At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead qualitative research studies on autoimmune diseases and enhance patient engagement.
- Company: Join a leading research team at the University of Leeds.
- Benefits: Enjoy 42 days holiday, generous pension, and access to wellness facilities.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working options available with excellent professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while advancing your career in a top university.
- Qualifications: Experience in qualitative research and strong organisational skills required.
The predicted salary is between 41064 - 48822 £ per year.
This job is only available to University of Leeds staff. It may be released externally should we not appoint internally.
Do you have experience in undertaking qualitative research in autoimmune connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)? Do you have excellent organisational skills and attention to detail? Do you want to be part of a successful, highly talented and leading research team? Are you keen to expand knowledge into this field and work collaboratively across research themes? Do you want to further your career in one of the UK's leading research intensive Universities?
SLE is one of a group of connective tissue diseases characterised by inflammation in multiple organs, type I interferon activity, and autoantibodies, leading to poor quality of life. It is more severe in children and people of non-European ancestry groups. Current practice is to treat SLE with a series of conventional immunosuppressants combined with glucocorticoids (GC), but evidence for the sequence in which they should be used is weak. Under current clinical guidelines, if this approach fails, and people have moderate/severe SLE, a more effective biological therapy such as rituximab can be added to these agents later as usual care. This approach may not be optimal since SLE is most severe within the first 12 months of diagnosis, with the highest mortality, GC exposure and healthcare resource use.
Our current work aims to advance understanding on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of biological therapies given first-line or after failure of conventional immunosuppressants in people with moderate to severe SLE, as well as optimising outcome measures/treatment targets used in clinical trials and clinical practice. Since health outcome disparities exist in SLE, for this role, our work also aims to improve understanding and evaluate strategies to enhance recruitment of people from underserved groups, children and ethnic minorities into clinical trials. Qualitative research and patient public engagement are essential parts of this role. You will lead your own studies in this area, including methods development and clinical studies and contribute to the work of the research group as a whole.
Location: Chapel Allerton Hospital (with scope for hybrid working)
Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa. For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent
What we offer in return:
- 26 days holiday plus approx. 16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) - That's 42 days a year!
- Generous pension scheme options plus life assurance
- Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
- Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team, and self-development courses including languages, Creative Writing, Wellbeing Therapies and much more.
- Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.
- And much more!
To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: Professor Edward Vital, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine Tel: +44 (0)113 3438412, Email: e.m.j.vital@leeds.ac.uk
Faculty/Service: Faculty of Medicine & Health
School/Institute: Leeds Institute of Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal Medicine (LIRMM)
Category: Research
Grade: Grade 7
Salary: £41,064 to £48,822 per annum pro-rata
Working Time: 45% FTE - 16.87 hours per week
Post Type: Part Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term (Available for 15 months to complete a specific task or time limited work, including the need for specific expertise or additional resource for a project)
Release Date: Monday 14 September 2026
Closing Date: Monday 21 September 2026
Interview Date: Wednesday 30 September 2026
Research Fellow in Qualitative Methods in Leeds employer: University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant academic environment where innovation in teaching and research thrives. With generous holiday allowances, comprehensive health and wellbeing benefits, and extensive personal development opportunities, you will be supported in your professional journey while contributing to world-leading research in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Located in the heart of Leeds, the university fosters a collaborative culture that values academic leadership and encourages meaningful contributions to the field.
