Research Associate

Are you a qualitative or mixed methods researcher? Do you want to work with an enthusiastic group of world-leading researchers on a new Arthritis UK Consortium to address critical gaps in existing knowledge? We are seeking an enthusiastic researcher to join the University of Manchester as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate, working within Workstream 1: Health Inequalities.

This is a new and exciting opportunity to join the Arthritis UK Consortium “Better Lives, Safer Journey”, a major UK-wide research initiative funded by Arthritis UK. The consortium brings together leading academic institutions—including Manchester, Oxford, Aberdeen, Keele, and Nottingham—to deliver impactful research aimed at improving lives and making journeys through musculoskeletal care safer.

• Contribute to a nationally significant research programme with real-world impact.

• Help build and support communities of practice, engage with patient partners, and contribute to knowledge mobilisation across the consortium.

• Work in a role that offers variety, autonomy, and the chance to grow, with opportunities to shape how the role evolves over time.

• Working closely with patient partners and the wider consortium, the postholder will help ensure that quantitative research is well aligned with consortium priorities, bringing a clear health inequalities perspective.

As a Post-Doctoral Research Associate, you’ll be part of a collaborative, supportive, and forward-thinking team based at the University of Manchester. You’ll work alongside researchers, clinicians, patient partners, and knowledge mobilisation specialists to help shape the future of musculoskeletal research.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

• A PhD in epidemiology, psychology, sociology, public health, or a related discipline.

• Experience contributing to understanding the impact of health inequalities on important outcomes in those living with a rheumatic and musculoskeletal condition.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working closely with patient partners and the wider consortium.

The post is part-time and will be based at the Centre for Musculoskeletal Research (CfMR), Centre for Epidemiology, University of Manchester, UK.

Our benefits include:
• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Prof Suzan Verstappen

Email Address: Suzanne.verstappen@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries and administrative support

recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical and job portal support

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.