Qualitative Research Fellow-Maternity Care Implementation in Birmingham

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 £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7 Part Time (18.75 hours per week) Fixed Term contract up to December 2026

Closing date: 28th May 2026

Background

We are seeking an experienced and autonomous qualitative researcher, with an interest and experience in implementation science/behaviour change and maternity care, to join the PRE-EMPT study. This is a research project funded by the NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research with the aim of preventing pre-term birth through cervical length screening and treatment. With support, you will lead the qualitative research within work package 1 (WP1) in the programme. WP1 will investigate health care workers/providers views on the barriers and facilitators that may affect the uptake of cervical length screening and treatment across diverse groups of first time mothers. Implementation science expertise is desired for this role. You may also support qualitative research in Work Package 2 and provide methodological support to other work packages where relevant, ensuring high-quality qualitative/multi method research integration within the broader research programme. Clinical experience of midwifery is desired for this role. You will be based in the Department of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Birmingham, working alongside internationally recognised maternal health research teams. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with partners from Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust and other key healthcare institutions involved in the project. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a high‑impact research project with real-world implications for maternal and neonatal health, working within leading academic and clinical teams.

Role Summary

• Work within the PRE-EMPT programme grant and its team of co‑applicants.
• Operate within area of specialism (implementation science/behaviour change/maternal health).
• Analyse and interpret data and research findings and results.
• Contribute to generating patient information, academic publications, and policy reports.
• Contribute to public understanding of implementation/behavioural science, maternal health, and inequalities.

Main Duties

• Contribute expertise on implementation science/behaviour change and qualitative research methodologies.
• Contribute to designing protocols and data collection tools like topic guides, as well as ethics applications.
• Identify, recruit and consent research participants with a focus on inclusivity and diversity.
• Conduct literature searching and reviewing.
• Lead public involvement activities with a diverse range of contributors.
• Collect qualitative data in a sensitive manner following established protocols.
• Analyse qualitative data using established and rigorous analytic methods.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
• Disseminate research findings for publication such as in policy briefs, academic papers, and at research seminars, conferences.
• Ensure that dissemination pathways are accessible/inclusive.
• Undertake management and administration activities arising from the research project.
• Contribute to Departmental/School research‑related activities and research‑related administration.
• Contribute to writing bids and generate funding.
• 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 a PhD (or near to completion) relevant to research area.
• Expertise in qualitative research methodologies and methods, implementation science/behaviour change methodologies.
• Experience and expertise in carrying out multicentre research in maternity care.
• Registered midwife with current practice experience.
• Be familiar with implementation frameworks and behaviour change, and working with underserved populations.
• High level analytical capability.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Excellent ability to work as a team and independently including co‑ordinating 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.

We are committed to equal opportunity and inclusion.