Research Fellow - Department of Applied Health Sciences - 107775 - Grade 7

Position Details

Department of Applied Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

Department of Applied Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

Location:

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to July 2028

Closing date: 26th August 2026

UK travel may be required for this role

This multidisciplinary project is based on a multi-method design, focusing on the experiences of children, adolescents and their immediate caregivers who are participating in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) screening initiatives in Europe and the UK; and is an ancillary study to the EDENT1FI programme (European action for Diagnosis of Early Non-clinical Type 1 diabetes For disease Interception) ( https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). ). The research fellow is sought to support the UK component which is linked to the existing T1D screening program scaled up nationally by the Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham.

Screening is being considered as an appropriate health intervention, which identifies the disease pre-symptomatically and provides guidance on managing the early stages of T1D.

Although there is a recognised need to address the psychological experiences of those undergoing screening, much of the work has been with parents; we know much less about the children and adolescents who are being screened. This project’s primary research design utilises mixed methods with quantitative surveys and qualitative methodology focused on creative, interactive and age-appropriate methods of investigating experiences of the screening.

The qualitative element of the study, including interviewing and ethnographic play-based activities, is central to achieving an in-depth insight into children’s experiences.

The research fellow will work closely with Dr Olga Boiko (Applied Health Sciences) at the University of Birmingham in collaboration with the international research team of clinicians, psychologist and sociologists as well as researchers from Poland and Portugal who will also undertake data collection in their respective centres. This is an opportunity to join a vibrant multidisciplinary project which is aiming to deliver high quality research in paediatric public health that will lead to identifying support for those with early T1D diagnosis.

• Recruitment of participants and co-ordinating recruitment activities
• Data collection (family engagement, interviews, play-based activities, questionnaires)
• Overseeing and checking transcription of interviews
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Patient and public involvement
• Co-ordinate advisory group meetings and oversee minute taking/meeting record keeping
• Draft and dissemination study outputs and contribute to impact activities
• Collaborate with the wider research team to ensure the project objectives are met
• Contribute to generating funding

• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as ethnography, play-based activities, research interviews and validated questionnaires, both in-person and virtually
• Analyse and interpret data using qualitative analysis methods
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Contribute to research-related administration
• Contribute to public engagement activities related to the project, under supervision of the principal investigator
• Develop impact toolkits and present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Flexible/hybrid working pattern can…