Research Fellow - Department of Applied Health Sciences - 106267 - Grade 8 bei The University of Birmingham

Position Details

Department of Applied Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression once in post to £63,606

Grade: 8

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2026

Closing date: 13th October 2025

This role is also open as an internal secondment opportunity which would need to be agreed by your current line manager.

Please note: We are advertising for both a Grade 7 Research Fellow (106260) and a Grade 8 Research Fellow (106267), however there is only 1 post available.

Background

We are seeking to appoint an autonomous and experienced qualitative/multi methods grade 7 research fellow to a programme of research concerned with development of guidance for the evaluation, regulation and marketing of Direct To Consumer Tests, (GUIDE-DTCT), commissioned and funded by Cancer Research UK (PICCTR-2023/100038).

Building on a mapping review of existing regulation and guidance and surveys of the high street and online DTCT markets, the post holder will:

• Lead qualitative interviews and focus groups with relevant stakeholders (healthcare professionals, regulatory agencies, retailers, and the public) regarding opportunities and challenges that are posed by existing and proposed changes to existing guidance and regulatory frameworks.
• Lead a consensus exercise to co-produce good practice guidance for the evaluation, (including useability, consumer and health service impact assessment), regulation, marketing and post market surveillance of Direct To Consumer Tests (DTCT).
• Present high quality findings in a variety of formats for a diverse audience, including peer reviewed publications.

The post offers an exciting opportunity to work within the internationally leading Biostatistics, Evidence Synthesis, Test Evaluation and Modelling (BESTEAM) team. The post-holder will be based in the Department of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Birmingham. The successful candidate will start as soon as possible. Less than full time and job share could be accommodated. 

Role Summary

• Initiate and conduct original research which has measurable outcomes and is reflected in a growing national and often incipient international reputation

• Plan, design and co-ordinate research activities and programmes

• Contribute to the development of research strategies

• Publish results of own research

• Supervise PhD students

• Contribute to the Department/School through management/leadership 

• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities, widening participation, schools outreach or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University

Main Duties

To plan and carry out research, using appropriate methodology and techniques. This may include, where appropriate to the discipline:

• Lead qualitative and multi method research as part of the CRUK funded GUIDE-DTCT Study 
• Identify, recruit and consent research participants
• Collect, analyse and interpret qualitative and multi method data using appropriate methods
• Pursue personal research including developing research ideas and winning support, including financial support
• Plan, publish and/or execute high quality research
• Project manage research activities, and/or supervise other research staff
• Present high quality findings in publications and conference proceedings 
• Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued
• Supervise and examine PhD students, both within and out with the University
• Provide expert advice to colleagues and students within discipline
• Contribute to the administration/management of research across the Department/School
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University
• Contribute to some administrative activities within the University, typically relating to research
• Apply knowledge in a way that develops new intellectual understanding
• Actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour

Person Specification

• Normally, a higher degree relevant to the research area (normally PhD) or equivalent qualifications
• Extensive research experience and scholarship within subject specialism
• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation 
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results
• Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods
• Extensive experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Sarah Perrott, email: [email protected] 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.