Health Services Research Fellow

You will join the Institute for Health and Care Improvement (IHCI), a vibrant and growing interdisciplinary research environment committed to delivering high-quality, impactful research that improves health and care outcomes. The Institute works in partnership with local, regional and national organisations across health, care and the voluntary sector, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, co-production and real-world impact.

We are seeking to appoint a Health Services Research Fellow (14.8 hours per week) to contribute to the development of high-quality, impactful applied health research within the Institute. The post is offered on a two-year fixed-term basis, with any extension subject to the successful securing of additional external funding.

We are looking for an ambitious researcher with a strong and developing track record in applied health research, alongside substantial previous professional experience working as an allied health professional, nurse or midwife. The successful candidate will have a PhD or professional doctorate and be able to demonstrate a track record of research activity, with clear potential to develop their research leadership, secure external funding and deliver meaningful impact on health and care.

You will have dedicated time to advance your own programme of applied health research, building on your professional expertise and existing research achievements. Working collaboratively with colleagues and external partners, you will contribute to the development and delivery of research projects, funding applications, publications and activities that support improvements in health and care.

As part of the application process, applicants will be asked to submit a brief research proposal (maximum two pages) outlining their proposed programme of applied health research during the fellowship including anticipated activities and outputs, how the proposed research builds on their existing expertise and achievements and contributes to their longer-term research ambitions, and opportunities to develop collaborations, generate impact and secure external research funding. Proposals should demonstrate a clear and feasible programme of work appropriate to the duration and part-time nature of the fellowship.

Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct high-quality, impactful applied health research.
- Develop and lead research projects and collaborations, drawing on clinical expertise and experience.
- Prepare and contribute to external research funding applications.
- Produce high-quality research outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, reports and conference presentations.
- Build productive relationships with health and care organisations, practitioners, patients and other stakeholders.
- Contribute to the wider research culture of the Institute, including supporting and mentoring other researchers where appropriate.
- Ensure research is conducted in accordance with relevant ethical, governance and regulatory requirements.

About You:
You will have a PhD or professional doctorate in a relevant health-related discipline, and substantial previous professional experience working as an allied health professional, nurse or midwife. You will demonstrate a strong and developing track record in applied health research through high-quality research outputs, collaborations and other relevant achievements, and experience of developing and delivering research projects with evidence of research leadership or clear potential to progress towards greater independence.

You will have strong knowledge of relevant research methodologies and their application to real-world health and care challenges, experience of contributing to external research funding applications with the ability to develop competitive proposals, experience of supporting the research development of others including postgraduate researchers or less experienced colleagues, and excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills with a commitment to collaborative working.

Current or previous registration with the HCPC, NMC or an equivalent professional regulatory body would be advantageous.

This fellowship offers an opportunity to advance your research career within a supportive and collaborative academic environment, with dedicated time to develop your research programme, strengthen your publication record and build towards external research funding.

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship; applicants must be able to evidence right to work in the UK via an alternative route.

The selection process is anticipated to include an interview and presentation. For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Garry Tew at [email protected].