Salary
The starting salary will be from £34,610 up to £39,906 on Grade E, depending on qualifications and experience.
Contractual hours
36.5
Package
Generous holiday allowances, flexible working, pension scheme and relocation package (if applicable).
Job category/type
Research
Date posted
10/09/2025
Job reference
Q07903
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate. This NIHR funded post is available from the 1/12/25 to the 30/9/2027.
We welcome applications from candidates interested in working part-time hours or job-sharing arrangements.
The post
The PROSPER programme is a physiotherapist delivered rehabilitation programme for patients following breast cancer that has been shown to be both clinically and cost-effective in a large NIHR funded Trail. To improve access by patients to the PROSPER programme and optimise implementation of the programme, we are developing and evaluating a digital version of the PROSPER programme (Digital PROSPER).
The successful application will undertake the planned research related to the development and evaluation of Digital PROSPER.
The post will include:
1. Literature review
Undertake a mixed methods systematic literature review to estimate the effectiveness of all types of digital rehabilitation interventions following breast cancer treatment and identify intervention components associated with effective interventions. We will review the broader literature including clinical guidelines regarding prehabilitation.
1. Co-design
Undertake co-design with our working group of patients and clinicians to develop the digital application.
1. Usability testing
Undertake usability testing of the prototype versions of digital PROSPER with up to 20 patients to produce the near final products.
About you
The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.
Applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or nearing completion) or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be able to complete a mixed methods systematic review, lead the co-design of the development of a digital health intervention and undertake usability testing.
Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.
What we can offer you
* Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
* Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
* An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
* Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career
* A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy
* A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon
The University of Exeter
We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.
Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world's most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99 percent
of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).
We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment
We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.
Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.
With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.
We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.
Further information
For further information please contact Dr Esther Williamson, Senior Research Fellow, email
The closing date for completed applications is 8th October 2025.