Public Health trial seeking casual fieldworkers 

Game of Stones is a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funded randomised controlled trial to test a text message intervention, with or without an endowment incentive, to help men to lose weight.  Our feasibility trial showed the intervention was well-received by the men who took part, so we are now running a full-scale study to test if the intervention really works to help men lose weight and keep it off, to find out who it helps most, and to estimate the costs and benefits for men and the NHS.  The trial is being conducted across three centres: Bristol, Belfast and Glasgow.  The target of 585 men have already been recruited onto the trial. 

The main role of the Casual Fieldworkers in Glasgow will be to work closely with the trial Research Associate and Trial Fieldworker to collect follow-up data from study participants.  This will entail attending a variety of community and GP venues to meet men in pairs and record their follow-up weight. Trial protocols will need to be followed during these appointments to ensure the Fieldworker taking the weight, is blinded to the participant’s group allocation.  

You will need to be willing to travel to recruitment and data collection venues across Glasgow, and to be willing to work flexibly, including daytimes, evenings and weekends to ensure successful recruitment and follow up of trial participants. A car would be handy, but not essential. Any out of pocket travel expenses will be reimbursed. 

The posts will begin in September 2022, but there will be some flexibility regarding start date. 

We need people with the following skills or experience: 

• Exceptional communication skills and able to undertake potentially stigmatising conversations sensitively and using non-judgemental language. 

• Comfortable talking to men in disadvantaged community settings. 

• Understanding of randomised controlled trials, equipoise and randomisation. 

• Ability to understand confidentiality and how this should be applied in research environments. 

• An understanding of the need to comply with research governance guidelines and study protocols. 

• Ability to maintain accurate and organised computer and manual records. 

• Ability to work as part of a team. 

We would love it if you have these too, but not essential: 

• Experience of collecting research data from adults in community and clinical settings. 

• Experience of working in weight management and/or with behaviour change interventions. 

• Experience of working with individuals in disadvantaged communities. 

• Previous experience of data collection in research settings. 

• Skilled in systematic data collection according to protocol and compliance with research governance guidelines. 

Training for trial recruitment and data collection will be provided. You will be encouraged to undertake Good Clinical Practice training if you have not already done so.  

For further information contact: 

gameofstones@stir.ac.uk