Research Fellow

Position Summary:

The National Rehabilitation University Hospital (NRH), Ireland is advancing a new Learning Health System (LHS) through the INSPIRE project. The project conducts research grounded in the lived experiences of clinical teams, service users, volunteers, and patient/representative groups (stakeholders). Research is organised across four workstreams:

• Staff Experience & Leadership: Identify enablers and barriers to LHS adoption.
• Patient Experience: Use citizen science and real-time tools to capture patient insights.
• Volunteer Experience: Optimise volunteer roles in integrated care delivery.
• Data Quality & Audit: Improve the use and predictive analysis of clinical outcomes.

The role involves team leadership, coordinating a research-active team and delivering a complex portfolio of local, national, and European research projects supporting the LHS implementation at NRH. Lead engagements for embedded researchers and coordinate collaboration with clinical and professional staff across hospital departments and patient representative groups. Engage in collaborative work with European and international consortiums, supporting enterprise activities in line with university strategy, policies, and funding requirements.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage and conduct a defined research and scholarship programme within the broader research project.
• Disseminate research outcomes through high-quality, peer-reviewed international publications.
• Lead the development of the research programme and pursue appropriate external funding opportunities.
• Actively participate in the wider research and scholarly activities of the School, Institute, and University.
• Co-supervise graduate research students when appointed by the University.
• Mentor and support students and early-stage researchers within the research group, School, and Institute.
• Manage administrative and operational tasks related to the research programme.
• Undertake required training and professional development as directed by the School, Institute, University, or Principal Investigator.
• Contribute to teaching and teaching support as assigned by the Head of School under the guidance of tenured academic staff.

Selection Criteria: 

Mandatory:

• PhD in healthcare or a related discipline, with significant post-qualification research experience.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary research projects (3+ years), including facilitation of national and international consortia and external advisory boards.
• Experience in research leadership and project management, including leading research peer engagements, developing innovative research designs, managing large-scale projects (budgets €5M+), and delivering work packages, reporting, impact activities, and post-project exploitation routes.
• Strong methodological expertise, including qualitative and quantitative research designs and tools supporting clinical team engagement and organisational service delivery.
• Track record of high-quality publications or innovation outputs and experience supervising or mentoring students. 

Desirable:

• Experience using research project management platforms in academia and industry.
• Project management experience in National/European Commission health programmes with international consortia and industry partners.
• Experience measuring and reporting research impact and implementing dissemination strategies for diverse audiences (e.g., conferences, seminars).
• Enterprise and commercialisation outputs (e.g., patents, prototypes) and post-project exploitation strategies.
• Experience collaborating with government agencies and international service providers in health policy and practice.
• Attainment of independent funding through competitive, peer-reviewed processes.

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