Senior Research Associate– Qualitative Research and Co-Design in Primary Care

The role

We are looking to appoint an experienced, enthusiastic researcher to support engagement and qualitative data collection from primary care and community-based sites in a multi-centre health technology innovation project. 

The project, funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s Invention for Innovation (NIHR i4i) programme, is an exciting translational collaboration between academics, clinicians and industry to develop a novel technology to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Specifically, the project is developing a new technique (called sub-cellular fluctuating imaging, or SCFI) that can determine within minutes if bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. With this grant, we are moving from a laboratory prototype towards a viable Point-of-Care (POC) diagnostic test. It is anticipated this test will enable rapid prescription of the correct antibiotic for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), and improve patient outcomes by ensuring the correct medication is used first time.

This post will support the delivery of co-design work at participating community sites in the South West, including GP practices, pharmacies, urgent care services and care homes. The project is using innovative co-design methods to understand the needs, processes and constrains relevant to those who may interact with or benefit from the technology (e.g. clinicians, health support staff, patients, carers etc).  The successful applicant will have interests and experience in working with a diversity of interested groups and individuals to support knowledge mobilisation. They will have knowledge of creative and co-participatory approaches, and significant experience of working with public contributors and primary care clinicians. 

What will you be doing?

The successful applicant will have a key role in co-ordinating and delivering the co-design qualitative research work with service users and clinicians, working in primary and community healthcare settings around the South West (and occasional visits to partner sites nationally) to collect and collate research data that will inform the design, prototyping and refinement of our diagnostic device. The post-holder will use their knowledge primary care service, and their skills of developing relationships and conducting co-design work with a range of interested groups, including the use of innovative participatory methods.  

You should apply if

• You have a strong background in qualitative methods in community settings, co-design and engagement work, and enjoy the challenge of findings ways to creatively mobilise knowledge between service users, clinicians, academics and industry;
• You have experience of effectively engaging groups previously under-represented in primary care research;
• You have interests in product or device design, UTIs, AMR and/or are excited by the proposed of working as part of a health technology collaboration spanning industry, academia and the NHS.

Additional information

Contract type: Fixed Term for 12 months from start date (01/05/2025-30/04/2026)

Work pattern: Part-time/ 40-80% FTE (to be agreed)

Shift pattern: 14-28 hours per week (to be agreed)

For informal queries please contact:

Dr Matthew Booker matthew.booker@bristol.ac.uk or

Dr Helen Baxter Helen.Baxter@bristol.ac.uk

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