CARES-Well Research Fellow

## Join a Groundbreaking Initiative to Enhance Healthcare Staff Wellbeing Are you an experienced research professional looking to make a significant impact on the wellbeing of healthcare staff? This 14-month fixed-term Research Fellow position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a vital national project, with the potential for future roles within the broader initiative. This role is ideal for those seeking to advance their career in health services research and contribute to tangible improvements in a critical sector. This exciting opportunity is a partnership project funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), dedicated to systematically improving the wellbeing of healthcare staff across the UK. The core mission is to create an environment where healthcare professionals can not only perform their demanding roles but also **thrive**. A key focus of this project is ensuring the inclusion of "seldom heard" voices, encompassing staff from racially minoritised groups, internationally recruited staff, disabled personnel, and non-clinical employees. **Advantages for Potential Candidates:** * **High-Impact Research:** Contribute directly to addressing the complex factors driving the NHS workforce crisis. Your work will be instrumental in identifying, implementing, and evaluating system-level interventions. * **Advanced Methodologies:** Gain practical experience in a mixed-methods realist approach, a sophisticated research design for understanding complex social interventions. If you have prior realist methodology experience, this is an excellent opportunity to further hone those skills. * **Collaborative Environment:** Work within a national team and a vibrant academic community. You will be part of the Workforce Organisation and Wellbeing (WOW) expert group at the University of Surrey, and engaged with the Care Under Pressure research initiative. * **Career Development:** This role provides substantial experience in large-scale research project management, primary and secondary data collection, and co-design methodologies, all under the strong supervision of an experienced research team. The potential for future roles within the project offers a pathway for sustained engagement. * **Commitment to Inclusion:** The University of Surrey and the School of Health Sciences are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This is reflected in their Silver Athena SWAN award, Stonewall Diversity Champion status, and Disability Confident employer accreditation. * **Flexibility:** Applications for both full-time and part-time roles will be considered, offering a degree of flexibility to accommodate your personal circumstances. **Key Considerations for Your Career Path:** * **Experience Level:** This role is best suited for a post-doctoral researcher with proven mixed-methods research skills. Experience with realist methodology is highly desirable, so candidates with this background will have a distinct advantage. * **Project Management Prowess:** Excellent project management and organisational skills are essential. You will be responsible for the smooth running of a large-scale national research project, requiring strong leadership and attention to detail. * **Co-design and Stakeholder Engagement:** The project heavily relies on co-design methods to ensure the priorities and interventions are developed in partnership with NHS staff. Your ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders will be crucial. * **Fixed-Term Nature:** While there is potential for future roles, this position is initially for a 14-month fixed term. Candidates should consider this in their long-term career planning. * **Research Community Integration:** Actively engaging with the WOW expert group and the wider research community at the University of Surrey will be key to maximizing the benefits of this role and fostering professional connections. This Research Fellow position represents a significant opportunity to contribute to a national priority, enhance your research expertise, and be part of a supportive and forward-thinking academic institution. We encourage all qualified candidates who are passionate about improving the lives of healthcare professionals to explore this rewarding opportunity.