Research Fellow - School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences - 106397 - Grade 7 chez The University of Birmingham

Position Details

School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to January 2029

Closing date: 4th November 2025

Background

To contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within a specific research project. The University of Birmingham has secured funding from the Vivensa Foundation to deliver a three-year programme implementing the REtirement in ACTion (REACT) programme at scale across two Integrated Care Systems (ICSs): Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) and North Central London (NCL).

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Fellow to join this major research initiative. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in driving programme delivery and managing the research components, including implementation, evaluation, and co-production with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Role Summary

Generally, the Research Fellow will:

• Work within the REACT research project and contribute to writing bids for relevant studies 

• Operate within area of specialism which may include exercise science, health behaviour science and/or implementation science

• Analyse and interpret research findings from mixed-methods programme evaluation 

• Contribute to generating funding and dissemination outputs

Specifically, the Research Fellow will play a key role in a three-year implementation study evaluating the REACT programme—an evidence-based, group exercise and behaviour maintenance intervention designed to prevent mobility decline in older adults at high risk of disability. The post holder will contribute to the assessment of real-world programme delivery and support the development of an Implementation Toolkit to facilitate national scale-up.

The Research Fellow will: 

• Work with delivery partners at two large sites to ensure the REACT programme is rolled out in a planned and timely manner, in accordance with the REACT protocol.
• Oversee qualitative and quantitative data collection.
• Support the development of the REACT Implementation Toolkit and contribute to public understanding of the discipline.
• Collaborate with partners within the community and voluntary sector, local and regional authorities, and external research partners.
• Attend and initiate project meetings, and collaborate with researchers from the REACT study across the full disciplinary spectrum.
• Draw key recommendations for stakeholders and partners.

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below:

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data (i.e. quantitative and qualitative data for rapid implementation evaluation at study delivery sites)
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Help develop the REACT protocol and ethics application and prepare study documentation and measurement pack
• Help recruit, train and organise ad hoc data collectors
• Undertake management/administration arising from research activities across the BNSSG and NCL sites
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Collect, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data from a variety of research methods such as literature reviews, interviews, focus groups, fidelity assessments, rapid evaluations, surveys and systems mapping workshops
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters and participate in the full range of dissemination activities of the REACT project
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to postgraduate students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods applying Implementation science and system mapping methodologies 
• Undertake management/administration arising from research, including ensuring that the information and records processed (received, created, used, stored, destroyed) on behalf of the University are managed in compliance with ALL applicable legislation, codes and policies (e.g. Data Protection, Information Security and Records Management)
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research 
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture. 

Person Specification

• First degree (BA/BSc) in area of specialism (e.g. behavioural science, exercise science, public health, implementation science, or related) and normally a higher degree (PhD or near completion) in relevant research area or equivalent qualifications (e.g. health services research /evaluation of health interventions, or behaviour change research)
• High level analytical capability, particularly with qualitative data
• Ability to communicate (orally and in writing) complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones (e.g. systems mapping, mixed-methods data collection and analysis, implementation science methods, rapid evaluation of behaviour change interventions)
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes within the multi-site REACT project
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the REACT project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
• Knowledge of ageing, physical activity, or health behaviour interventions
• Strong stakeholder engagement and co-production experience
• Experience in participatory action research and working with underserved communities
• Knowledge of implementation science frameworks (e.g., Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research).

Informal enquiries to Afroditi Stathi, 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.