Research Fellow – Public Involvement and Impact

FTE: 1.0 FTE (working 37 hours per week) or 0.8 FTE (on request)

Duration of Contract: Fixed term to 31/03/2028

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

Location: College Lane Campus, Hatfield

The Research Fellow will be part of a dynamic public involvement and engagement in health and care research team, within the Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care (CRIPACC). Our PPIE research focuses on four main areas:

• Inclusive involvement in research
• Involvement with children and young people
• Involvement with older people
• Involvement with under-served communities

The Research Fellow  will work collaboratively with leading academics, service users, carers and members of the public, engaging and involving diverse communities, including those who are often under-represented in research. With a specific focus on research impact, the post holder will be central to improving the evidence base of public involvement, including feedback and evaluating impact.

The appointee will be based within the Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care (CRIPACC), University of Hertfordshire. Travel across the East of England and collaboration with other Universities, health and care organisations and community organisations, will be expected. 

Main duties and responsibilities

The person appointed will work closely with colleagues at the University of Hertfordshire, to build capacity and develop the evidence base on the role of patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in developing the impact of research. You will lead on the development of internal and external research-informed resources around public involvement, impact and engagement, in collaboration with members of the public, including CRIPACC’s PPIE groups – the Public Involvement in Research Group (PIRg) and Young People’s Research Advisory Group (Herts YPAG).  

Skills and experience required

Candidates are expected to be organised, responsible, capable of using their own initiative, and able to work well in a team.  Where required, training and supervision will be given. Candidates must have demonstrable research experience at postgraduate level in areas relevant to public involvement, research impact and engagement activities. Additional experience and knowledge to provide expert advice and hands-on support for researchers, including doctoral students, on best practice in PPIE for impact in research design and delivery, is welcome.

Qualifications required

An undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent in a relevant discipline) A PhD in a relevant discipline.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria, click the 'Apply' button above. 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: Julia Jones, Professor of Public Involvement and Health, j.jones26@herts.ac.uk

Closing Date: 20 May 2026

Interview Date: 25 June 2026 (in person)

Advert information