Location: Scotland / home based (approx. 10 travel days per year)

Contract: 40 hours per week / permanent

Salary: £25,000 – £27,000 depending on experience

This Research Assistant post supports the research function of Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE). There are two main elements to the job – supporting communication and dissemination of SISAQOL-IMI and to assist with generating patient centred evidence as part of MPE’s newly established Evidence Generation Unit (EGU). The following tasks and core responsibilities are non-exhaustive and subject to change depending on needs of the organisation.

SISAQOL-IMI (Setting International Standards in Analyzing Patient-Reported Outcomes and Quality of Life Endpoints Data)

• Support the wide and clear dissemination of SISAQOL-IMI activities to ensure timely and international promotion of the project objectives, activities and outcomes
• Ensure timely and international promotion of the project objectives, activities and outcomes
• Ensure the timely flow of information across SISAQOL-IMI work packages
• Understand and document patient needs and priorities when it comes to their understanding of and use of patient reported outcomes in their clinical care
• Creation of content for SISAQOL-IMI website and social media, including lay summaries of project outputs

Evidence Generation

• Proactively think about topics and research questions that need addressing in myeloma
• Conduct literature reviews
• Maintain accurate records of patient data, safeguarding the confidentiality of patients and patient data, as necessary
• Prepare materials for submission to research funders
• Project management – including budget, milestones, and effective communication
• Engagement with clinicians and other stakeholders involved in MPE evidence generation projects and other myeloma research
• Representation of MPE at internal / external research meetings and calls
• Writing for internal / external audiences (including academic journals, lay summaries, and, progress reports)
• Conduct and record face-to-face and/or telephone interviews with subjects, in accordance with predetermined interview protocol, data collection procedures and documentation standards

Other responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of scientific education and information for MPE
• Build good relations with members, internal and external stakeholders (including doctors, researchers and medical representatives within companies), and represent MPE at meetings as required
• Critically appraise and provide advice to MPE on academic and pharmaceutical clinical development programmes and design of clinical trials
• Attend scientific congresses and meetings
• Development of content for MPE website and social media and other communication
• Participate in advisory boards for the pharmaceutical industry
• Attend and respond to patient requests on myeloma, its diagnosis and treatment

About you:

• BSc / MSc / experience in relevant therapeutic areas or life sciences (haematological experience desirable but not essential)
• 2+ years of experience in a related field – preferably working in a non-profit organisation, academic / clinical research, or medical/scientific setting
• Experience in working with researchers, doctors and representatives from the pharmaceutical industry
• Organised, with excellent project management and time management skills
• Ability to work from home in a virtual setting with a team spread across Europe
• Strong listening and communication skills
• Flexible approach and able to work with an international team in a virtual setting
• A motivated and self-aware team player, who can work independently or collaboratively with equal success
• Demonstrated excellence in writing, proofreading, and editing in English
• Good analytical, numerical abilities and ability to interpret complex information
• Ability to explain complex scientific terms and knowledge into lay language
• Proficient at Office suite – Word, Excel, PowerPoint (or equivalent)

We offer:

• An exciting position in the emerging fields of patient-centered healthcare and patient advocacy, working together with key patient advocacy leaders across Europe
• Permanent position (6-month probation period), giving the opportunity to progress and to integrate in a young, dynamic and multi-cultural team working from different European cities

About MPE

Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE) is a pan-European organisation representing around 50 myeloma and amyloidosis patient groups from over 30 European countries. It is registered as an international non-profit organisation under Belgian Law. A Board mainly composed of patients and caregivers is elected by the membership to oversee the strategy and governance of the organisation. A team of ten staff members runs the day to day operations, programmes and services.

MPE is dedicated to improving the treatment, care and quality of life of patients with myeloma and AL Amyloidosis. To this end, the main goals of the organisation are:

• Collaborating on projects to the benefit of the myeloma community
• Exchanging information and best practice
• Developing existing patient groups and encouraging and facilitating the setting up of new groups
• Helping to shape appropriate health-related policies and initiatives on a European and national level
• Ensuring patients across Europe receive timely access to new treatment
• Stimulating and promoting patient-centred research and clinical trials
• Developing a strong evidence base for the needs and wants of patients and their role in research
• Providing information, educational and outreach programmes to member groups

If you wish to apply, please send complete the form below