analysis.  A postgraduate qualification (MSc or PhD) in health psychology or other discipline of direct relevance to this project, interest in or research experience of complementary therapies and experience of analysing practitioner-patient interactions would be advantageous.

This post may be suitable for someone wanting to undertake a MPhil/PhD (in Psychology or Health Psychology) part-time.

You will become a member of the thriving Southampton Centre for Applications of Health Psychology (CAHP) which has 7 permanent academic members and a large active group of postgraduate students, senior research assistants and research fellows.  As a member of CAHP you will also be part of a leading psychology department with a reputation for excellence in research and teaching.

The post is tenable from 1 October 2014.

For additional information/informal enquiries before submitting your application, contact Felicity Bishop, F.L.Bishop@southampton.ac.uk.

Please include a full CV and a sample of your written work (lead-authored publication; PhD chapter; MSc essay) in your application.

The closing date for this vacancy is 24 July 2014.

Application procedure:

You should submit your completed online application form at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. If you require any assistance, please contact Charlene Tyson on +44 (0) 23 8059 6803. Please quote reference 427214JW on all correspondence.

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