Research Associate

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £32,296 to £34,866 with potential progression once in post to £39,105

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to March 2026

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 as robust methods as possible, and to develop and deliver new studies and ultimately, improving care for mothers and babies. 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 be involved in 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 and we are looking for a researcher with experience of working within the NHS, ideally in maternity care. Experience of qualitative 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, contributing to analysis, interpretation and dissemination as well new projects and contributing to writing bids.

Person Specification

• Degree or equivalent in relevant subject area 
• Practical experience of applying the relevant skills and techniques – working within the NHS, ideally in maternity care
• Ability to analyse information and communicate effectively
• Ability to access and organise resources successfully
• 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

Informal enquires can be made to Professor Sara Kenyon s.kenyon@bham.ac.uk.

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

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