Senior Research Fellow AF)

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Global Musculoskeletal Health Group in the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre (MRC LEC), University of Southampton. The post-holder will work in an MRC-funded project, MUFASSA (Musculoskeletal Functional Ability in sub-Saharan Africa) which aims to determine the epidemiology, and associated clinical, nutrition and lifestyle-related factors of physical function and sarcopenia in older African adults. MUFASSA is a sub-programme of the Fractures in Sub-Saharan Africa: epidemiology, economic impact and ethnography (Fractures-E3) programme of work.   Fractures-E3 is a multi-site programme of work in The Gambia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The programme has collected a community-sample of adults aged 40 years and over across 5 sites and has collected extensive musculoskeletal phenotyping, as well as assessment of sociodemographic factors, nutrition, metabolomics, physical activity and activities of daily living.

The job will provide experience of a large, multi-work package programme of multidisciplinary work focussing on the ageing population in sub-Saharan Africa. A PhD is essential, and the successful applicant will have demonstrated a strong track record in epidemiology/ health-related discipline, including an honours degree, excellent interpersonal and organisational skills, and the ability to work successfully as part of a close-knit team. Ideally they would have a track-record of publishing peer-review articles as first author. In return, we offer the chance to work within a committed international multidisciplinary team delivering research that will benefit adult populations living in Africa.  The successful applicant will be expected to develop an area of personal research interest and to travel to the research sites, particularly The Gambia, where Prof Ward’s group is also based. Career development training will be provided through the University of Southampton.

This post is offered on a full time, fixed term basis, starting as soon as possible. The appointment is until 30/04/2027 subject to successful completion of progression milestones. For more information or an informal visit/ meeting, please contact Prof Kate Ward; kw@mrc.soton.ac.uk

Closing Date: 15 May 2025

Section: Education, Research & Enterprise

Salary: £45,413 to £57,422 per annum Full Time Fixed Term until 30/04/2027