23 Oct
University of Bristol
Bristol
The role
The OPTIMAL feasibility trial is an NIHR-funded trial investigating whether an effectiveness randomised controlled trial (RCT) of two immunosuppression regimens in older kidney transplant recipients is feasible.
People with kidney transplants need to take tablets to prevent their bodies from rejecting the transplant (‘immunosuppression’). The immune system becomes less effective in later life, meaning lower doses of immunosuppression tablets may be enough to stop transplant rejection. The amount of immunosuppression medication given to older transplant recipients is currently based on research in young people. Immunosuppression tablets affect older adults differently, causing more infections,
cancers and side-effects such as diarrhoea, which prevent people from living their lives fully. Lower doses of immunosuppressives may prevent these problems. However, less immunosuppression could mean someone is more likely to need treatment for rejection. Older adults could find the side-effects of treatment for rejection more severe than younger adults. It may be that older recipients prefer to live with the side-effects of standard immunosuppressive doses to avoid rejection.
We do not know what the right level of immunosuppression is for older transplant recipients. There are no national guidelines. Older people cared for at different UK kidney units receive different treatments.
The OPTIMAL feasibility trial aims to assess the feasibility of an RCT of lower dose MMF (1g/day) versus higher dose MMF (1.5g/day), and its acceptability to transplant recipients aged ≥65 years.
The qualitative study component aims to understand:
- Reasons for non-participation and barriers to recruitment
- Reasons for participation and facilitators of recruitment
- Participant experience of the treatment arms and trial procedures
- Outcomes of importance to patients
- Study resource design
- Healthcare practitioner experience of trial delivery
- Healthcare practitioner willingness to recruit and randomize (including clinical equipoise)
- Healthcare practitioner views on the treatment arms
What will you be doing?
Over the next 18 months, you will undertake:
Data collection: Develop an interview topic guide with the patient advisory group and the PI. Undertaking in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews via telephone and video-conferencing software with:
- approximately 10 trial non-participants
- approximately 10 trial participants
- approximately 10 healthcare professionals (research nurses, transplant nurses, nephrologists, transplant surgeons)
You should apply if
- You have a good honours degree (or equivalent) in social or health sciences.
- You have a relevant postgraduate research degree e.g. MA, MSc or PhD in social or health sciences, or have equivalent professional qualifications/experience.
- You have experience of leading qualitative data collection and analysis.
- You have a track record of excellence in research project administration and delivery.
- You are excited about undertaking research to understand the experiences of people with failing kidney transplants, with the goal of ultimately improve outcomes for people with kidney transplants.
Additional information
Contract type:
Open-ended with funding until 31/10/2026
Work pattern: Part-time/0.2FTE (days negotiable)
Grade: J/Pathway 2
Salary: £42,632 - 47,874 per annum pro rata
School/Unit: Bristol Medical School
Shift pattern: 7 hours per week
This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 05/11/2024
For informal queries please contact: Dr Pippa Bailey, ************@bristol.ac.uk, 0117 331 4522
Our strategy and mission
We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.
The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences,
backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.
Available documents
- Faculty of Health Sciences - October 2023.pdf
- Bristol Medical School - October 2023.pdf
- ACAD107789 - SRA (OPTIMAL feasibility trial) JD.pdf
Job number
ACAD107789
Contract Type/Work Pattern
Open ended / Part time
Posting End Date
05 Nov 2024
Faculty/Division
Faculty of Health Sciences
Salary
£42,632 - 47,874 pro rata
Yes
▶️ Senior Research Associate (OPTIMAL feasibility trial)
🖊️ University of Bristol
📍 Bristol