Clinical Research Fellow - Department of Applied Health Sciences - 105381 - Clinical

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 £43,455 to £73,506

Clinical

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to October 2028

Closing date: 17th March 2025

Background

We are seeking an enthusiastic and autonomous Research Fellow to join the PRE-EMPT study, a research project funded by the NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research with the aim of preventing pre-term birth through cervical length screening and treatment.

This research post is to support the teams working on the individual work packages. These include investigating the barriers and facilitators that affect the uptake of cervical length screening and treatment across diverse populations including women and health care workers. The Clinical Fellow will also support a health economics work package and then an implementation study. This post therefore provides the opportunity to develop a range of skills and work with experts in these areas. It is open to either midwives or trainee obstetricians wishing to gain research experience who are interested in expanding their research expertise and being part of a group running a broad research program.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a high-impact research project with real-world implications for maternal and neonatal health, working within excellent academic and clinical teams. You will be supported to register for a higher degree if this is desired.

Role Summary

• Work within the PRE-EMPT programme grant and its team of co-applicants
• Operate within area of specialism (maternal health)
• Analyse and interpret data and research findings and results
• Contribute to generating patient information, academic publications, policy reports and funding
• Contribute to public understanding of behavioural science, maternal health, and inequalities
• Contribute to public understanding of the discipline or similar and/or work with appropriate teams for licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated)

Main Duties

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

• Contribute to designing protocols and data collection tools like topic guides, as well as ethics applications
• Identify, recruit and consent research participants with a focus on inclusivity and diversity
• Conduct literature searching, reviewing and data interpretation
• Lead public involvement activities with a diverse range of contributors
• Support the set of the implementation study in 12-15 sites
• Link and liaise with other members of the staff in the relevant NHS Trusts including midwife managers and the R&D departments with support from the co-applicant team
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication such as in policy briefs, academic papers, and at research seminars, conferences
• Ensure that dissemination pathways are accessible/inclusive
• Undertake management and administration activities arising from the research project
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to writing bids and generate funding
• Where appropriate, 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
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project

Person Specification

• Clinical qualification and experience in Obstetrics (either medical or midwifery)
• Experience in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods and ability to contribute to developing new research methodologies
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Publications in a relevant research setting or methodology
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Capacity to 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
• Desire to do develop in trajectory towards research independence

OH and DBS required

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Occupational Health and/or DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Christine MacArthur, email: c.macarthur@bham.ac.uk

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.