Job summary
- Main area
- Research
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 7
- Contract
- Fixed term: 11 months (Career break cover until 31/12/2026 regardless of start date.)
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 389-25-7534658
- Employer
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Royal Infirmary
- Town
- Bradford
- Salary
- £47,810 - £54,710 pa pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 06/11/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 20/11/2025
Employer heading
Senior Research Fellow (Qualitative Research) - till 31.12.26
NHS AfC: Band 7
Job overview
Closing Date: 6th November 2025
Shortlisting to take place in the week following closing date: commencing 7th November 2025
Interview expected to take place in the week following shortlisting: commencing 20th November 2025
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Research Fellow to lead the qualitative research components of a major longitudinal cohort study focused on older people with frailty, and in particular, those in final phase of life in historically underserved populations. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the qualitative strategy of an important research study that aims to improve our understanding on ways to support wellbeing in later life.
The successful candidate will play a central role in designing, implementing, and analysing qualitative research within the cohort, working closely with team members, study participants and their families, and health care professionals.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will take a lead in setting up and implementing qualitative research for the study. Duties will include:
• Co-ordinating applications for ethical and regulatory approvals
• Lead co-design workshops to refine study materials
• Collecting qualitative data (including conducting interviews) with older people and their family members in their homes
• Analysing qualitative data using grounded theory techniques
Other responsibilities may include public engagement activities, data management, co-ordinating the activity of another researcher, and providing regular progress reports.
The successful candidate will have a post-graduate degree or equivalent experience/qualification in a health, health/social care research, or social science related subject, have experience in project management, and considerable experience in undertaking and analysing qualitative research. Experience of conducting workshops to develop recommendations jointly with health care professionals and patients is desirable.
There is an expectation that the post holder will be prepared to work flexibly and travel as required for data collection and regional/national events.
We will be screening all applications for the use of AI, specific examples of experience are required.
We have the right to close the post early if there is excessive demand, therefore please consider submitting your application as soon as possible.
Working for our organisation
Our People Charter outlines the behaviours we can expect from one another and what you can expect from Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust:
- We value people
- We are one team
- We care
We’re keen to meet people who share these values and are passionate about delivering the highest quality of care to our patients.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
• Contribute to a national and internationally recognised programme of research, within a framework of health and social care research.
• Oversee management and implementation of the qualitative components of the project.
• Ensure that research governance procedures and data protection is adhered to at all times according to local and national guidance.
• Co-ordinating applications for ethical and regulatory approvals.
• Work with a range of research partners (older people, family members) to co-design data collection and recruitment methods.
• Conduct qualitative research, which is likely to include interviews with older adults and their family members.
• Analyse and synthesise data using qualitative methods.
• Facilitate patient and public involvement (PPI) to meet the needs of the project.
• Report project progress and results.
• Work as appropriate with colleagues in the University of Leeds and other collaborative partners.
• Manage workload to ensure that the research is completed within timescales.
• Contribute to resource and budget planning and assisting in management of project budgets.
• Where appropriate, line management responsibility for ASR staff e.g. Research Fellow.
• Provide training in specialty to support development of others.
• Disseminate research results through writing academic papers in high impact journals, and presenting at national and international conferences and meetings.
• Contribute to the development of new research proposals.
• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues in the ASR.
• Work with academic colleagues to take advantage of funding opportunities.
• Conduct other duties at a comparable level of responsibility, as agreed with the job holder.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of conducting qualitative data collection, including interviews
- Experience of analysing qualitative data
- Experience of research project management
- Relevant research experience in the field of ageing research / elderly care and/or disability.
- Experience of organising and conducting research in an NHS /academic or similar setting
- Experience of working with older people, informal carers / family members and professionals.
- Experience of effective multi-disciplinary team working
- Authoring peer-reviewed research publications
Desirable criteria
- Experience of co-designing research with patient and public (PPI) and/or people with lived experience.
- Experienced of working with ethnic minorities in the UK context
- Experience of using creative approaches in qualitative research
- Experience of analysing qualitative data using grounded theory
- Experience of working with older people entering the final phase of life
Skills
Essential criteria
- Facilitation skills and the ability to work with and co-ordinate the work of a range of research partners (PPI representatives, professionals and researchers)
- Ability to motivate and manage staff and implement best practice
- Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
- Well-developed written and verbal communication skills
Desirable criteria
- Ability to translate a research proposal into an actional plan
- Demonstrated facilitative and negotiating skills
- Successful grant applications
- Multilingual
- Car driver with access to own vehicle
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Understanding of what the NHS Constitution means to you, and your responsibilities to the public, patients and colleagues.
- Computer literate and knowledge of Microsoft Office software packages
- Knowledge of IRAS/HRA processes
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of specialist qualitative analysis software packages (e.g. NVivo)
Qualifications
Desirable criteria
- PhD
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dr Rebecca Hawkins
- Job title
- Associate Professor of Social Equity Research
- Email address
- [email protected]
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