Every 16 seconds a family suffers from a stillbirth, and the rate of unexplained stillbirth is trending upward. Stillbirth often occurs because of an issue with the amount of oxygen that the developing fetus receives. However, the combination of drivers in each case is unique, and current technologies for predicting stillbirth do not take into account the interactions between the mother, fetus, and placenta when determining risk. As such, prediction of stillbirth falls short. Our team has…
developed a new way to integrate clinical data to predict how much oxygen is available to a fetus in pregnancy; this tool is called SADIE. Early testing shows the capabilities of SADIE are promising. This research fits within wider product development/design workflows by seeking to understand the care pathways that SADIE will engage with in the NHS through stakeholder engagement and qualitative research approaches. We anticipate future commercialisation of this technology will enable a step-change in a clinician’s ability to take the right steps at the right time to both reduce the occurrence of stillbirth and the short and long term costs associated with preterm birth and neonatal intensive care.
This project will be completed in collaboration with the University of Manchester and will entail spending time there. This working pattern is flexible (including part-time hours, minimum 18.75 per week) and will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate.
Key Responsibilities
As a Research Associate at the Franklin, you will bring scientific knowledge and skills to deliver a specific research project and/or you will bring independent, creative science, or specific skills to a team delivering a project or program. Through this work, you will build scientific independence, develop new science and leadership skills, and establish a growing reputation externally.
In this particular role, you will:
- Design and conduct interview with stakeholders across the NHS care pathway, including maternal fetal medicine clinicians, midwives, sonographers, digital health experts, information technology experts and patient group representatives.
- Identify and document current pain points associated across the maternity care pathway.
- Analyse interview data to Identify opportunities, capacity and staff motivations to embed SADIE in NHS workflows, and technological synergies/parallels that may help enable this.
- Based on stakeholder engagement, generate user requirement documentation to ensure SADIE is developed to meet the users/use-case.
- Work to complete these requirements will take place either in person at the Franklin, the University of Manchester or remotely via online meetings.
- Plan and conduct research, analyse and interpret results and supervise delivery of outputs (e.g. research report, patent application) in a scientific/technology area of interest.
- Work within a project team, contributing to wider projects around Franklin's key Challenges.
- Lead major contributions to outputs from research including papers, patents and both internal and external presentations.
- Support and develop others including day-to-day supervision of students or visitors in areas related to own research.
- Have supervised, staged progression to first stages of scientific independence with opportunities to further develop science and skills/experience.
- Enhance your research through collaboration with other researchers and make active contributions to exchanging of ideas through your own network.
- Be able to understand, interpret, create and communicate appropriately within a research context.
- Develop search and discovery skills and techniques.
- Be supervised by a Scientist/Senior Scientist in delivery of research outputs, either in the context of a project or Challenge or as an early career development fellow.
Whilst the role requires candidates to hold a PhD/DPhil (or equivalent), we may consider candidates who have submitted their PhD/DPhil thesis, in which case the initial appointment will be made at £38,500 per annum (to be increased on completion of the PhD/DPhil qualification).
At the Rosalind Franklin Institute we also welcome applications from all around the world!
How to Apply
To be considered for this role, please upload a CV and cover letter explaining why you think you are the right person for this job.
Closing date: The closing date for applications is 23:59 on Sunday 8th November 2026.
Interviews are planned for w/c 23rd November 2026.
Area: Scientific
Period of appointment: 12 Months Fixed-Term Contract
Advert Details
- Location: Harwell
- Salary: £39,500 + per annum (depending on skills and experience)
- Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract
- Closes: 8th November 2026