Research Fellow - Research on Research (RoR) team

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 social care research in England.

NIHR is the largest funder of applied health and social care research in the UK with NETSCC as one of its centres responsible for running six major funding programmes. We fund up to £160 million 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 relevant 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.

The successful applicant will be expected to publish in the appropriate peer reviewed journals, produce short reports for internal use, and present findings at relevant national and international conferences and within NIHR with key stakeholders. In joining the team, you will integrate with the vibrant academic communities at the University of Southampton and beyond.

You will ideally have:

• PhD or equivalent professional qualification in a scientific, medical or health related subject,
• Proven experience of working in a team contributing to mixed method research projects, with a specialism in either qualitative or quantitative research methods,
• A track record of peer reviewed publications and experience in presenting their work to both academic and non-academic audiences,
• Strong written and verbal communication skills,
• Experience of doing independent research within a small multidisciplinary team.

While we are ideally recruiting a full-time post we do invite applications from those seeking part-time work (minimum 0.7FTE). Please also note that NETSCC does support flexible working patterns provided that they satisfy the business need of the organisation. The Wessex Institute is committed to equal opportunities and gender balance in the workplace; and 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. We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

For an informal chat about this post, please contact: Amanda Blatch-Jones, A.J.Blatch-Jones@southampton.ac.uk or amanda.blatch-jones@nihr.ac.uk or 023 8059 5647.

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 six research funding programmes on behalf of the NIHR, and is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care.

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.

Application Procedure

You should submit your completed online application form. 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 1143719VB on all correspondence.

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.

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.