Hybrid Research Assistant presso Cardiff University

Research Assistant 
Division of Population Medicine
School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

This is an exciting opportunity to join a research team (Cardiff University, Hywel Dda University Health Board and UCL) aiming to explore the potential role of community pharmacies in identifying bowel cancer symptoms and facilitating earlier diagnosis.

The successful candidate will work with Dr Harriet Quinn-Scoggins and Dr Savita Shanbhag (Hywel Dda University Health Board) on the mixed methods PHABRIC 2 study (Developing a community pharmacy service to facilitate early diagnosis of bowel cancer: A rapid ethnographic study) funded by Cancer Research UK. The postholder will support the work across all planned research phases which include analysis of survey data, site observations, in-depth interviews, a key stakeholder workshop and dissemination.
 
The successful candidate will be working at PRIME Centre Wales, within the Division of Population Medicine at Heath Park. PRIME Centre Wales (Wales Centre for Primary and Emergency Care Research) is a funded centre for primary and emergency care research by Health and Care Research Wales (via Welsh Government).
 
The successful candidate will be working within the Division of Population Medicine at Heath Park.

Informal enquiries about the role should be directed to: Dr Harriet Quinn-Scoggins, Research Associate on [email protected].

This post is full time (35 hours per week), available immediately and is fixed term until 31 March 2027.
In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working.

Salary: £33,951 - £36,636 per annum (Grade 5)
Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances

The majority of roles at Cardiff University are currently operating under “blended working” arrangements, with staff having the flexibility to work partly from home and partly from the University campus depending on specific business requirements. Discussions around these arrangements can take place after the successful candidate has been appointed.

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. 

Date Advertised: 21 August 2025

Closing date: 4 September 2025

This post has previously been advertised to employees of Cardiff University only.  We now invite external applications.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Main function 
To contribute to research and carry out work that supports the PRIME Centre Wales cancer screening, prevention and early diagnosis group on the PHABRIC 2 study. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
To conduct mixed methods research to support the delivery of the PHABRIC 2 study (funded by Cancer Research UK) based within PRIME Centre Wales and work closely with the wider research team based across Hywel Dda University Health Board and UCL.

Duties and responsibilities

• To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate methods and packages. Including quantitative data from an online survey of community pharmacies and qualitative data from observations and interviews.
• Contribute to the development, delivery and analysis of qualitative studies embedded within the study.
• Undertake study data collection exercises where appropriate, likely including field observations and interviews.
• Help to facilitate engagement with the study patient and public involvement (PPI) co-investigator and the PPI panel across London and Wales.
• Contribute to research progress meetings and reports, and support study administrative duties including setting up meetings, preparing agendas and minute taking.
• To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.
• Actively participate and contribute within the research group, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners as required.
• To contribute and support research funding bids as required.

Other

• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication.

36,636

Grade 5

33,951

Academic - Research

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria
It is the School of Medicine's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.
Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 20533BR. 

If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The School of Medicine welcome the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

Research