Research Fellow - Department of Applied Health Sciences - 104694 - Grade 7

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 £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2026

Closing date: 3rd February 2025

Please note: We are advertising for both a Research Associate (105062) and a Research Fellow (104694), however there is only 1 post available.

Background

This post holder will join an established team in the Department of Applied Health Research at the University of Birmingham, to work on Theme 4 (Maternity) of the NIHR West Midlands Applied Research Collaboration (https://www.arc-wm.nihr.ac.uk/maternity/) led by Professor Sara Kenyon. The maternity theme works closely with practice and will continue existing work using robust methods, and to develop and deliver new studies to ultimately improve care for mothers and babies.

You will support the development of new projects and grant applications to investigate how to improve outcomes in maternity care. We will be undertaking mixed methods research across healthcare settings in the maternity pathway from antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care, particularly examining processes and outcomes of care when mothers cross boundaries or interfaces between services, or areas of concern identified by stakeholders. Our work includes re-designing care pathways with healthcare professionals. More detail of the current projects is on the website, and contact with Professor Kenyon prior to applying is strongly encouraged. This role will be critical in delivering the theme’s aims.

You will have an unrivalled opportunity to undertake impactful research that will support the NHS in a time of rapid change within maternity care and improve outcomes for women and babies, combined with the opportunities of working within an established theme and a large multidisciplinary NIHR infrastructure programme. The NIHR ARC WM is a community of disciplinary and methodological specialists across three universities and six themes, and in this role, you will be able to work with and draw on their expertise.

Role Summary

This post will cover maternity leave up until the end of this current ARC in March 2026. We are looking for an experienced researcher with experience of working within the NHS, ideally in and/or maternity care. Experience of both qualitative and quantitative methods is essential. Experience of implementation science would be advantageous. You will be required to work as part of a team supporting ongoing work, undertaking data collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination, as well as developing new projects and contributing to writing bids. Flexible and hybrid working is considered.

Main Duties

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

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required.
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding.
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as literature reviews, surveys, and research interviews.
• Analyse and interpret data.
• Apply knowledge in a way that develops new intellectual understanding.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars, etc.
• 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 Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration.
• Contribute to enterprise, business development, and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under the supervision of a project leader.
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters.
• 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.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent experience.
• Experience of undertaking applied research in health, in the NHS, ideally in and/or maternity settings.
• Qualitative research skills including data collection and analysis.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, managers, and staff within health settings, and with service users.
• Excellent IT skills, with working knowledge of standard Microsoft Office software and using custom systems and databases.
• 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 Sara Kenyon, email: s.kenyon@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.