"Research Assistant/Research Associate (Fixed Term)"

This exciting twelve-month post is ideal for an enthusiastic and motivated individual who is keen to develop their research expertise in end-of-life care and healthcare system design. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated colleague to work with Dr Ben Bowers, Assistant Professor of Primary Care and Nurse Consultant in Palliative Care, and colleagues. The post-holder will lead and deliver two complementary research projects: 1) A mixed-methods analysis exploring access to controlled drugs (CDs) for end-of-life care in UK care homes; 2) A systematic literature review of published research on the co-design of community palliative care services with service users and providers.

We are looking for someone with mixed-methods/qualitative research skills and experience, and knowledge of health systems design (engineering design), inclusive design or the current landscape of UK palliative and end of life care, primary care and health and social care. A good understanding of care home based care would also be advantageous. The post-holder will be a member of PELiCam, a friendly, dynamic and inclusive leading Palliative and End of Life Care Research Group. Funded by Marie Curie and Wellcome Trust, the post-holder will work with nationally and internationally leading colleagues from pharmacy, social science, engineering design, healthcare policy and patient safety disciplines, to deliver insightful high-quality research. They will have access to a community of researchers and be supported to advance their expertise and competences in this exciting interdisciplinary field.

The ideal candidate will have a Masters or PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline and experience of working in a research environment. They will have practical experience of using SPSS Statistics or similar statistical software and mixed-methods or qualitative research methods. They will be skilled in working collaboratively as part of a team, planning and prioritising their workload, communicating with members of the public, healthcare professionals and research colleagues, presenting research to diverse audiences and leading the writing of journal papers. The successful applicant will require a DBS check which will be applied for once an offer has been accepted.

The funds for this post are available for 12 months from commencement in post. This is part-time 80% (29.5 days per week) spread over 4 days. We would also consider applications of no less than 60% FTE per week. The post will be based in the Primary Care Unit, East Forvie Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0SR (approx. 2 miles south of city centre). The post-holder will need to work in the Department at least two days per week.

We welcome informal conversations concerning this post: please contact Dr Ben Bowers at bb527@cam.ac.uk to arrange a conversation. Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. This appointment also requires a Research Passport application. Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online. Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD. Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,610) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award. 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. Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager. Closing date: 9th November 2025. Interview date: 19th, 20th or 25th November 2025. Please quote reference SN47675 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.