Post Doctoral Research Associate (Health Workforce Research) (CSS681)

University of Lincoln; Lincoln; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Lincoln invites applications for an externally funded Post-Doctoral Research Associate to support the Allied Health Professions Workforce Research Partnership. The role forms part of a five-year NIHR funded programme and works across regional hubs to inform workforce development in rural, coastal, and deprived urban communities.

The post will join the School of Health and Care Sciences and the Lincoln Institute for Rural and Coastal Health, with hybrid working and essential travel

Qualifications

• Experience of undertaking research within a UK health and care context.
• Good understanding of the UK Allied Health Professions and workforce challenges.
• Experience of contributing to complex research projects.
• Skills in literature searching and qualitative research methods.
• Experience of collaborative working with academic, NHS and/or other health and care partners would be valuable.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of the second phase of the research programme.
• Join the University of Lincoln team within the School of Health and Care Sciences and LIRCH.
• Hybrid working with essential travel across the region to work with NHS, university and partner organisations.

Skills

Literature search

Qualitative research

Collaborative work with NHS

Job description

This is an externally funded Post-Doctoral Research Associate position supporting the Allied Health Professions Workforce Research Partnership, a five-year programme funded by the NIHR Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme.

The partnership brings together six universities across three regional hubs - South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the East of England - to undertake research that will contribute to the development of a sustainable and effective Allied Health Professions (AHP) workforce, with a particular focus on rural and coastal communities and deprived urban areas.

The post will support the delivery of the second phase of the research programme, working collaboratively with researchers, NHS partners and universities across the partnership. The successful applicant will join the University of Lincoln team within the School of Health and Care Sciences and the Lincoln Institute for Rural and Coastal Health (LIRCH). LIRCH is the UK's first integrated multidisciplinary research institute dedicated to rural and coastal health and is undergoing significant expansion following a £10.9 million award from Research England's Expanding Excellence in England (E3) fund.

We are seeking a researcher with experience of undertaking research within a UK health and care context, together with a good understanding of the UK Allied Health Professions and the workforce challenges affecting these professions. The successful applicant will have experience of contributing to complex research projects and skills in areas including literature searching and qualitative research methods. Experience of collaborative working with academic, NHS and/or other health and care partners would be particularly valuable.

The role offers hybrid working, but flexibility and the ability to travel across the region to work with NHS, university and other collaborative partners are essential.

About The University Of Lincoln

The University of Lincoln is committed to transforming lives and communities through high-quality teaching, research and knowledge exchange. Research growth is a key strategic priority, and the University continues to invest in its research environment, expertise and partnerships. In REF 2021, 79% of Lincoln's research was rated internationally excellent or world-leading. The University also holds an overall Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023 and was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education in 2023.

This role provides an opportunity to join a growing interdisciplinary research environment and contribute to a major national research partnership addressing important challenges for the future AHP workforce.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Associate Professor Dr Sophie Willis ([e-mail]).

Closing Date: 04 Oct 2026

Department: Research

Salary: £38,784 per annum

Please note, this post is fixed-term and full time until the 28th February 2030