Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate part-time at 0.5 FTE to support the work of Dr Emma Cockcroft and Dr Rosina Cross and join a multidisciplinary team evaluating and refining a national initiative that links GP surgeries with local parkrun events to promote physical activity among staff and patients. This post will support the day-to-day coordination and delivery of the project, working closely with academic staff, external partners, and stakeholders.

Key responsibilities will include coordinating and conducting in-depth qualitative interviews with staff from GP surgeries engaged in the parkrun practice initiative. The post-holder will synthesise insights from these interviews to identify barriers, enablers, and contextual factors influencing delivery. They will support the development and iterative refinement of interview topic guides, collaborate closely with patient and stakeholder advisory groups, and contribute to the analysis and interpretation of qualitative data.

The post-holder will also play a central role in co-developing practical recommendations and a framework for effective implementation, working with partners such as parkrun, the Royal College of General Practitioners, and patient representatives. They will support the creation and dissemination of accessible resources-such as infographics and summary reports-to ensure findings reach both academic and clinical audiences. Further responsibilities include coordinating participant recruitment, and managing data collection and consent processes.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an innovative, interdisciplinary project that combines research, stakeholder engagement, and real-world impact in primary care and public health, with the aim of refining and supporting the national parkrun practice initiative for broader adoption and improved population health outcome.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct semi-structured qualitative interviews with staff from GP surgeries that have successfully implemented the parkrun practice initiative and those facing challenges.
• Develop and refine interview topic guides.
• Analyse qualitative data
• Work collaboratively with patients and stakeholder advisory groups to ensure the research is inclusive and relevant.
• Contribute to the development of a framework and refined logic model for successful implementation of the parkrun practice initiative.
• Prepare and disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and resources tailored for GP surgeries and the public.
• Support the wider research team in project management and engagement with collaborators, including the Royal College of General Practitioners and parkrun.

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 be nearing completion) or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field such as public health, health psychology, primary care research, or behavioural science.  The successful applicant will be able to work independently and communicate and collaborate effectively with members of the project team, including academic staff, partners from the Royal college of general practice, parkrun, and other stakeholders. Applicants must have knowledge of 1) existing research on the development of complex behaviour change interventions and in the wider discipline of health services research and of associated research methods and techniques, 2) experience in qualitative interviewing and analysis skills and 3) evidence of prior related research activity, including development of regulatory body/ethical applications and published research

Please ensure you read the Job Description.

For further information please contact Dr Emma Cockcroft, e-mail e.j.cockcroft@exeter.ac.uk or telephone (01392) 722764.

The closing date for completed applications is 10/05/2025. Interviews are expected to take place soon after.

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