Research Assistant

Location: Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant, to work with a team working with Dr Rachel Pechey on a research programme testing interventions to encourage healthier and more sustainable food purchasing and consumption.

The post is embedded in the thriving Health Behaviours Team in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences (NDPCHS). The team work on interventions to prevent or treat ill-health by intervening on diet, obesity, and smoking. We have a strong track record of applied research that can benefit patients and lead to changes in the health system.

NDPCHS research is led by internationally renowned scientists, many of whom are practicing GPs and primary care clinicians or public health physicians, together with academics from a range of other disciplines including behavioural and social sciences, and humanities. Our research covers the broad range of issues that you might expect to address in the community, including cardiovascular and metabolic disease, cancer, infectious diseases and childhood illnesses, obesity, poor diet and smoking. We focus on understanding and improving the experiences of patients, rigorously evaluating the effectiveness of treatments and diagnostics, utilising big data, developing digital health interventions and working internationally. We have methodological expertise in clinical trial design and implementation, clinical decision making and diagnostics, epidemiology, medical statistics, behavioural science, modelling, qualitative research and the wider application of social science theory and methods to address practical and theoretical challenges in health and care settings.

The successful applicant will be part of a group working to test the impact of interventions to encourage healthier and more sustainable food purchasing and consumption, conducted in online studies and field trials. The postholder would support colleagues with quantitative data collection, analysis, and write-up, as well as administrative tasks.

You will have a relevant master’s degree (or be close to completion), along with some specialist knowledge in nutrition, psychology, epidemiology or behavioural sciences, and strong quantitative skills. You will also need to be able to manage your own research and administrative activities, and have excellent communication and teamwork skills.

You will be based in the Radcliffe Primary Care Building or Gibson Building of the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Radcliffe Primary Care Building, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG as your normal place of work but there may be the opportunity for occasional remote working.

The position is full-time and fixed-term for 12 months.

For further information or to discuss the post please contact Rachel Pechey: rachel.pechey@phc.ox.ac.uk.

“Committed to equality and valuing diversity”

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online (via the ‘Apply’ button above) and you will be required to upload a CV and Supporting Statement as part of your online application. The Supporting Statement should include a cover letter and should also clearly describe how you meet each of the selection criteria listed in the job description. Click here for information and advice on writing an effective Supporting Statement. Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your application.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday 27 February 2026.

Interviews are expected to be held during the week commencing 23 March 2026.

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