Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Medicine without Doctors)

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university in Edinburgh seeks a researcher for a 5-year project on the role of Physician Associates in healthcare. The position combines interdisciplinary methods in medical sociology and history to address evolving medical practices. Applicants should have a PhD in a related field and experience in qualitative research. This full-time role offers a salary between £41,064 to £48,822 per annum, along with comprehensive staff benefits.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Competitive pension schemes

Staff discounts

Qualifications

• Must have a PhD awarded in a relevant discipline like social sciences or anthropology.
• Knowledge of current issues in medicine is essential.
• Experience in conducting qualitative research is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop a 5-year project on the Physician Associate case study.
• Engage in multidisciplinary research across various fields.
• Contribute to the exploration of medical practices in the UK.

Skills

Qualitative research

Empirical research design

Understanding of medicine and health systems

Collaborative working

Compassionate approach

Education

PhD in relevant discipline

Job description

Overview

Grade UE07: £41,064 to £48,822 per annum

School of Social and Political Science

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: 60 months (1st April 2026 - 31st March 2031)

The Opportunity

You will join the Wellcome-funded research project, ‘Medicine without Doctors: Reimagining Care and Voice through Play’, which examines the changing landscape of medical authority, voice and care. You will be responsible for developing your own 5-year project on the Physician Associate case study, aligning with the Medicine without Doctors wider vision and combining methodological approaches from medical sociology, medical anthropology, STS, and history, to study the emergence and standardisation of the role of the Physician Associate in the UK national health service.

Medicine without Doctors is a six-year Wellcome-funded project exploring the changing authority of medical practices in the UK through four case studies: LGBTQ+ health, Autonomous Systems, abortion care, and the physician associate. The project is underpinned by two theoretical pillars: the sociology of care and the philosophy of voice. It brings together a multidisciplinary and sector-spanning team of investigators, from philosophy, socio-legal studies, STS, history, sociology and design, with the aim of creating new, interdisciplinary knowledge. In this project, we are excited to develop and draw on play methodologies collaboratively. Through play we seek to advance all aspects of the project creatively and will engage entrenched issues with new perspectives and approaches.

This full time (35 hours per week) post is fixed term for 60 months from 1st April 2026 - 31st March 2031, and is based on-campus.

Your skills and attributes for success

• A PhD awarded in a relevant discipline e.g. social sciences, history, science and technology studies, anthropology, or other discipline with a strong background in conducting qualitative research and engaging with law and policy
• Knowledge and understanding of current issues in medicine and health systems
• Experience of designing and conducting empirical research including organising, conducting, collecting, managing and analysing data from interviews, focus groups, surveys, or other forms of data collection
• Experience of working independently and collaboratively with others to deliver projects
• Ability to work in a compassionate and socially responsible manner

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Application information

As part of your application, please submit a CV and covering letter that addresses your suitability for the role, as well as a one-page description of a research project you would like to pursue in this role.

Informal questions about this post can be directed to the Hiring Manager, Dr Lukas Engelmann, Co-Investigator, via email at [e-mail].

External applicants, please refer to the guidance in ‘How to Join Us’ to support your application process.

For current employees interested in applying for this role, please apply as an internal applicant through the People & Money Current Jobs app.

What you can expect

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive staff benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages.

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.

Key dates

The closing date for application is 2nd October 2025.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browser’s local time zone.

Interviews will typically be held 2-3 weeks after the closing date.