Researcher in Public Health

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

The College of Health, Psychology and Social Care has a clear vision – to make a REAL difference to the lives of individuals, families and communities within our region. To be the University of choice for our Health and Social Care partners’ education needs across the region; and to provide an excellent student experience, delivered by highly credible and well qualified lecturers and researchers.

The school of Allied Health and Social Care sits within the College of Health, Psychology and Social Care. Our school embraces the professions associated with Occupational Therapy, Diagnostic Imaging and Social and Community Studies. We have a very experienced, knowledgeable and enthusiastic group of academics and professionals who work with students to ensure they have a positive experience as a student and prepare them for their chosen profession in the best possible way.

About the Role

We are seeking to appoint a Researcher in Public Health to lead a collaborative research programme in Derby and the wider Derbyshire area on the socioeconomic determinants of health inequalities and their impact on non-communicable diseases. Our strategic aim is to conduct excellent, multidisciplinary research at the intersection of two growing areas of public health priority.

The programme involves multisectoral collaboration with regional, national and international organisations. The example of the local stakeholders includes the University of Derby's School of Allied Health and Social Care, the Derbyshire NHS Integrated Care System, Derby City Local Authority, Derbyshire County Council, and Derbyshire Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise.

Our target populations include underserved populations living in poverty and minoritised groups facing issues related to substance misuse, mental health disorders, and homelessness. The collaboration aims to how socioeconomic factors such as access to health and social services, income levels, social deprivation, affordable housing, education, and environmental conditions influence non-communicable diseases prioritised in UK public health. Additionally, we will also examine behavioural factors such as gambling, alcohol, and drug addiction, as well as adverse childhood experiences. 

The successful candidate will have the freedom to develop the project with support from Professor Mzwandile Mabhala and other leading experts in public health. This role involves working within a collaborative team that includes both established and early-career researchers, as well as public health practitioners and policy leaders, on a regional, national, and international scale.

Day to day elements of the role include:

Engage in networking activities to make internal and external contacts develop knowledge, and form relationships for future research collaboration.  Identifying opportunities for "bonding networks" to enhance collaborative efforts in advancing the research and development agenda related to health inequalities and vulnerable groups.Developing capacity within the wider public health workforce, particularly in non-traditional public health organisations and roles not specifically identified as public health.Leading efforts to identify external funding opportunities and develop grant proposals involves conducting literature reviews, preparing research plans, and contributing to budget justifications.Preparing research manuscripts for publication in high-impact scientific journals and presenting findings at conferences and seminars.Contributing to departmental teaching activities, including supervising PhD and MSc students.

The anticipated interview date is Thursday 1st May 2025.

About You

To succeed in this role, you should have proven experience leading research on public health issues that affect vulnerable populations. A strong understanding of various research methodologies and techniques relevant to public health is essential. Additionally, you should have experience in conducting impactful research and developing innovative public health interventions specifically for underserved communities. 

You will be expected to collaborate across multiple disciplines to effectively address challenges related to population health. A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion is crucial, along with active efforts to confront potential biases.  Lastly, candidates should demonstrate the ability to work independently while consistently delivering high-quality results on time.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)Teacher’s 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 gymDiscounted access to Devonshire SpaCycle 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 Professor Mzwandile Mahala, Professor of Public Health via m.mabhala@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 is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£38,700 per annum).

If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:

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

Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.

For more information, visit our website.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.

Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.

Closing Date: 13 Apr 2025

Area: Teaching and Research

Salary: £29,179 to £44,128 per annum