Research Fellow – School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences – Grade 7
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
Salary: £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression to £48,822
Contract: Full time, Fixed term up to January 2029
Closing date: 4th November 2025
Position details: School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
Job description
Background: The University of Birmingham has secured funding from the Vivensa Foundation to deliver a three-year programme implementing the REtirement in ACTion (REACT) programme at scale across two Integrated Care Systems: Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) and North Central London (NCL).
Role summary
General responsibilities: The Research Fellow will play a pivotal role in driving programme delivery and managing the research components, including implementation, evaluation, and co‑production with a diverse range of stakeholders.
* Work within the REACT research project and contribute to writing bids for relevant studies
* Operate within area of specialism which may include exercise science, health behaviour science and/or implementation science
* Analyse and interpret research findings from mixed‑methods programme evaluation
* Contribute to generating funding and dissemination outputs
Specific duties: The post holder will contribute to the assessment of real‑world programme delivery and support the development of an Implementation Toolkit to facilitate national scale‑up.
* Work with delivery partners at two large sites to ensure the REACT programme is rolled out in a planned and timely manner, in accordance with the REACT protocol
* Oversee qualitative and quantitative data collection
* Support the development of the REACT Implementation Toolkit and contribute to public understanding of the discipline
* Collaborate with partners within the community and voluntary sector, local and regional authorities, and external research partners
* Attend and initiate project meetings, and collaborate with researchers from the REACT study across the full disciplinary spectrum
* Draw key recommendations for stakeholders and partners
Main duties
* Develop research objectives and proposals with assistance of a mentor if required
* Contribute to writing bids for research funding
* Analyse and interpret data (quantitative and qualitative for rapid implementation evaluation at study delivery sites)
* Apply knowledge to develop new intellectual understanding
* Help develop the REACT protocol and ethics application and prepare study documentation and measurement pack
* Help recruit, train and organise ad hoc data collectors
* Undertake management/administration arising from research activities across the BNSSG and NCL sites
* Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
* Collect, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data from a variety of research methods such as literature reviews, interviews, focus groups, fidelity assessments, rapid evaluations, surveys and systems mapping workshops
* Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters and participate in the full range of dissemination activities of the REACT project
* Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to postgraduate students where appropriate to the discipline
* Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods applying Implementation science and system mapping methodologies
* Undertake management/administration arising from research, including ensuring that the information and records processed (received, created, used, stored, destroyed) on behalf of the University are managed in compliance with ALL applicable legislation, codes and policies (e.g. Data Protection, Information Security and Records Management)
* Contribute to Departmental/School research‑related activities and research‑related administration
* Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
* Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
* Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
* Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
Person specification
* First degree (BA/BSc) in area of specialism and normally a higher degree (PhD or near completion) in relevant research area or equivalent qualifications (e.g. health services research/evaluation of health interventions, or behaviour change research)
* High level analytical capability, particularly with qualitative data
* Ability to communicate (orally and in writing) complex information clearly
* Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones (e.g. systems mapping, mixed‑methods data collection and analysis, implementation science methods, rapid evaluation of behaviour change interventions)
* Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
* Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes within the multi‑site REACT project
* Contribute to the planning and organising of the REACT project
* Co‑ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
* Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day‑to‑day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
* Knowledge of ageing, physical activity, or health behaviour interventions
* Strong stakeholder engagement and co‑production experience
* Experience in participatory action research and working with underserved communities
* Knowledge of implementation science frameworks (e.g. Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research)
Diversity statement
The University of Birmingham is committed to fostering a fair and inclusive place to work. We hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations and actively work to remove barriers experienced by underrepresented groups. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.
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