Job summary
Closing Date: 6th November 2025
Shortlisting to take place in the week following closing date: commencing7th November 2025
Interview expected to take place in the week following shortlisting: commencing20th November 2025
Career-break cover- fixed term contract up to 31/12/2026
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Research Fellow to lead the qualitative research components of a major longitudinal cohort study focused on older people with frailty, and in particular, those in final phase of life in historically underserved populations. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the qualitative strategy of an important research study that aims to improve our understanding on ways to support wellbeing in later life.
The successful candidate will play a central role in designing, implementing, and analysing qualitative research within the cohort, working closely with team members, study participants and their families, and health care professionals.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will take a lead in setting up and implementing qualitative research for the study. Duties will include:
o Co-ordinating applications for ethical and regulatory approvals
o Lead co-design workshops to refine study materials
o Collecting qualitative data (including conducting interviews) with older people and their family members in their homes
o Analysing qualitative data using grounded theory techniques
Other responsibilities may include public engagement activities, data management, co-ordinating the activity of another researcher, and providing regular progress reports.
The successful candidate will have a post-graduate degree or equivalent experience/qualification in a health, health/social care research, or social science related subject, have experience in project management, and considerable experience in undertaking and analysing qualitative research. Experience of conducting workshops to develop recommendations jointly with health care professionals and patients is desirable.
There is an expectation that the post holder will be prepared to work flexibly and travel as required for data collection and regional/national events.
We will be screening all applications for the use of AI, specific examples of experience are required.
We have the right to close the post early if there is excessive demand, therefore please consider submitting your application as soon as possible.
About us
Our People Charter outlines the behaviours we can expect from one another and what you can expect from Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust:
- We value people
- We are one team
- We care
We're keen to meet people who share these values and are passionate about delivering the highest quality of care to our patients.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Contribute to a national and internationally recognised programme of research, within a framework of health and social care research.
Oversee management and implementation of the qualitative components of the project.
Ensure that research governance procedures and data protection is adhered to at all times according to local and national guidance.
Co-ordinating applications for ethical and regulatory approvals.
Work with a range of research partners (older people, family members) to co-design data collection and recruitment methods.
Conduct qualitative research, which is likely to include interviews with older adults and their family members.
Analyse and synthesise data using qualitative methods.
Facilitate patient and public involvement (PPI) to meet the needs of the project.
Report project progress and results.
Work as appropriate with colleagues in the University of Leeds and other collaborative partners.
Manage workload to ensure that the research is completed within timescales.
Contribute to resource and budget planning and assisting in management of project budgets.
Where appropriate, line management responsibility for ASR staff e.g. Research Fellow.
Provide training in specialty to support development of others.
Disseminate research results through writing academic papers in high impact journals, and presenting at national and international conferences and meetings.
Contribute to the development of new research proposals.
Provide advice and guidance to colleagues in the ASR.
Work with academic colleagues to take advantage of funding opportunities.
Conduct other duties at a comparable level of responsibility, as agreed with the job holder.
Job description
Job responsibilities
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Contribute to a national and internationally recognised programme of research, within a framework of health and social care research.
Oversee management and implementation of the qualitative components of the project.
Ensure that research governance procedures and data protection is adhered to at all times according to local and national guidance.
Co-ordinating applications for ethical and regulatory approvals.
Work with a range of research partners (older people, family members) to co-design data collection and recruitment methods.
Conduct qualitative research, which is likely to include interviews with older adults and their family members.
Analyse and synthesise data using qualitative methods.
Facilitate patient and public involvement (PPI) to meet the needs of the project.
Report project progress and results.
Work as appropriate with colleagues in the University of Leeds and other collaborative partners.
Manage workload to ensure that the research is completed within timescales.
Contribute to resource and budget planning and assisting in management of project budgets.
Where appropriate, line management responsibility for ASR staff e.g. Research Fellow.
Provide training in specialty to support development of others.
Disseminate research results through writing academic papers in high impact journals, and presenting at national and international conferences and meetings.
Contribute to the development of new research proposals.
Provide advice and guidance to colleagues in the ASR.
Work with academic colleagues to take advantage of funding opportunities.
Conduct other duties at a comparable level of responsibility, as agreed with the job holder.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of conducting qualitative data collection, including interviews
- Experience of analysing qualitative data
- Experience of research project management
- Relevant research experience in the field of ageing research / elderly care and/or disability.
- Experience of organising and conducting research in an NHS /academic or similar setting
- Experience of working with older people, informal carers / family members and professionals.
- Experience of effective multi-disciplinary team working
- Authoring peer-reviewed research publications
Desirable
- Experience of co-designing research with patient and public (PPI) and/or people with lived experience.
- Experienced of working with ethnic minorities in the UK context
- Experience of using creative approaches in qualitative research
- Experience of analysing qualitative data using grounded theory
- Experience of working with older people entering the final phase of life
Skills
Essential
- Facilitation skills and the ability to work with and co-ordinate the work of a range of research partners (PPI representatives, professionals and researchers)
- Ability to motivate and manage staff and implement best practice
- Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
- Well-developed written and verbal communication skills
Desirable
- Ability to translate a research proposal into an actional plan
- Demonstrated facilitative and negotiating skills
- Successful grant applications
- Multilingual
- Car driver with access to own vehicle
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of what the NHS Constitution means to you, and your responsibilities to the public, patients and colleagues.
- Computer literate and knowledge of Microsoft Office software packages
- Knowledge of IRAS/HRA processes
Desirable
- Knowledge of specialist qualitative analysis software packages (e.g. NVivo)
Qualifications
Desirable
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of conducting qualitative data collection, including interviews
- Experience of analysing qualitative data
- Experience of research project management
- Relevant research experience in the field of ageing research / elderly care and/or disability.
- Experience of organising and conducting research in an NHS /academic or similar setting
- Experience of working with older people, informal carers / family members and professionals.
- Experience of effective multi-disciplinary team working
- Authoring peer-reviewed research publications
Desirable
- Experience of co-designing research with patient and public (PPI) and/or people with lived experience.
- Experienced of working with ethnic minorities in the UK context
- Experience of using creative approaches in qualitative research
- Experience of analysing qualitative data using grounded theory
- Experience of working with older people entering the final phase of life
Skills
Essential
- Facilitation skills and the ability to work with and co-ordinate the work of a range of research partners (PPI representatives, professionals and researchers)
- Ability to motivate and manage staff and implement best practice
- Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
- Well-developed written and verbal communication skills
Desirable
- Ability to translate a research proposal into an actional plan
- Demonstrated facilitative and negotiating skills
- Successful grant applications
- Multilingual
- Car driver with access to own vehicle
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of what the NHS Constitution means to you, and your responsibilities to the public, patients and colleagues.
- Computer literate and knowledge of Microsoft Office software packages
- Knowledge of IRAS/HRA processes
Desirable
- Knowledge of specialist qualitative analysis software packages (e.g. NVivo)
Qualifications
Desirable
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
