Research Fellow - Department of Applied Health Sciences - 106414 - Grade 7

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a Public Health researcher to join a multidisciplinary team within its School of Health Sciences. The position involves working on public health initiatives and conducting research while supporting a diverse research team. The ideal candidate will have a relevant first degree and preferably be near completion of their PhD. This is a full-time, fixed-term contract with a salary range of £36,636 to £46,049.

Qualifications

• Evidence of mixed methods expertise.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Understanding and contributing to management/administration processes.

Responsibilities

• Work within PHRESH and SPHR teams.
• Conduct research fieldwork and analysis.
• Write bids for research funding.

Skills

Research and analytical capability

Mixed methods expertise

Communication skills

Knowledge of research methods

Education

First degree in area of specialism

PhD (or near to completion)

Job description

Position Details

Department of Applied Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to December 2026

Closing date: 21st October 2025

Background

This post is an excellent opportunity for a Public Health researcher to join a multidisciplinary academic consortium across the Universities of Birmingham, Warwick and Keele (the PHRESH Consortium). The post is based in the School of Health Sciences within the Applied Health Sciences Department, and the post holder will assist with delivering the programme of work associated with the PHRESH consortium within the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Interventions Responsive Studies Team (PHIRST).

There are a number of PHIRST teams nationally. Professors Peymané Adab and Miranda Pallan are the co-leads for the PHRESH PHIRST Team. The PHIRST Teams are contracted to deliver evaluations for councils across the UK on public health initiatives that they have rolled out. The post holder will be responsible for working with the existing PHRESH staff to deliver projects in partnership with the councils assigned to the PHRESH PHIRST team.

Alongside this, the post holder will support the School for Public Health Research activities and will assist in delivering research projects with PHRESH involvement.

Throughout the duration of this post, the candidate will be part of a growing team and will be exposed to a wealth of opportunities within the Public Health Research space. This post is maternity cover for an existing researcher working within the team, it is a 12-month post, with potential for follow on funding.

Role Summary

• Work within the PHRESH PHIRST team and the PHRESH School for Public Health Research team
• Operate within Public Health specialism to provide expertise; contribute to the design of research projects and conduct research fieldwork
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and protocols for PHIRST or SPHR projects, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, including literature reviews, research interviews, surveys and physical measurements
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a PhD (or near to completion) relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• High level research and analytical capability; specifically evidence of mixed methods expertise
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Lucy Oakey, email: [e-mail]

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