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

University of Brighton; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK is seeking an experienced researcher for a vital project on coastal communities, focusing on enhancing mental health and wellbeing. The role includes project management, participant recruitment, and collaboration with local organizations. Ideally, candidates should have a relevant degree and experience in qualitative research methods. This is a part-time, fixed-term position based in Falmer with remote working options.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of coastal communities and health inequalities affecting the southeast region.
• Experience collaborating with voluntary sector organisations.
• Excellent organizational skills to deliver project outputs on time.

Responsibilities

• Day-to-day management of the project.
• Preparing ethics applications and drafting reports.
• Recruiting participants through creative methods.

Skills

Creative qualitative research methods

Organizational skills

Competent IT skills

Education

Relevant degree in public health or related discipline

Tools

NVivo

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

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. The focus areas are: (1) young people’s mental health and wellbeing; (2) drug and alcohol use; and (3) serious illness and bereavement. The project aims to generate evidence and resources to improve mental health by enhancing access to community assets; enhance skills and knowledge of people working with communities to tackle mental health inequalities; and create a model of collaborative working across sectors with communities to tackle inequalities in coastal towns.

Responsibilities

• 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

Requirements / Qualifications

• A relevant degree, preferably in public health or a related discipline (e.g., public health nutrition, health promotion)
• Knowledge of coastal communities and related health and social inequalities affecting the southeast region, particularly Hastings and surrounding areas
• Experience using creative qualitative research methods and working with voluntary sector organisations (VSOs) in Hastings and nearby areas to recruit participants
• Experience of working with Local Authorities in the southeast region on topics related to coastal inequalities and deprivation
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to deliver project outputs on time
• Competent IT skills including reference management software, Microsoft Office, and qualitative data management software such as NVivo
• Able to work regularly in-person in Hastings and surrounding areas

Desirable Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification/PhD or equivalent professional research experience
• Experience collaborating with voluntary sector organisations to design and deliver research/training workshops for diverse communities
• Publications track record

Employment Details

The position is 0.75 full-time equivalent and fixed-term until 31 January 2027. Starting ideally no later than 13 October 2025. You will be based at Falmer with both office and remote working; regular in-person work in Hastings and surrounding areas is required. Interviews are anticipated w/c 29 September 2025. For an informal discussion, contact Professor Nigel Sherriff at [e-mail].

Additional Information

The University is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff and promotes equality and diversity. We particularly encourage applicants from Minority Ethnic backgrounds. We operate an agile working system with time split between campus and home working within the UK. Further information about working for us is available in the working with us section of our vacancies page.