Research Fellow

The Maternal and Child Health Research Centre in the Institute for Health Research is a newly established centre of excellence in maternal and child health research. At the heart of the Centre’s research is our passion to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers, babies and families through the continuum of pregnancy, childbirth and the early years of life. Our academic identity, both national and international, is closely aligned with applied research that draws on different disciplines, on the health needs, care experiences and health outcomes for mothers, babies and families who tend to experience biological and social vulnerabilities. To find out more visit Maternal and Child Health Research Centre (MCHRC) | University of Bedfordshire (beds.ac.uk)

The project will begin with an analysis of anonymous routinely collected from National Health Service (NHS) maternity units in BLMK areas to understand the patterns with respect to the timing of first antenatal care appointment and the number of appointments attended. This will be followed by a qualitative study to examine the barriers and facilitators for antenatal care initiation and the implementation and preliminary evaluation of a tailored community based intervention co-produced with mothers and health care providers to enhance timely antenatal care initiation and optimum uptake.

The Research Fellow will be responsible for the day-to-day conduct of the project and will take the lead in data analysis and the development, implementation and preliminary evaluation of the intervention in Luton.

The Research Fellow will be expected to work alongside research colleagues under the supervision of the Principal Investigator.

As well as having potential opportunity to work full time providing input into teaching, you will be encouraged to develop your own research skills, become involved in leading and co-authoring research papers, develop research ideas and contribute to the design of new studies.

The successful candidate will be joining an international centre for research excellence. According to REF 2021, 75% of the University’s research outputs in UoA3 (Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy) were 3* or 4* - internationally excellent or world leading.

Informal enquiries can be made to:

Dr Shuby Puthussery, Director, Maternal and Child Health Research Centre, shuby.puthussery@beds.ac.

Interviews will be held on 25th July 2024

For a full job description and person specification, please click the apply button above.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

The University is committed to equality of opportunity and values the diversity of all its workforce and student population.

Please note CVs will only be accepted in addition to a fully completed application form.

All applications must be received by midnight on the closing date. Applications will not be accepted after this deadline.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

To apply please click the apply button above.

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