Research Assistant (Fixed term) (MED reference: MED171525

The purpose of this role will be to assist and support the evaluation of a wide range of public health schemes/programmes that are happening in local government across the UK, through an NIHR funded collaboration. The post-holder will also have responsibility for engaging other stakeholders in the project (e.g. members of the public) to support project delivery as well as inputting to project impact strategies. 

The University of Nottingham is leading a large programme grant ‘Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Team’, funded by the NIHR until 2027. PHIRST-LIGHT is a collaboration between the University of Nottingham, Loughborough University and the University of Lincoln. The aims of PHIRST-LIGHT are to provide timely and accessible evaluations of public health interventions to local authorities, improving efficacy of the interventions and enhancing local evidence.

You will join the PHIRST-LIGHT team, led by Prof Elizabeth Orton (University of Nottingham) and will support the design, collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data (such as semi-structured interviews and focus groups) both in-person and remotely. You will be expected to contribute to report writing for the local authority partners as well as publication write-up and will have the opportunity to use your initiative and creativity to support wider dissemination of findings. This role offers a novel opportunity to work across a range of public health topics.  Although you will be based at the University of Nottingham, you may be required to travel nationally to support data collection across local authority sites as well as to meetings at our partner universities. 

The person appointed will be expected to support the delivery of methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research and will assist with the write up of the research findings for publication.

The person appointed will have the opportunity to use their initiative and creativity to work in novel areas of research, develop their research skills and methods, and extend their research portfolio.

Further information is available in the role profile. To apply for this vacancy please click ‘Apply Now’ to complete your details.

Your working hours will be full time (36.25 hours per week). This role is available for 12 months, if the start date is delayed this role must end on 28 February 2027. If you are interested in part-time work (minimum 29 hours per week), we encourage you to apply. Please specify your preferred hours in your application. We may also consider job share arrangements. Requests for secondment from internal candidates may be considered on the basis that prior agreement has been sought from both your current line manager and the manager of your substantive post, if you are already undertaking a secondment role.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Holly Knight via email: holly.knight@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

Closing Date: 24 Jul 2025 Category: Research and Teaching (R&T)