Research Associate

Vacancy terms: Full-time or job share, fixed term contract to 31 March 2027

Salary details: Grade 7 - £39,355 to £45,413 per annum, pro-rata if part-time

Hours per week: 37.5

About the role

We are seeking a qualitative researcher for a Wellcome Trust funded project: Understanding and Enhancing Cancer Health Equity for Black and Mixed Black Ethnic Minority Women.

You will play a pivotal role in supporting the completion of the narrative review, delivering qualitative data collection and analysis, preparing research outputs—including academic publications and parliamentary outputs —and establishing a patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) with the project’s PPIE coordinator. You will also collaborate with internal and external partners, including the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, NHS partners, and charities, to ensure the research achieves maximum impact.

This role focuses on amplifying the voices of Black and Mixed Black ethnic minority women, ensuring their experiences shape recommendations to improve cancer equity, by addressing barriers to symptom awareness, diagnosis, and decision-making in healthcare.

About you

With a PhD in health and/or social sciences, you will have expertise in qualitative research, with experience in conducting systematic or narrative reviews. A proven track record of research productivity, demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and meaningful engagement with underserved groups, is essential. The role also requires strong project management, planning, and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to identify and pursue future funding opportunities.

The ideal candidate will be committed to advancing health equity in cancer research, focusing on women's experiences, symptom awareness, diagnosis, and decision-making. You will collect and analyse equality monitoring data, conduct interviews, and contribute to academic outputs. Additionally, you will facilitate UK-wide focus groups, ensuring women's voices shape actionable recommendations for health equity.

Additional information

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Natalie Darko on dd253@leicester.ac.uk

We anticipate that interviews will take place during either weeks commencing 14 or 21 April 2025.

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying.  

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive. 

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Advert closes midnight on: 30 March 2025

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