Job Purpose

We are seeking to appoint two researchers (one full time and one part time) to the PHIRST Fusion team to make a leading contribution to planning and conducting evaluations of local authority-led public health interventions.

PHIRST Fusion is a collaboration between the Universities of Glasgow, Northumbria, Newcastle, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Queens University Belfast and Glasgow Caledonian University. The posts are being advertised by the University of Glasgow but may be held at another of the partner institutions, in which case that institution's terms and conditions will apply.

PHIRST Fusion is one of ten Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Teams funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR). PHIRST teams conduct evaluations of interventions proposed by local authorities and screened for eligibility by NIHR.

Successful candidates will have experience of evaluation research using qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods and of working closely with stakeholders to plan and conduct evaluation studies.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the PHIRST Fusion leads

1. Support the development and implementation of PHIRST Fusion evaluation studies, taking a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables

2. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the evaluation of local authority-led interventions, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy to deliver project/area requirements and opportunities.

3.Develop and maintain good working relationships with PHIRST Fusion colleagues, collaborating organisations and research partners, including members of the public.

4.Document research output, including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and research protocols/findings papers as appropriate.

5. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of PHIRST Fusion and its host institutions, including leading and contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

6.Present work at conferences, internal and external seminars, research and stakeholder workshops.

7.Perform administrative tasks related to delivery of projects, including responsibility for relevant elements of the project budget and expenditure.

8.Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research and impact.

9. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across PHIRST teams, and host institution and wider community (e.g. academic and local authority partners).

10.Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and wider research group/area activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the PHIRST network and its partner institutions.

11.Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

12.Contribute to teaching and training activities as assigned by PHIRST Fusion senior management group and undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the PHIRST Fusion senior management group.

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.

A2 Developing track record of research outputs compatible with enhancing the host organisation’s research profile in accordance with its research objectives

Skills

Essential

C1 Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of approaches to evaluation of public health interventions

C2 Knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, including primary data gathering and analysis, and/or statistical methods for analysing routinely collected data

C3 Knowledge of approaches to engaging stakeholders in the planning, conduct and reporting of evaluation studies

C4 Skills in using specialist qualitative and/or quantitative analysis software (e.g. NVIVO, R)

C5 Excellent communication skills, oral and written, including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely to specialist and non -specialist audiences

C6 Excellent interpersonal skills including teamwork and a collegiate approach

C7 Workload/time/project/budget management skills

C8 IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate

C9 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

C10 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

C11 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives, design, conduct and analysis of study elements and drafting of papers

Desirable

D1 Commitment to open research through open data, code and other practices that support replication.

D2 Knowledge of UK public health policy and the role of local authorities

Experience Essential

E1 Sufficient relevant research experience [or equivalent] appropriate to an early career researcher

E2 Experience of qualitative and/or quantitative data gathering and analysis

E3 Experience of scientific writing and an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field

E4 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

E5 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities

Desirable 

F1 Experience of applying for ethical and information governance approvals

F2 Experience of conducting evaluability assessments

Further information

PHIRST Fusion is a collaboration between the Universities of Glasgow, Northumbria, Newcastle, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Queens University Belfast and Glasgow Caledonian University. The posts are being advertised by the University of Glasgow but may be held at another of the seven partner institutions. The team is funded for five years (2025-2030) by the NIHR Public Health Research Programme and is expected to conduct up to ten evaluation studies. Each study will focus on an intervention proposed as a candidate for evaluation by a local authority (which may be anywhere in the UK) and screened by NIHR before being assigned to one of the ten PHIRST teams. Within PHIRST Fusion, one partner will lead each evaluation, aiming for an even distribution of work over the funding period. PHIRST Fusion researchers will be supported by a project manager, administrator and a knowledge exchange specialist, and will work closely with stakeholders to design, conduct and report evaluations in ways that are most useful for local authority decision making, while also being scientifically rigorous.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Peter Craig, Peter.Craig@glasgow.ac.uk

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum, pro rata.

There is one full time position available and one part time (0.5 fte).Please note in your cover letter if you have a preference. Both positions have funding for up to 5 years. 

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that the full time post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

For University of Glasgow employees :

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing date : 28 August 2025 @23:45