Research Associate - Department of Applied Health SciencesGrade 6. Job in Birmingham Education [...]

Department of Applied Health Sciences
School of Health Sciences
College of Medicine and Health
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £32,546 to £35,116 with potential progression once in post to £39,355. As this vacancy has limited funding, the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 6 salary £32,546.

Part Time (18.75 hours per week)
Fixed Term contract up to April 2027
Closing date: 17th June 2025

Background:
We are seeking a developing post-doctoral researcher to join the PURSUIT study, a research project funded by the NIHR Research for Patient Benefit programme with the aim of developing and refining a multi-component behaviour change intervention for reducing delay and increasing identification of work-related asthma in primary care. Work-related asthma affects 1 in 4 people of working-age with asthma in the UK and these patients have more time off work and are generally more disabled than those with asthma unrelated to work. Occupational asthma (that caused by work) costs the UK £1 billion every ten years and almost all of this is through NHS healthcare costs and state benefits. Earlier detection can reduce this burden through better treatment and halting or reversal of the disease process.

With support, you will lead qualitative behavioural research within two specified work packages in the programme comprising:

• Interviews with patients and primary healthcare professionals to understand barriers and enablers of identification of work-related asthma.
• Refinement of new behaviour change techniques using thematic analysis of focus groups with patients and healthcare professionals.

You will also work closely with the rest of the research team and contribute to mapping of barriers and enablers using COM-B categories and the behaviour change wheel model and identification and selection of behaviour change techniques. You will be based in the Department of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Birmingham working alongside internationally recognised behavioural and chronic disease epidemiology research teams. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with partners within respiratory medicine services at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and NIHR's West Midlands Regional Research Delivery Network in primary care research.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a high-impact research project with real-world implications for occupational health and respiratory medicine using well-established behavioural science methods and work within UK leading academic and clinical teams.

Role Summary:

• Work within the NIHR-funded PURSUIT study and with its team of co-applicants.
• Operate within area of specialism (qualitative research, behavioural science).
• Analyse and interpret data and research findings and results.
• Contribute to generating patient information, academic publications, and policy reports.
• Contribute to public understanding of behavioural science, occupational respiratory health, and inequalities.

Main Duties:

• Support behaviour change and/or qualitative research methodologies.
• Contribute to designing protocols, data collection tools like topic guides, and ethics applications.
• Identify, recruit, and consent research participants.
• Collect qualitative data in a sensitive manner following established protocols.
• Conduct literature searching and reviewing with support.
• Contribute to public involvement activities.
• Analyse qualitative data using established and rigorous analytic methods with support.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding and that ensures pathways are accessible and inclusive.
• Disseminate research findings for publication such as in policy briefs, academic papers, and at research seminars/conferences.
• Undertake administration activities arising from the research project.
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration.
• Contribute to Departmental/School teaching-related activities and teaching-related administration.
• Where appropriate, contribute to enterprise, business development, and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University often under supervision of a project leader.
• Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research.
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
• Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification:

• First degree in area of specialism and normally a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: qualitative research, behaviour change, and/or respiratory medicine.
• A basic understanding of the behaviour change wheel model.
• Capable of working sensitively with under-served populations.
• Analytical capability.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Excellent ability to work as a team and independently including coordinating own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project.
• 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 enquiries to Gareth Walters.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter, and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability which is a key part of our strategy.