Research Fellow - Research on Research

We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a Research Fellow to join our Research on Research (RoR) team.  RoR undertakes both qualitative and quantitative research projects gathering evidence to support the continuous improvement of research management activity that underpins the National Institute for Health Research’s (NIHR) funding of health and care research in England.

NIHR is the largest funder of applied health and care research in the UK with NETSCC as one of its centres responsible for running six major funding programmes.  We fund up to £160million of research each year.  It is essential that our research management processes enhance our ability to support the delivery of research outcomes that matter to patients and the public.  RoR addresses questions that aim to understand and improve the management of research for the benefit of the NIHR and the wider research community in the UK and beyond.  Our work is focussed on areas of research earmarked as being of highest relevance to NETSCC’s business strategy, areas that are reviewed and refreshed as appropriate.

RoR is part of the wider analysis of our funded research aiming to improve portfolio insight and to understand the impact of the research that we fund. The successful applicant will contribute to building a better understanding of the ‘science of science’ and how research benefits society. 

In joining the team, you will be expected to publish in appropriate peer reviewed journals, produce short reports for internal use, and to present your findings to key stakeholders within NIHR and at relevant national and international conferences.  As a Research Fellow, you will integrate with the vibrant academic communities at the University of Southampton and beyond, and over time we anticipate there will be opportunities to apply for external funding to further develop our work in this field.

You will ideally have -

While we are recruiting a full time post we do invite applications from those seeking part time work (minimum 0.6FTE).  Please also note that NETSCC does support flexible working patterns provided that they satisfy the business need of the organisation.

For an informal chat about this post, please contact: Dr Sarah Thomas, S.Thomas@soton.ac.uk; 02380 599094

The University of Southampton is an institution in the top one per cent of world universities and has an international reputation for research, teaching and enterprise activities. The University offers excellent benefits including generous holidays, flexible working arrangements and the opportunity to develop your career in a professional and friendly working environment.

The Wessex Institute is a large enterprise unit within the University of Southampton situated at the University of Southampton’s Science Park, Chilworth. The Institute is focused on providing high-quality, practice-based research evidence to support decision makers in health and social care. We offer a broad range of scientific and clinical expertise in added-value health research, research management and in health technology assessment. Our teams also comprise health research administrators, specialists in information management, finance, contracting, public and patient involvement and communications.

The Wessex institute is home to the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre (NETSCC), which was established in 2008. NETSCC runs five research funding programmes on behalf of the NIHR, and is funded by the Department of Health.

You will be joining a vibrant institute, within the University’s faculty of Medicine and  dedicated staff teams focused on making a difference to patients and the public and providing research evidence to meet the needs of decision makers in health and social care.

Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

The Faculty of Medicine holds an Athena SWAN Silver Award demonstrating commitment to equal opportunities and gender balance in the workplace.  The Faculty recognises that applicants may seek flexible working patterns which will be considered as part of the recruitment process.  For further information including key benefits designed to help maintain and support employees' well-being and work-life balance, please see our working with us website pages.

The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Elsa Samwell (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 2507. Please quote reference 975318VB on all correspondence.

We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Please note that applications from agencies will not be accepted unless indicated in the job advert.