Research Fellow in Coastal Community and Creative Health

University of Brighton; England; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

A higher education institution is seeking a Research Fellow in Coastal Community and Creative Health. The role focuses on improving mental health in coastal areas by collaborating with community groups and conducting research. Candidates should possess a relevant degree, excellent organisational skills, and experience in qualitative methods. The position is fixed-term until January 31, 2027, with a starting date no later than October 13, 2025.

Qualifications

• Experience working with Local Authorities on coastal inequalities.
• Ability to complete project deliverables on time.
• Experience collaborating with voluntary sector organisations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day running of the project.
• Prepare ethics applications and draft funder reports.
• Collaborate with project partners and community groups.

Skills

Creative qualitative research methods

Organisational skills

Competent IT skills

Education

Relevant degree in public health or related discipline

Postgraduate qualification/PhD (desirable)

Tools

NVivo

Microsoft Office

Job description

Research Fellow in Coastal Community and Creative Health (0.75 full-time equivalent)

School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences

Location: Brighton - Falmer

Salary: £41,064 to £48,822 pro rata

Fixed Term End Date: 31/01/2027

Closing Date: Tuesday 23 September 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Reference: EH4014-25-197

Applications are invited for an experienced researcher to join a research team undertaking a national study on coastal communities and creative health. The project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and is based in three coastal areas with poor health in different regions of England: Blackpool, Hastings and Weston-Super-Mare with a focus on three key areas identified by our communities: 1) young people\'s mental health and wellbeing; 2) drug and alcohol (substance) use; and 3) serious illness and bereavement. The project aims to:

• generate evidence and resources to improve mental health in our focus areas by enhancing and widening access to community assets;
• enhance the skills and knowledge of people working with our communities to tackle mental health and wellbeing inequalities through community assets;
• create a model of collaborative working across sectors and with communities which uses community assets to tackle inequalities in coastal towns.

You will play a key role in the project including:

• day-to-day running of the project;
• preparing ethics applications;
• collaborating with project partners and community groups in Hastings and surrounding areas;
• recruitment and data collection activities (including creative methods as well as interviews and/or focus groups);
• drafting funder reports;
• participating in regular team and national project meetings;
• drafting papers for publication.

To be successful in this post you should have:

• A relevant degree, preferably in public health or a related discipline (e.g. public health nutrition, health promotion);
• Sufficient, up to date breadth or depth of coastal communities and related health and social inequalities impacting communities in the southeast region and specifically Hastings and its surrounding areas;
• Experience in using creative qualitative research methods and working closely with voluntary sector organisations (VSOs) in Hastings and nearby areas to recruit participants;
• Experience of working directly with Local Authorities in the southeast region on topics relating to coastal inequalities and deprivation;
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to complete project deliverables on time and to adhere to project deadlines;
• Competent IT skills including use of reference management software, Microsoft Office, and qualitative data management software such as NVivo;
• Able to work regularly in-person in Hastings and its surrounding areas.

The following are desirable, but not essential to undertake this role:

• Ideally a postgraduate qualification/PhD or an equivalent level of professional research experience;
• Experience of collaborating with voluntary sector organisations to design and deliver research/training workshops to a range of communities and organisations supporting marginalised populations;
• A track record of publications.

The position is 0.75 full-time equivalent and is fixed-term until 31 January 2027 as the funding is limited to this period. Starting ideally no later than the 13th October 2025, you will be based at Falmer with both office and remote working. Regular in-person working in Hastings and its surrounding areas will also be required.

Interviews are anticipated to be held on w/c 29 September 2025. For an informal discussion please contact Professor Nigel Sherriff by email: [e-mail]