The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) London is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join its Neighbourhood Health and Social Care theme, led at Kingston University by Professor Rick Hood. This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment for 40 months, with a proposed start date of December 2026, and is supported through a NIHR Career Development Award.
NIHR ARCs bring together universities, NHS organisations, local authorities, health and care providers, voluntary and community organisations, and patients and the public to undertake applied research that improves health and care services and outcomes.
The postholder will play a leading role in research evaluating Integrated Neighbourhood Teams for children and young people with complex needs across London. The work will initially map and describe different neighbourhood models across London’s five Integrated Care Systems, followed by mixed-methods research combining routine and administrative data analysis, economic evaluation and comparative case studies. You will have substantial responsibility for planning and delivering the research, analysing and interpreting findings, working with academic, NHS, local authority and community partners, and producing academic and applied outputs.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop an interdisciplinary research profile within a major NIHR-funded programme. You will normally hold a PhD in a relevant discipline, or have submitted your thesis and expect it to be awarded before taking up the post. You should have a strong track record in applied research and experience of quantitative and/or mixed-methods methods. Experience of routine or administrative health or social care data, quasi-experimental approaches, integrated care or child health would be particularly valuable.
You will join an active applied health and social care research environment at Kingston University and the wider ARC London research community, with opportunities for training, networking and career development.
You will normally hold a PhD in a relevant discipline or have submitted your thesis for examination by the time of application and expect it to be awarded before taking up the post. You will have a strong track record in applied research and the ability to design, undertake and manage high-quality research independently and collaboratively.
We are particularly interested in candidates with experience of quantitative and/or mixed-methods research, ideally involving routine or administrative health or social care data and natural experiment or quasi-experimental approaches. Knowledge of integrated care, child health or applied health and social care research would also be valuable. You should be able to communicate research effectively to academic and non-academic audiences and work confidently with partners from different professional, organisational and community backgrounds.
The role would particularly suit someone seeking to develop towards research independence and leadership. You will be expected to contribute actively to the wider ARC research community, demonstrate strong research integrity, and share NIHR's commitment to research inclusion and meaningful involvement of people and communities.
School of Education, Midwifery & Social Work
Individualisation is very important to us at Kingston University’s School of Education, Midwifery and Social Work. For our students that means a philosophy where we go above and beyond to deliver learning that draws on a variety of technologies and approaches that develop the very best practitioners of tomorrow. For our staff we provide the support they need to enable them to succeed in the different aspects of their role, including teaching, supervision and research.
Everyone here enjoys an environment built on innovation where we recruit original thinkers who are motivated to explore new avenues and transform learners’ lives.
This is a full time, fixed term position available until 31 March 2031 with a starting salary of £45,025 per annum.
Interviews are expected to be held on week commencing 9th November 2026.
For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Rick Hood in the Department ofSocial Work & Social Care.
We welcome applications from researchers from a range of disciplinary backgrounds.
Applicants working in community, social care and public health are welcome to contact the ACD London RCD Lead Professor Priscilla Harries to explore their suitability for these career development opportunities.
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Research Fellow in Kingston upon Thames employer: Kingston University
Kingston School of Art is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and interdisciplinary environment where academic leaders can thrive. With a strong commitment to innovation, inclusion, and academic excellence, employees benefit from collaborative relationships across the university and with industry partners, fostering professional growth and impactful contributions to the creative and cultural sectors. The school's rich heritage and top-ranking status in art and design education provide a unique opportunity for meaningful engagement and development in a supportive community.
