Research Associate / Senior Research Associate in Health Services Research

The role

We are seeking to appoint up to three talented, enthusiastic and experienced qualitative researchers to join the internationally recognised QuinteT (Qualitative Research Integrated within Trials) research group. Researchers in the QuinteT team integrate qualitative research into nationally and internationally funded randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to undertake QuinteT Recruitment Interventions (QRIs) and process evaluations. The role will involve supporting patient recruitment and/or conducting aspects of trial process evaluations in trials being conducted in surgery, breast cancer, and dementia and spanning feasibility to full trial.

The role is available on a full-time basis and part-time basis. We have funding for one full-time post and a part-time post for 9 months (or up to three part-time roles) from the date of appointment with potential for outstanding candidates to continue working within the School.

What will you be doing?

The role will involve qualitative data collection and analysis. You will be setting up and undertaking in-depth interviews with health and care professionals and patients, as well as liaising with health and care professionals to ensure that audio-recordings are made of appointments where eligible patients are presented with information about RCTs. You will analyse these data (using methods of constant comparison, or other appropriate methods and techniques such as content, framework or conversation analysis) and work with the study lead and management group to optimise recruitment and informed consent, and to investigate how, why, for whom, and in what contexts study interventions are effective and acceptable or not, to inform future implementation.

You should apply if

We are advertising these posts for either a Senior Research Associate (J Grade) - suitable for a researcher with post-doctoral experience or a Research Associate (I grade) - which is a developmental role that may be suitable for candidates at an earlier stage of their career.

Successful applicants will have experience of undertaking applied qualitative research, most likely in a health services research setting. The posts will suit a researcher with a PhD (or working towards or submitted) in health services research or those with a background in sociology or anthropology, who are keen to develop a research profile in RCT methodology. Ideally, the candidate should be available to start in April 2025.

Additional information

Contract type: Fixed term with funding for 9 months in the first instance
Work pattern: 1.5FTE to be split across up to 3 positions in any way, Full-time or part-time
Grade: Grade I or J / Pathway 2
Salary: Grade I: £37,999 - £43,878, Grade J: £42,632- £47,874 both per annum (pro rata if applicable)
School/Unit: Bristol Medical School
Shift pattern: 35 hours per week
This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 05/03/2025
For informal queries please contact: Dr Carmel Conefrey (Carmel.Conefrey@bristol.ac.uk)

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.
The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives - particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.