Research Fellow (PHIRST)

Lancaster University - Health Research

This is an opportunity for a highly experienced and independent public health researcher to work as part of an NIHR funded Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Team. PHIRST LiLaC is one of ten PHIRSTs and is a collaboration between universities of Liverpool and Lancaster, led by Professor Ben Barr and Dr Emma Halliday.

In this role, you will largely be responsible for leading and delivering the qualitative ‘lived experience’ work strand of a study evaluating the early impacts of a city-wide digital inclusion programme on health and digital inequalities. Day to day, your main responsibilities will include planning and leading fieldwork and the management of stakeholder relationships. You will work with the city’s digital inclusion team as well as local community organisations to plan and undertake qualitative fieldwork to understand perspectives of groups experiencing digital inequalities. You will coordinate evaluation activities, lead data collection and data analysis, prepare project reports and other policy and academic outputs. You may also be asked to contribute to other elements of the evaluation or PHIRST LiLaC activities as required. You will be familiar with the demands of undertaking research with local authorities or community organisations that can require flexibility as well as working to tight deadlines.

The post will be based within the Division of Health Research at Lancaster University. The role can be conducted via hybrid/remote working but the postholder must be based in the UK. The ability and willingness to undertake regular site visits to Coventry in the Midlands to conduct research activities is essential.

Our team and the Division of Health Research provide a friendly environment that strongly supports the individual needs of each employee, and which actively promotes a healthy work-life balance. The Faculty is committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies and has held a Silver Athena SWAN award since 2014 in recognition of its good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research.

The post is available for immediate start, and we will consider against the business needs of the project flexible working arrangements including condensed hours, days/hours worked and flexible start and finish times. You will join us on an indefinite contract however the role remains contingent on external funding which at this time is due to come to an end on 28th February 2027.

Applicants wishing to consider the Skilled Worker Route should ensure they meet the points requirement before applying. Further information can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Emma Halliday (e.halliday@lancaster.ac.uk)