1. You are here:
  2. Home
  3. News & Campaigns
  4. Get involved
  5. Volunteering with us
  6. Volunteering opportunities
  7. Research Officer: Neurosciences Specialist Group

Research Officer: Neurosciences Specialist Group

Help support dietitians to advance the evidence base for neurosciences dietetics, and your own career, by taking on one of the BDA's most rewarding volunteer roles. You'll shape the group's research strategy, support members to engage with research in their practice, and be a voice for the specialism.

What the role offers
  • Research leadership: Guide the group's research strategy and develop practical tools that support members to embed research and audit into everyday practice
  • Influence on practice: Contribute to BDA education work and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to shape best practice across the specialism
  • Wider networks: Build connections with dietitians, BDA staff, and colleagues across neurosciences and beyond, including at national research events
  • Career development: Gain organisation, communication and project management skills that translate directly into your professional practice
Your role

You will take overall responsibility for the group's research strategy, supporting members to engage with research and representing the group at a national level.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Lead the group's research strategy and encourage members to participate in research, embedding it into day-to-day practice
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to create and share templates for clinical audits and service evaluations
  • Facilitate the peer review process for group resources and for members wishing to submit abstracts, papers or funding bids
  • Work with the committee to identify members who are willing and suitably qualified to review key publications
  • Keep the committee informed of relevant conferences, abstract submission deadlines and funding opportunities relating to the specialism
  • Represent the group at BDA research events, including BDA LIVE and the annual Research Symposium
  • Co-ordinate the committee's responses to NICE consultations
  • Work with the Website Editor and Social Media Officer to promote research opportunities through BDA communication channels
  • Work closely with the BDA Volunteer Manager and the Education, Practice and Policy team, seeking advice and guidance where needed
Support and development

You will be fully supported throughout your term, including:

  • Full induction with BDA staff and a detailed handover from the previous postholder
  • Ongoing support from the BDA Volunteer Manager and the Education, Practice and Policy team, as well as key committee members including the Chair, Education Officer and Resources Officer
  • Workshops, webinars and the BDA annual Volunteer Support Day
  • Access to the volunteer handbook, hub and monthly newsletter
  • Networking with other volunteers through events, webinars and volunteer forums
Commitment
  • You will be elected for a two-year term of office, with the option to extend for an additional two years. We hope that reasonable notice would be given if you are no longer able to fulfil the role, as we appreciate that circumstances can change.
  • Committee meetings are held regularly throughout the year and can be attended virtually if required. There is a flexible amount of work between meetings, dependent on the strategy, workplans and projects agreed by the committee.
About the group
  • To provide a network for dietitians and other members of the BDA who work within or have an interest in neurosciences to share expertise, knowledge and service developments
  • To influence national policy and guidance with respect to nutrition and long-term neurological conditions on behalf of the BDA, and prepare consensus statements. This will be carried out using robust evidence-based practice
  • To provide an environment for dietitians and other health care professionals to support their training and education through study days, newsletters, meetings and publications in association with the BDA CED
  • To facilitate original research and audit amongst group members and promote the sharing of results and findings at a regional and national level. This includes conferences and in peer reviewed journals
  • Support the development of resources such as newsletters, standards, guidance or patient information on the nutritional management of long-term neurological conditions
  • Provide an annual bursary (where available) to support a member and committee member to undertake CPD in relation to the nutritional management of long-term neurological conditions in the acute and community setting, and share this with members of the group and the wider BDA membership. This will be dependent on sufficient funds being available
  • On behalf of the BDA, to respond to enquiries from the media and other organisations with respect to the nutritional management of long-term neurological conditions

Appointment method

To apply for this role please submit a nomination form . 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 Carlena at [email protected].


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.