Research Associate in Multiple Long-term Conditions Intervention and Prevention

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits at an esteemed institution for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate in exercise science and public health. This role offers a chance to contribute to groundbreaking research on strength-based interventions for individuals with multiple long-term conditions. You will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team, engage with public contributors, and disseminate findings through various channels. Join a supportive environment that values diversity and innovation, where your contributions will significantly impact the field of health sciences and improve lives.

Benefits

Generous Holiday Package

Pension Schemes

Health and Wellbeing Initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience in MLTC research and intervention design.
• Ability to conduct systematic reviews and public engagement activities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and carry out research projects using appropriate techniques.
• Lead write-up of research findings for publication and dissemination.

Skills

Public Engagement Skills

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Team Collaboration

Communication Skills

Education

PhD in Exercise Science

PhD in Population Health Sciences

Tools

Systematic Review Techniques

Research Methodologies

Job description

Salary: £35,116.00 - £37,174.00 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 27 May 2025

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Post-Doctoral Research Associate in exercise science, population health sciences or a related discipline, with strong public engagement skills, to contribute to a NIHR-funded programme of research on strength-based training interventions for people with multiple long-term conditions (MLTC).

You will join an interdisciplinary team focused on improving lives through world-class research in ageing, sarcopenia and MLTC. You will be based in the AGE Research Group at Newcastle University, supervised by Miles Witham, Professor of Trials for Older People, and you will report into a core project team led by Professor Sally Singh at the University of Leicester.

You will contribute to development of a strength-based exercise programme tailored to the needs of those in mid-life living with MLTC, with a view to future evaluation of the intervention in large-scale clinical trials. Your role will entail systematic review of existing literature, conducting surveys of practitioners, co-design of an intervention with a core group of public contributors, and wider consultation and involvement with a diverse set of people living with MLTC. The role will also involve disseminating research findings to academic and public audiences via papers, conference presentations and public engagement events.

Your project will be embedded within the MLTC Cross-NIHR Collaboration (CNC) Interventions and Prevention workstream, co-led by Professors Witham and Singh, with opportunities to collaborate closely with leading academics active in MLTC research across the UK. You will benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration and development opportunities both within the project team and the wider CNC.

This full-time post is fixed term until 30 April 2026.

For informal enquiries please contact Professor Miles Witham: [e-mail]

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here

Find out more about our Research Institutes here

Find out more about the NIHR here

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and carry out specified projects using appropriate techniques
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
• Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, the postholder will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial 'added value'
• Lead write-up of research findings for publication and dissemination
• Present research findings at conferences and other meetings, workshops and events as appropriate
• Contribute, where appropriate, to the supervision of undergraduate and post- graduate projects and dissertations and support other teaching activities (e.g. leading seminars)
• Contribute, where appropriate, to the supervision of Research Assistants
• Contribute to public and patient involvement/engagement (PPIE) activities within the group
• Participate in the activities of the Translational and Clinical Research Institute (Newcastle University) and other University research groupings as and where relevant
• Support relevant collaborations with the University of Leicester and the MLTC Cross-NIHR Collaboration (CNC).
• Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment.

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience of contributing to MLTC research
• Knowledge and/or experience of design and/or delivery of complex interventions, for example exercise training interventions
• Experience of conducting or contributing to systematic reviews
• Experience of leading or contributing to public involvement activities in research and a commitment to co-designing research with patients and/or members of the public
• Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
• Likelihood of advanced skills directly related to the research projects
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others
• Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment
• Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications

Attributes and Behaviour

• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrable ability to carry out research project work within agreed timelines while producing research to an appropriate standard
• Innovative, flexible and cooperative in approach
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team

Qualifications

• A PhD in exercise science, population health sciences or another relevant discipline.

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 28122

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