Research Officer

About Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance

Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance is a national, user-led charity run by and for people with muscle-weakening conditions. We empower adults with neuromuscular conditions to live fulfilling lives through peer support, information, advocacy, and co-produced research and campaigns. Our work brings together lived experience and academic insight to influence health, social care, and disability policy.

About the Role

We are seeking a Research Officer to support a series of user-led research projects exploring:

• Access to social care and support

• Healthcare access and inequalities

• Sexual health and relationships for people with neuromuscular conditions

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge, lived-experience research that aims to improve quality of life and influence national policy and practice.

You will work closely with the CEO, Research Manager, and members of our lived experience research advisory group. You ll be involved in all aspects of the research cycle from design to dissemination and will ensure that our research is ethical, inclusive, and grounded in co-production principles.

Key Responsibilities

Research Design & Ethics

• Support the design of research studies in collaboration with the lived experience team and academic partners.

• Support the preparation of ethics applications, participant information sheets, and consent materials.

• Develop interview schedules, focus group guides, and surveys.

Participant Engagement

• Recruit participants through Pathfinders network, social media, and partner organisations.

• Ensure accessibility and inclusivity in participant communication and data collection.

• Support co-production activities (e.g., advisory groups, workshops, testing materials).

Data Collection & Analysis

• Conduct qualitative interviews and/or focus groups with participants.

• Support data transcription, coding, and thematic analysis (using NVivo or similar).

• Maintain accurate, confidential records and data management systems.

Reporting & Dissemination

• Contribute to research reports, briefings, and peer-reviewed papers.

• Present findings to internal and external audiences, including at conferences or stakeholder meetings.

• Work with communications staff to translate research findings into accessible outputs for our community and policymakers.

Collaboration & Co-Production

• Embed lived experience leadership throughout the project lifecycle.

• Liaise with academic partners and other charities to strengthen our research and advocacy work.

• Contribute to a culture of inclusive, ethical, and participatory research practice.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience managing or delivering a research project from start to finish (e.g., Master s dissertation, PhD, or equivalent applied research).

• Strong understanding of qualitative research methods (interviews, focus groups, thematic analysis).

• Ability to plan and manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing.

• Commitment to co-production, lived experience leadership, and inclusive research practices.

• Awareness of issues affecting disabled people and/or people with long-term conditions.

Desirable

• Lived experience of disability, chronic illness, or neuromuscular conditions. Applications will be prioritised where they meet this criteria.

• Experience of working with disabled people or people with neuromuscular or muscle-weakening conditions.

• Familiarity with ethical approval processes (university or NHS).

• Experience with NVivo or similar qualitative analysis software.

• Experience working in a small charity or community-based research context.

What We Offer

• Flexible, remote working arrangements.

• A supportive, inclusive environment led by people with lived experience.

• Opportunities for co-authorship, conference presentations, and career development in inclusive research.

• The chance to shape evidence that can drive change in health and social care policy.