Postdoctoral Research Associate

About the Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to an SPCR NIHR-funded project developing a user-centred digital health intervention to support people with type 2 diabetes experiencing diabetes distress.

You will lead a systematic scoping review to synthesise evidence on digital health engagement and diabetes distress and use this to inform the development and optimisation of the intervention. You will work closely with colleagues to translate user insights into design specifications, ensuring the intervention reflects user needs and is suitable for NHS integration.

You will also facilitate user testing activities (such as think-aloud interviews) and participate in co-design workshops, helping to refine the intervention based on real-time feedback from patients and healthcare professionals.

This is a unique opportunity to play a central role in digital health innovation, working at the intersection of research, technology, and real-world healthcare delivery.

About You
You will hold (or be close to completing) a PhD in a relevant field such as health sciences, public health, psychology, or digital health.

You will have strong experience in conducting systematic or scoping reviews, digital intervention development, and applying qualitative insights to inform healthcare innovation.

Experience with user-centred design approaches, user testing (e.g., think-aloud interviews, usability testing), or co-design methods is highly desirable.

You will be comfortable communicating with digital development teams, translating user needs into actionable design guidance, and working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

Familiarity with intervention development frameworks (such as the Person-Based Approach or 6SQuID) and a commitment to advancing health equity will be an advantage.

About the Project
Diabetes distress is a significant emotional and psychological burden for people living with type 2 diabetes, affecting their mental health, self-management, and long-term outcomes. Yet emotional support remains a neglected area, particularly for underserved communities.

This project will develop a culturally sensitive, accessible digital health intervention to address diabetes distress and promote emotional well-being, with a strong focus on ensuring equitable access and practical integration into NHS primary care services.

About Queen Mary
At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits
We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

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