This is an exciting opportunity to join a team working on a NIHR Policy Research Programme project to understand and facilitate improvements in access to general practice. The project will focus on bridging the gap between policy and practice through implementing a nuanced understanding of access that optimises the fit between the needs of diverse patients and the skills of the healthcare workforce. The study is informed by principles of action research and realist evaluation, and builds on previous work utilising a community-based participatory research approach to understand peoples’ experiences of accessing care.
The main objective of this post is to work with the existing research team to recruit policy and general practice stakeholders to the study, organise and undertake qualitative data collection and analysis, and lead the writing up of outputs from the study. The post holder will also facilitate a pre-established but expanding community-based research team. The ability to build and maintain strong relationships with those working in primary care as well as patients and community members is therefore integral to the role, and experience of participatory research or similar approaches is important. The post holder will require an excellent understanding of the operation of the NHS, particularly primary care and issues regarding access, and a good understanding of current issues in health policy will also be important.
You will be an experienced qualitative researcher, with a good understanding of relevant social science theory. The role will involve working with Dr Jonathan Hammond (Principal Investigator) and Dr Jennifer Voorhees (Clinical Lecturer) to support study development and design, with responsibility for carrying out all aspects of qualitative research, including obtaining necessary ethical and governance permissions, data collection and analysis.
You will be expected to actively contribute to writing academic papers for publication and reports for policy makers, leading the preparation of these when appropriate. The post holder will be expected to present research findings to a variety of audiences.
You will be aligned with the Health Policy, Politics and Organisations (HOPE) research group within the Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, and contribute to the broader work of the group, supporting the synthesis of findings across related projects and seeking to develop future projects.
You will work closely with the project team at The University of Manchester to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the project, and play a key role in supporting the day-to-day management of the project. The post holder will also be involved in team meetings with all coinvestigators: Professor Kath Checkland, Dr Simon Bailey, and Dr Yiu-Shing Lau. The post will be under the line management of Dr Hammond. The contract of employment will be held by, and the post will be located at, The University of Manchester.
The School/Department is strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity, including the Athena SWAN charter for gender equality in higher education. The School/Department holds a Silver Award which recognises their good practice in relation to gender; including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies, and support to allow staff achieve a good work-life balance. We particularly welcome applications from women for this post. All appointment will be made on merit. For further information, please visit:
https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/about/equality
Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here
Blended working arrangements may be considered
Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.
Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Name: Jonathan Hammond
Email: jonathan.hammond@manchester.ac.uk
General enquiries:
Email: hrservices@manchester.ac.uk
Technical support:
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home
This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.
Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.
