Research Assistant / Postdoctoral Research Fellow

University of Plymouth; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Plymouth is seeking a Research Assistant / Postdoctoral Research Fellow to assist with an NIHR-funded project aimed at improving behavioral treatments for severe obesity. This full-time role offers an engaging opportunity to work within a multi-disciplinary team on impactful research, with a competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

NHS pension scheme eligibility

Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Development opportunities

Enhanced family leave

Flexible working

Retailer discounts

On-site nursery

Qualifications

• Exceptional social/health researcher with experience in behavioural science.
• Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of obesity treatment methodologies is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery and evaluation of the PROGROUP project.
• Work with a multi-disciplinary team to implement behaviour change interventions.
• Contribute to the research community's objectives in health behaviour.

Skills

Behavioural Science

Health Behaviour Change

Research Methodology

Education

PhD in Health Sciences or related field

Job description

PROGROUP Research Assistant / Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Salary:

£35,116 to £38,249 per annum (Grade 6) or

£39,355 to £45,413 per annum (Grade 7) (depending on experience)

About the role

The primary function of the role is to support delivery of an NIHR-funded programme of research, ImPROving GROUP Treatment for People with Severe Obesity (the “PROGROUP” project). This programme of research seeks to better understand current services for people with severe obesity and involves a randomised controlled trial of a new group-based behaviour change intervention (called “PROGROUP”) for people living with severe obesity. You will support the PROGROUP team in delivering, evaluating and optimising the PROGROUP intervention. This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional and ambitious social/health researcher to work on a large, multi-disciplinary project with potential to fundamentally impact the behavioural treatment for people who have severe obesity.

The post presents an excellent opportunity for you to develop your interests in behavioural science and health behaviour change as applied to the study and treatment of obesity. You will work with a multi-disciplinary team comprising psychologists and behaviour change experts, clinicians, health service researchers, methodologists, and patients and other stakeholders.

This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis up until 31^st October 2026 due to funding.

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact:

Mark Tarrant by email at [e-mail].

For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.

About us

The Faculty of Health holds four Silver Athena Swan awards, which recognise our commitment to supporting gender equality within higher education.

The University of Plymouth has a strong interdisciplinary research ethos which is supported by our three strategic Research Institutes; the Marine Institute, the Sustainable Earth Institute, and the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research. As a member of our academic community, you’ll be expected to contribute to our recognised research strengths. Working holistically across the University, you will be challenged to innovate, collaborate and deliver impactful research contributions as part of a systems thinking approach to addressing today’s global challenges.

Application Process

Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.

You should tailor your application towards the Job Description for which you meet the criteria, although the University reserves the right to make an offer at the appropriate level in relation to skills and experience.

Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.

Anticipated Interview Date(s): the interviews are likely to take place in-person in Plymouth on 29^th July 2025.

Our Offer

Staff appointed within the Faculty of Health may be able to join the NHS pension scheme subject to eligibility criteria.

When joining us, you will receive:

• Generous annual leave: 25 (Grade 6) / 35 (Grade 7) Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays & Closure Days
• Generous pension scheme
• Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Development opportunities
• Enhanced family leave
• Flexible working
• Retailer discounts
• On-site nursery

A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed here.

Closing Date – 16/07/2025

£35,116 to £45,413. Grade 6/7, per annum, depending on experience