An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Fellow to join the Peninsula Medical School within the Faculty of Health, supporting the work of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South West (ARC South West).
For more information on Peninsula Medical School please visit our dedicated webpage at
This role offers the chance to shape research that improves children and young people’s health while tackling the social, behavioural, and environmental drivers of health. You’ll be part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team committed to delivering research that is inclusive, co-produced, and grounded in real-world impact.
You will play a central role in advancing high quality, applied research across themes, including:
• Children & Young People’s Health – focusing on life course approaches, inequalities, psychosocial interventions, assistive technology, and inclusive care pathways
• Prevention – addressing upstream drivers such as poverty, inequality, violence prevention, social prescribing, and cardio-metabolic health
You’ll lead and contribute to mixed-methods research across all stages—from design and data collection to analysis, publication, and dissemination—while helping translate findings into practice and policy.
Key Responsibilities:
• Lead and contribute to high-quality mixed-methods research projects
• Design, deliver, analyse, and disseminate research outputs
• Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences
• Support and develop funding applications
• Translate research insights into real-world impact
• Collaborate with academic, clinical, and third-sector partners
• Contribute to building a strong and independent research profile
What we are looking for:
• A PhD (or equivalent) in health services research or a related field (e.g. psychology, sociology)
• Strong understanding of UK health services and/or social care research
• Experience in mixed-methods research
• A growing track record of publications and funding applications
• Experience managing or contributing to research projects
• A commitment to collaborative, impactful, and inclusive research
Based within the Community and Primary Care Research Centre (CPCRC) at Plymouth Science Park, you will join a supportive and forward-thinking academic community.
You will need to be on site 1 day a week, although we can accommodate working from home for this role, flexibility to be on-site will be expected due to business needs.
This is a full-time position 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.
Due to the nature of this role, a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service Check will be required.
For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.
For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact Dr Nick Axford: by email at or Kerryn Husk at
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.
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.
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
• Pension scheme (with potential NHS pension eligibility)
• 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 .
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