Research Fellow

Type of Contract: Funding limited from 1 March 2026 - 31 March 2027

The Institute of Education in Healthcare and Medical Sciences, located within the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, is one of the UK’s leading centres for medical, medical sciences and dental education. The Institute launched the Centre of Healthcare Education Research and Innovation (CHERI) in May 2017. Led by Dr Anita Laidlaw, CHERI’s vision is to achieve a global reputation for academic excellence in healthcare education research, by supporting high-quality, important research focusing on relevant issues, and developing tomorrow’s researchers.

CHERI is host to the Scottish Widening Access to Medicine Research Network (SWAM-RN) which was founded here at University of Aberdeen by Prof Colin Lumsden and Dr Katie Gibson Smith.  Widening access, and participation (WA/WP), to medicine aims to promote participation in medicine amongst groups who are typically underrepresented.  The Scottish Government have made significant investment, and set ambitious targets, in relation to WA/WP to medicine.  It is critical however, if targets are to be met in relation to WA/WP to medicine, that research is developed strategically, and outputs shared quickly and timeously to explore how these students can be best supported to pursue their ambitions. 

Accordingly, we have established the Scottish Widening Access to Medicine Research Network (SWAM-RN), comprising a community of relevant partners (medical schools, along with NHS Education Scotland, third sector and Medical Schools Council) to support research and evaluation within Scotland. 

The overall purpose of this role is to support the research activity of the Scottish Widening Access to Medicine Research Network (SWAM-RN).  Dr Katie Gibson Smith will supervise the research activity which will initially involve a Scottish wide project to identify research gaps in this area.  Subsequent research projects will be driven from this initial activity however, it is anticipated that these will be both quantitative and qualitative in nature, and therefore we will be seeking a researcher with experience of using both these methodologies.

Salary will be at the appropriate point on the Grade 6 scale, £38,784 - £46,049 per annum and negotiable with placement according to qualifications and experience.

Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Katie Gibson Smith, Senior Lecturer (Kathrine.gibson.smith@abdn.ac.uk).

Prior to employment, the successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK.  This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route under the UKVI immigration rules but is dependent on factors specific to the candidate and if tradeable points can be used under the rules.

Information on other visa options is available at https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

Please do not hesitate to contact Grant Rae, HR Adviser (e-mail: grant.rae@abdn.ac.uk) for further information.

To apply online for this position click the 'Apply' button above.

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 27 January 2026

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