Research Fellow – Department of Applied Health Sciences – 107350 – Grade 7 Full Time

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 November 2027

Closing date: 14 th May 2026

Background

To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project. We are seeking a Research Fellow to join the Centre for Patient Reported Outcomes Research (CPROR) and work on two projects: an NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) funded evidence synthesis on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and an NIHR funded Health Technology Assessment (HTA) as a qualitative/mixed-methods researcher. For the HTA, the postholder will be part of a UK-wide trials team tasked with delivering a randomised controlled trial (RCT) evaluating the effectiveness of unilateral v bilateral cochlear implantation in adults. In addition, the post holder will be expected to facilitate a range of CPROR research-related activities as required.

Role Summary

The postholder will be expected to work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids within CPROR.

• Operate within area of specialism
• 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:

• Support BRC members and collaborators with the use of PROs in research, incorporating the latest methodological guidance
• Draft research protocols and study documentation and lead on obtaining ethical and research governance approvals
• Contribute to Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) activities for specified research projects
• Identify, recruit and consent participants
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Analyse and interpret qualitative and mixed-methods data using appropriate methods and approaches
• Undertake evidence syntheses using appropriate methods and approaches
• Attend relevant project meetings and broader BRC and LUCIA meetings, representing CPROR and lead these where appropriate
• Undertake project management and administrative tasks as appropriate
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of the project objectives and deadlines
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Provide guidance as required to support staff and any student who may be assisting with the project
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Write up research findings for publication in high impact peer-reviewed journals
• Disseminate research findings using appropriate and effective media, including plain English summaries, seminars, oral and poster presentations at national/international conferences, scientific meeting, public events, and social media
• 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 writing bids for research funding
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to School/Departmental teaching-related activities and teaching-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
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• 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 higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• Experience conducting qualitative and mixed-methods research essential
• Experience conducting systematic reviews essential
• Experience of conducting process evaluations desirable
• Experience of living evidence synthesis methodologies desirable
• Understanding of the PRO field desirable
• Understanding of AI in healthcare desirable
• Understanding of hearing loss and deafness, including deaf awareness, desirable
• High level analytical capability
• 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 Sarah Hughes, email: s.e.hughes@bham.ac.uk

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .