Research Fellow (WHISPA)

WHISPA - Workplace Health & Wellbeing Initiatives that are free at the point of use to workplaces)

FTE: 1 FTE (Working 37 hours per week)

Duration of Contract: Fixed Term (24 months)

Salary: UH7 £38,784 pa to £46,049 pa by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience

Annual Leave: 35 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: College Lane, Hatfield (flexible)

Main duties & responsibilities

The postholder will support the Chief Investigator and the wider WHISPA research team to deliver robust, high-quality research. Duties include, but are not limited to: undertaking research within the scope of the project; establishing a programme of research activity working collaboratively with colleagues at UH and partner organisations; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a range of project partners, including small businesses, local government, health partners, service users, and community and voluntary sector (CVS) organisations; writing high quality research outputs; disseminating the outcomes of the project in publications, at conferences and through other appropriate media.

This role requires willingness to travel within England.

Skills and experience needed 

The successful candidate must have demonstrable knowledge and understanding of relevant qualitative research methodologies, including methods for data collection, coding, and analysis. You must have experience of working in a research environment, with research experience in a relevant subject area (e.g., public health, psychology, employment and training, wellbeing) including, as appropriate, collaborative partnerships with other HEI’s or external partners. Excellent oral and written communication skills, together with strong interpersonal and presentation abilities, are essential. Experience of managing or coordinating research projects is essential for this role. Effective public engagement and involvement would be advantageous.

In addition, you will be able to work independently and autonomously and manage your own workload with minimal supervision, whilst working effectively in a team with a can-do attitude to problem solving.

Qualifications required

You will hold a degree or equivalent level 6 qualification in a relevant discipline, and a PhD or equivalent level 8 qualification (or relevant equivalent experience). Relevant disciplines include the clinical, health, social and behavioural sciences. 

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

Internal applicants – please ensure you apply via your employee self-service portal.

An appointment to this role may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

Please note, this post cannot be visa sponsored unless you can evidence a PhD / Doctorate.

Contact Details: Informal enquiries to Nigel Lloyd n.lloyd2@herts.ac.uk

Closing Date: 05 March 2026

Interview Date: 18 March 2026 

Our vision is to transform lives: UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts 

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