We are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Research Fellow to join the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South-West within a leading academic environment.
You will contribute to high-quality, impactful research in dementia and neuroprogressive conditions, contributing to and taking responsibility for mixed-methods studies across design, delivery, analysis and dissemination. The role includes producing peer-reviewed outputs, supporting funding applications, and translating research into practice and policy.
Working collaboratively with academic, clinical and third-sector partners, you will join a supportive interdisciplinary team, and be supported to lead on publications and grant applications, and to take responsibility for work packages and projects.
About the role
You will support the delivery of high-quality, impactful research within the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South-West (ARC South-West), focusing on improving the lives of people living with dementia and neuroprogressive conditions. The role involves contributing to and taking responsibility for mixed-methods research across all stages, from design and data collection to analysis, publication, and dissemination, while supporting funding development and translating findings into practice and policy.
The Dementia and Neurological Conditions Theme seeks to:
- Enhance the capability of services to meet the needs of people with dementia or other neuroprogressive conditions and their family/unpaid carers from diagnosis to end-of-life.
- Improve the experience of living with dementia or another neuroprogressive condition in the South-West and nationally.
- Promote research inclusion, public understanding and inclusive communities.
You will collaborate with academic, clinical and third-sector partners to ensure research is inclusive, co-produced, and responsive to real-world needs. The role reports to Dr Nicolas Farina and is based within a supportive, interdisciplinary research environment that encourages the development of your research profile.
The purpose of this role is to:
- Contribute to and take responsibility for elements of mixed-methods research across ARC South-West projects, including study design, delivery, and analysis, and dissemination.
- Produce peer reviewed publications, support the development of funding applications, and help translate research findings into real world practice and policy.
- Plan, develop and carry out high quality individual and/or collaborative research (including with colleagues in other institutions) that aligns with the aims of Dementia and Neurological Conditions Theme
Key responsibilities of this role include:
Identify, and contribute to securing, future funding sources, support and engage in research methodologies that add to the knowledge/understanding of the subject area, regularly disseminate findings by taking the lead in preparing high quality publication materials for refereed journals, presenting results at conferences (including national and international), or exhibiting work at other appropriate events and represent the School/Faculty/University externally in relevant research committees.
For more information on Peninsula Medical School please visit our dedicated webpage at https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools
This full-time position involves working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis for 5 years due to funding. The expected start date of this position is 1 October 2026 and you will be based in the Community and Primary Care Research Centre (CPCRC) at Plymouth Science Park.
For this role, you will need to be at the CPRC offices one day a week. Although we can accommodate working from home at other times, flexibility will be expected. In person activities across the South-West region may include recruiting research participants, collecting data, facilitating or participating in community events, contributing to Participant and Patient Involvement and Engagement, visiting sites to meet with service providers, and participating in meetings and working with colleagues as part of the ARC team.
Due to the nature of this role, a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service Check will be required.
For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Dr Nicolas Farina or Prof Linda Clare: by email at [email protected] or [email protected]
For more information on Peninsula Medical School please visit our dedicated webpage at https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools
What we’re looking for
You should:
- Hold a PhD or equivalent international qualification in health services research or a closely related and relevant subject, and a first degree in health services/social care research or closely related subject (psychology, sociology etc.).
- Have experience of working directly with people living with with dementia or progressive neurological conditions.
- Have excellent knowledge of UK health services /social care research sufficient to enable innovation and new understanding in the field and skills in the application of mixed methods to health services research.
- Have a sustained peer reputation and growing national reputation in health services/social care research, be developing a track record of published research at the appropriate level, have a track record of grant applications and income at the appropriate level, experience of managing research projects and a track record of contributing to and/or developing collaborative research networks and presenting research findings at meetings and conferences.
We welcome applications from individuals with a background in complex care or person-centred care, as well as those with expertise in additional relevant areas.
For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.
About us
The Faculty of Health holds four Silver Athena Swan awards, which recognise our commitment to supporting gender equality within higher education.
The University of Plymouth has a strong interdisciplinary research ethos which is supported by our two strategic Research Institutes; the Marine Institute and the Sustainable Earth Institute. As a member of our academic community, you’ll be expected to contribute to our recognised research strengths. Working holistically across the University, you will be challenged to innovate, collaborate and deliver impactful research contributions as part of a systems thinking approach to addressing today’s global challenges.
Application Process
Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, skills and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.
Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.
Our Offer
Staff appointed within the Faculty of Health may be able to join the NHS pension scheme subject to eligibility criteria.
We have a wide range of staff benefits available to employees, depending on eligibility:
- Generous annual leave: 35 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays & Closure Days
- Generous pension scheme
- Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Development opportunities
- Enhanced family leave
- Flexible working
- Retailer discounts
- On-site nursery
A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed here.
Additional Information
The University of Plymouth is building an inclusive and equitable university where everyone feels represented, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is guided by the Inclusive Institutions Framework, a strategic and externally validated approach that embeds these principles across the entire institution. To find out more please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages
