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  7. Research Officer - Gastroenterology Specialist Group

Research Officer - Gastroenterology Specialist Group

If you would like to be nominated for this role, please complete your details below and we will be in touch to discuss next steps.

Aims and Objectives of the Group

Aims

  • Support and develop high quality evidence based dietetic practice within gastroenterology and hepatology

  • Provide up to date evidence-based information on dietary treatment of gastrointestinal and hepatic conditions to dietitians and other health professionals

  • Encourage and enable continued educational development within our membership

  • Promote the benefits of the dietitian's role

  • Provide clear and easy to understand evidence-based information to dietitians, patients, other health care providers and the media/public

  • Ensure financial security and sustainability of the GSG

Objectives

  • Produce and update evidence-based practice guidance documents for the dietetic management of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders in adults for UK dietitians to use, in primary and secondary care, through our GSG Clinical Leads

  • Provide evidence based dietetic and patient resources to facilitate the implementation of our evidence based professional guidelines. We aim to produce BDA resources for patients, dietitians and the public at minimal pricing, supporting widest possible usage within NHS and UK private clinical practice, co-ordinating with relevant charities and any other organisations where possible

  • Facilitate learning by holding study days

  • Promote dietetic involvement in research and audit

  • Encourage good working relationships with other health care providers to enhance our knowledge, understanding and professionalism

  • Share experiences and provide a channel for communication

  • Provide support and mentorship to dietitians working in our field

What the role has to offer 

As the specialist group research officer, you will work closely with the committee to develop research and audit opportunities for group members. You’ll use your expertise to guide and shape the group’s research strategy, working with the BDA’s education, practice and policy team to contribute to the BDA’s education work.  

You’ll work with the committee to encourage members to participate in research and to embed it in their day-to-day practice. This includes encouraging participation in the BDA’s research symposium and developing best practice and templates for clinical audits and service evaluations.  

Through this role you’ll develop an overview of the strategic developments affecting the specialist group from both within the BDA and externally to the profession. Using your knowledge and skills to represent specialist group members interests, advocate for the specialism and the dietetic profession. 

We don’t expect you to do it alone, as the research officer you’ll work closely with the specialist group committee and with the support of the BDA staff team to deliver your specialist group aims and objectives.  

Through this position you will gain organisation, communication and project management skills, which can translate directly into career development. It will also give you an opportunity to work with colleagues across your speciality, building networks, sharing knowledge and skills 

Main tasks and responsibilities  
  • Overall responsibility for the group’s research strategy. 
  • Encourage members to participate in research embedding this into their day-to-day practice. 
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to create and share templates for service clinical audits and service evaluations.   
  • Facilitate the peer review process for group resources and for members wishing to submit an abstract/paper/funding bid. 
  • Work with the committee to identify members willing and suitably qualified to review key publications where appropriate. 
  • Keep the committee up to date with relevant conferences, abstract submission deadlines or funding relating to the specialism. 
  • Represent the group at BDA research events including BDA LIVE and the annual Research Symposium. 
  • Co-ordinate the committee responses to NICE consultations. 
  • Co-ordinate the committee and members contributions to PEN. 
  • Collaborate with the website editor and social media officer to promote research opportunities through BDA communication channels. 
  • Work closely with the BDA’s volunteer manager and education, practice and policy team, seeking advice and guidance where needed. 
Training, support and resources 

As the research officer you’ll work closely with the Volunteer Manager and the education, practice and policy team who offer support, guidance and advice to the postholder. Support for this role is offered by key committee members including the education officer, resources officer and chair who work as a team to promote the work of the group.   

We have a variety of resources, tools and training available to support this role including:  

  • Induction with BDA staff and a full handover from the previous postholder. 
  • Training and development opportunities to help build personal and professional skills including workshops, webinars and the BDA’s annual volunteer conference. 
  • Access to our volunteer hub with a wide range of website editing tools and resources.  
  • Access to our volunteer handbook and volunteer hub providing a range of resources and guidance. 
  • Regular communications including a monthly volunteer newsletter with BDA updates and opportunities. 
  • Networking with other volunteers through events, webinars and access to our volunteer forums. 
Length of service and commitment  

You will be elected for a two-year term of office and have the option to extend for an additional two-year term. Reasonable notice can be given if you are no longer able to fulfil this role.  

There are several training and development opportunities available, including a detailed induction with BDA staff and governance training to be undertaken upon commencement of each term.  

Committee meetings are regularly throughout the year and can be attended virtually if required. There is a varying and flexible amount of work in between meetings which is dependent on the strategy, workplans and projects agreed to by the committee.   

The specialist group holds a minimum of one event for members a year which includes the Annual General Meeting, it is typical for the committee to attend these events. 

Appointment method 

To apply for this role please submit a nomination form by Friday 16th October 2026. Nominees must be a member of the group and provide the names and signatories of two BDA members to support their nomination. If you would like an informal, confidential discussion about the role and the nomination process, please contact chair Emma or the Volunteer Team.


Members who support my application

First member

Second member


Declaring conflicts of interest

Council has decided that it is good practice for all members who represent the BDA on outside bodies, who are completing specific pieces of work for the BDA, are executive committee members of specialist groups or members of standing committees to register any interests which may be perceived as potentially generating a conflict of interests with BDA business.

The definition of what needs to be recorded is: the interests of a member which might reasonably be thought by others to influence their actions in their capacity as a BDA member acting on behalf of the BDA. This is consistent with our Members’ Charter and the way other councils work (including the Health Professions Council).

This form will be held confidentially by the BDA Chief Executive and the Honorary Secretary. It will be completed by anyone representing the BDA externally or taking on a distinct piece of work, where the BDA thinks it appropriate that the member complete it. It may be used if a conflict of interests arises and  Council or the Investigatory Committee decides that it needs to access it.

Please complete the following details as fully as possible and declare any possible conflict of interest you may have. Click on either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to answer each question.

I confirm that the information given on this form is correct and understand that failure to disclose relevant information may result in my role representing the BDA being terminated.

I agree that the information I have provided may be disclosed to the Council or the Investigatory Committee if requested.

I acknowledge that, under the terms of my membership of the BDA, I must comply with the rules and policies of the BDA, professional Codes of Conduct and the Members’ Charter. In particular, I will ensure that:

  • I act in the best interests of the BDA
  • I uphold confidentiality and ensure that any information obtained during a visit is used solely for the purposes of the BDA and is not divulged to any person or third party.
  • I conduct myself appropriately and treat all present with equal respect.