Research Fellow - Department of Applied Health Sciences - 107234 - Grade 8 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 normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression to £63,606. Grade: 8. Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to December 2028. Closing date: 20th April 2026.

Background

The AI and Digital Health Research & Policy Group, led by Professor Alastair Denniston, is internationally recognized for its work on the regulation, evaluation, and responsible use of AI‑enabled health technologies. The group collaborates with national regulators, global organisations, academic institutions, and industry partners to advance regulatory science and support the safe, equitable deployment of AI in healthcare. It also has significant experience in developing innovative postgraduate education programmes in this field.

The University of Birmingham is the UK lead for SAFER‑MH, a major Wellcome Trust‑funded programme aimed at improving the safety, governance, and regulation of AI‑enabled (mental) health technologies in Sub‑Saharan Africa. Working with partners including PATH, SAHPRA, MHRA, and the African Medicines Agency, the programme brings together regulatory science, policy analysis, and capacity strengthening across multiple workstreams.

This Senior Research Fellow will lead the workstream focused on strengthening AI‑related regulatory capacity across Africa, including the development and delivery of a structured training programme (CPD and PGCert‑level) for regulatory authorities. The post holder will collaborate with regulatory bodies and university partners across Africa, ensuring alignment with wider programme findings. They will apply mixed‑methods approaches to assess capacity needs, develop research‑informed learning materials, and coordinate contributions from multiple international partners. They will oversee production and quality assurance of training assets, support accreditation and governance processes, engage with regulatory and academic stakeholders, and contribute to dissemination across professional and policy audiences.

The role requires strong communication skills, experience managing complex multi‑partner workstreams, and the ability to work effectively across cultures and institutions. Familiarity with LMIC regulatory systems and experience in curriculum development would be advantageous.

Role Summary

• Initiate and conduct original research with measurable outcomes and a growing national and incipient international reputation.
• Plan, design and coordinate research activities and programmes.
• Contribute to the development of research strategies.
• Publish results of own research.
• Supervise PhD students.
• Contribute to the Department/School through management/leadership.
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities, widening participation, schools outreach or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University.

Main Duties

• Pursue personal research including developing research ideas and winning support, including financial support.
• Plan, publish, and/or execute high quality research.
• Project manage research activities, and/or supervise other research staff.
• Present high quality findings in publications and conference proceedings.
• Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued.
• Supervise and examine PhD students, both within and outside the University.
• Provide expert advice to colleagues and students within discipline.
• Contribute to the administration/management of research across the Department/School.
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University.
• Apply knowledge to develop new intellectual understanding.
• Actively manage equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.

Person Specification

• Normally, a higher degree relevant to the research area (normally PhD) or equivalent qualifications.
• Extensive research experience and scholarship within subject specialism.
• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation.
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results.
• Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods.
• Extensive experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity.
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied.
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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.