Researcher in Clinical Exercise Science (Long COVID)

About the University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. 

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

We deliver world-class biomedical and clinical research that promotes and supports healthier living, ageing and wellbeing, while providing solutions to chronic conditions and global health challenges such as cancer, long Covid and pneumonia. As well as exploring performance, rehabilitation and recovery for patients. Through this we are growing our reputation of unlocking human potential.

Within our research clusters, we have an interdisciplinary team working across research fields to accelerate our innovative approach, which translates to real-world impact. We use our expertise to bring people and communities together and excite a lifelong passion for sport, exercise and health.

Our staff are actively involved in high quality research, undertaking influential studies that are breaking new ground in their disciplines. Our Physical Activity researchers have worked with national organisations including on the UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines, NICE Guidelines Moving Medicine and BASES. They have also linked with industry partners like Move More Derby, Active Derbyshire and Digibete.

On the Sports Performance side, the team have worked with governing bodies of elite sport including WADA, British Cycling, British Wheelchair Rugby, British Canoeing, the English, Welsh and Danish Football Associations, and My Energy Game. Our teams also work with several Professional Sports Teams such as Burton Albion FC, Leicester City FC, GB Cycling and Derbyshire County Cricket.

About the Role

We are seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated research to join an international award winning research team in Long COVID to a fixed-term post, for 36 months. As a team, we responded to the COVID-19 pandemic quickly to establish a programme of research that seeks to understand the mechanisms of Long COVID and progress the knowledge base towards the trialling of curative treatments. Our research is strongly underpinned by patient and public engagement which enriches all aspects of our research from design, delivery and even publication. The successful candidate will join a vibrant research team that has established a reputation for research excellence and contribute to the delivery of planned/ongoing projects and the conceptualisation and development of new ideas in Long COVID pathophysiology and/or the lived experience. The role will also include dissemination of research findings in reputable peer-reviewed academic journals and at research conferences. This is a research-only role but could include where appropriate supervision of undergraduate or postgraduate students. 

About You

The successful candidate will have completed (or close to completing) a PhD in the area of clinical exercise science, human physiology or clinical sciences (or something similar) and have a track record of research project delivery from in the above areas. Experience in academic dissemination via peer reviewed journals and academic conferences is also important to this role. If you have experience in writing and supporting external grant applications this is desirable but not essential, as training can be provided.    

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)Teachers Pension SchemeSuite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance ProgrammeAccess to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailersDiscounted onsite gymCycle to Work schemeA flexible working environmentA commitment to personal and professional development

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr Mark Faghy, Professor of Clinical Exercise Science via M.Faghy@Derby.ac.uk. 

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk

Important Information

This role may be eligible for sponsorship by the University.

The offered salary for this role is less than the going rate for the occupation and the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£38,700 per annum). Therefore you will only be eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker visa subject to your individual circumstances which must meet one of the following criteria set out by UKVI:

Your job is on the Immigration Skills ListYou’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional trainingYou have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your jobYou have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education You must also meet the English Language requirement.

Please note that the University will assess your individual eligibility for sponsorship at the shortlisting stage. 

For more information, visit our website.

Closing Date: 15 Jun 2025

Area: Teaching and Research

Salary: £29,179 to £44,128