Hours:

Full-time or part-time hours considered up to a maximum of 1.0 FTE/ 37.5 hours per week.

Requests for flexible working options will be considered (subject to business need).

Contract Type: fixed term 24 months (02.04.25 until 31.03.27)

Applications must be received by midnight of the closing date.

Expected Interview date: To be confirmed.

Expected start date: April 2025

About the role

This role supports a two-year NIHR-funded project to improve residential and supported living services for autistic adults. It aims to develop a usable, accessible, evidence-informed implementation framework for the National Autistic Taskforce’s Independent Guide to Quality Care for Autistic People (NAT Guide). The Guide is the only independent, autistic-authored resource developed to describe what is high-quality care for autistic people of all ages and across the autistic spectrum, and to move towards improved care and quality of life by shifting from behaviour management to supportive relational understanding.

You will work closely with the co-Principal Investigators (Dr Yo Dunn, National Autistic Taskforce, and Dr David Orr, University of Sussex) and project leads (Professor Sue Fletcher-Watson, University of Edinburgh; Dr Kathy Leadbitter, University of Manchester). You will conduct fieldwork at two residential settings (involving monthly travel and some overnight stays), using interviews, observations, surveys and documentary analysis of service records, and working with action research groups to identify targets for local change mapped on to the NAT Guide, co-create solutions, and jointly evaluate their impact. You will contribute to data analysis, academic and practice publications, and stakeholder engagement. Autistic expertise is central throughout the study, through the leadership of NAT, within the research team, steering group, advisory panel and in the action groups.

About you

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher with familiarity and/or experience of UK social care, health or education services working with autistic adults, and experience of participatory methodologies. You will be committed to the social model of disability and able to engage and communicate effectively with: autistic residents; their family, carers and friends; residential care staff and management; academic colleagues and project partners; and external audiences.

About our Division/School

Find out more about the School of Education and Social Work on our website.

The School of Education and Social Work is proud to hold a Bronze Athena Swan Award.

Why work here

Find out more about our reward and benefits package.

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion

Further Key Information

Please contact Dr David Orr (d.orr@sussex.ac.uk / 01273 678241) for informal enquiries.

For full details and how to apply please click the 'Apply' button, above.

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from autistic individuals who meet the role criteria.

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.

Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role has been assigned an eligible SOC code, and meets the salary requirements for Skilled Worker Sponsorship if full time. Please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information about Visa Sponsorship.

£37,999 to £45,163 Grade 7, per annum, pro rata if part time.

University of Sussex

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