Academic ConnectResearch Fellow
The role
This is a 14-month fixed-term post initially, with potential for future roles later in the project. Full and part-time applications will be considered.
We are seeking an experienced Research Fellow to work on a partnership project with NHS and healthcare organisations to systemically improve the wellbeing of healthcare staff so that they can thrive.
The successful applicant will be responsible for the smooth running of this National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded research project that aims to improve the wellbeing of the UK healthcare workforce. One of the key aims of the partnership is to ensure inclusion of ‘seldom heard’ groups, who are likely to include staff from racially minoritised groups, internationally recruited, disabled and non-clinical staff.
The NHS workforce crisis is driven by complex, interconnected factors. To address key knowledge gaps, we are using a mixed-methods realist approach to identify, implement, and evaluate systems-level promising ‘bundles’ of interventions. We will use co-design methods to agree priorities and interventions in partnership with NHS staff.
We are looking for a post-doctoral researcher with mixed methods research skills and ideally realist methodology experience and excellent project management and organisational skills. They will be responsible for primary and secondary data collection and ensuring the smooth running of this large-scale workforce research partnership project, with strong supervision and support from an experienced wider research team.
The successful applicant will be part of a national team and vibrant wider research community at the University of Surrey through the Workforce Organisation and Wellbeing (WOW) expert group (https://www.surrey.ac.uk/school-health-sciences/research/workforce-organisation-and-wellbeing) and the Care Under Pressure research (https://workforceresearchsurrey.health/projects-resources/cup2/).
About the University of Surrey and School of Health Sciences
The School of Health Sciences is a leading provider of undergraduate and postgraduate education and is in the top 10 in the UK for research following the recent Research Excellence Framework assessment.
As a Silver Athena SWAN award holder, Stonewall Diversity Champion and Disability Confident employer, we are committed to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion.
Studies have shown that women and other minoritised groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single criteria. We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly, do contact us to discuss. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles
Further information can be found at http://www.surrey.ac.uk/school-health-sciences. For an informal discussion please contact Professor Cath Taylor, cath.taylor@surrey.ac.uk, Jill Maben, j.maben@surrey.ac.uk or Dr Ruth Abrams r.abrams@surrey.ac.uk.
How to apply
Please apply on the University website.
Start date: 5th January 2026
Interviews: 25th or 26th November 2025
Further details
Job Description
This is a 14-month fixed-term post initially, with potential for future roles later in the project. Full and part-time applications will be considered.
We are seeking an experienced Research Fellow to work on a partnership project with NHS and healthcare organisations to systemically improve the wellbeing of healthcare staff so that they can thrive.
The successful applicant will be responsible for the smooth running of this National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded research project that aims to improve the wellbeing of the UK healthcare workforce. One of the key aims of the partnership is to ensure inclusion of ‘seldom heard’ groups, who are likely to include staff from racially minoritised groups, internationally recruited, disabled and non-clinical staff.
The NHS workforce crisis is driven by complex, interconnected factors. To address key knowledge gaps, we are using a mixed-methods realist approach to identify, implement, and evaluate systems-level promising ‘bundles’ of interventions. We will use co-design methods to agree priorities and interventions in partnership with NHS staff.
We are looking for a post-doctoral researcher with mixed methods research skills and ideally realist methodology experience and excellent project management and organisational skills. They will be responsible for primary and secondary data collection and ensuring the smooth running of this large-scale workforce research partnership project, with strong supervision and support from an experienced wider research team.
The successful applicant will be part of a national team and vibrant wider research community at the University of Surrey through the Workforce Organisation and Wellbeing (WOW) expert group (https://www.surrey.ac.uk/school-health-sciences/research/workforce-organisation-and-wellbeing) and the Care Under Pressure research (https://workforceresearchsurrey.health/projects-resources/cup2/).
About the University of Surrey and School of Health Sciences
The School of Health Sciences is a leading provider of undergraduate and postgraduate education and is in the top 10 in the UK for research following the recent Research Excellence Framework assessment.
As a Silver Athena SWAN award holder, Stonewall Diversity Champion and Disability Confident employer, we are committed to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion.
Studies have shown that women and other minoritised groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single criteria. We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly, do contact us to discuss. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles
Further information can be found at http://www.surrey.ac.uk/school-health-sciences. For an informal discussion please contact Professor Cath Taylor, cath.taylor@surrey.ac.uk, Jill Maben, j.maben@surrey.ac.uk or Dr Ruth Abrams r.abrams@surrey.ac.uk.
How to apply
Please apply on the University website.
Start date: 5th January 2026
Interviews: 25th or 26th November 2025
Further details
Job Description
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