Research Assistant/Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Research 5 (Research Assistant): £33,002 - £35,608

Research 7 (Research Associate*) £37,694 - £46,049

(Full-time or part time considered at min 0.8 FTE)

The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute (THIS) Institute seeks a talented early career researcher to support an exciting programme of work on innovation and improvement in healthcare. The successful candidate will initially work on projects using online participatory communities to co-design and evaluate innovations to improve care, including both new technologies (e.g. AI) and service changes (e.g. use of neighbourhood models).

You will be educated to Masters* or PhD* level and will have a strong background in qualitative research or mixed methods research relevant to the study of healthcare improvement and innovation. You will have the ability to read, critique and synthesise relevant literature, to plan and conduct primary research to a high standard, and to engage with many stakeholders and collaborators in co-design, while working at pace. You will be capable of preparing research protocols, project reports and manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals and will have strong skills in teamwork.

The preferred candidate will require a DBS and Research Passport which will be applied for once an offer has been accepted.

Applications should include:

• A covering letter explaining the reasons for your application and how your knowledge, skills and experience match the requirements of the role.
• A curriculum vitae (CV), to include full details of educational qualifications and academic experience, and a list of publications and funding where appropriate.
• A recent dated sole-authored writing sample of around 1000-2000 words, which may be an extract from a longer piece. You must confirm in your covering letter that the sample has been written solely by you, has not been edited or copy-edited by anyone else, and has been written entirely without the use of AI.
• Details of three referees.

*Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of their PhD. For appointment at Research Assistant level, applicants should have a Masters degree or equivalent experience.

The funds for this post are available until 31 December 2027 in the first instance.

The post will be based at Strangeways Research Laboratory, Worts Causeway, Cambridge CB1 8RN (approximately 2.5 miles south of the city centre).

Informal inquiries may be directed to Dr Zoe Fritz via email phpc.hr@medschl.cam.ac.uk

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above. 

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Closing Date: Midnight 19 July 2026

Interview Date: week commencing 27th July 2026

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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