Research Fellow – Social Care and Older Adults’ Food and Drink Needs(UK Visa sponsorship available)

Job Description

About the Role

We are seeking a Research Fellow to join a 2-year project funded by the NIHR Research Programme for Social Care. The study focuses on how homecare supports the food and drink needs of older adults in the UK, emphasizing quality of life and the socio-cultural dimensions of eating, drinking, and care.

The successful candidate will support the Principal Investigator (PI) with daily research and knowledge mobilization tasks. Key responsibilities include conducting document analysis, carrying out semi-structured interviews with diverse participants, analyzing qualitative data, and co-leading participatory workshops. The Research Fellow will also contribute to drafting research findings, academic publications, and funder reports.

This role requires regular travel to London and Brighton & Hove for participant recruitment, data collection, and dissemination activities. Other tasks will be conducted at a desk-based setting.

You will work closely with the PI and support the Department of Primary Care and Public Health. The project team includes colleagues from Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), University of Kent, University of Surrey, and public advisors.

Further information about the Department of Primary Care & Public Health is available at Primary Care and Public Health – BSMS

About You

You hold a PhD in anthropology, sociology, social care, or a related field, or have equivalent relevant experience.

You have demonstrable expertise in qualitative research methods and data analysis.

You possess an emerging record of high-quality, peer-reviewed research or equivalent outputs.

Excellent communication, organizational skills, and a strong commitment to dignity, respect, and confidentiality in research are essential.

You can work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, engaging with partners in social care and local government.

You will actively contribute to knowledge mobilization, conference presentations, and research publications.

You bring enthusiasm, initiative, and strong organizational skills to advance the project while fostering a supportive and inclusive research environment.

About Our School

Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) is a partnership between the Universities of Sussex and Brighton and NHS organizations in the South-East Region. BSMS is committed to inclusivity, sustainability, and excellence in medical education, clinical practice, and research spanning from early translational to applied studies.

Our dedicated academic, technical, and professional services teams work collaboratively to deliver outstanding teaching and research, making BSMS one of the UK’s leading medical schools. We nurture a supportive environment enabling staff and students to thrive.

Our research aims to:

Improve medical treatments

Answer fundamental biomedical and clinical questions

Deliver personalized healthcare to patients

Further details about BSMS can be found at Brighton and Sussex Medical School
.

BSMS is proud to hold a Gold Athena Swan Award for gender equality.

Why Work Here?

Our campus is located near the beautiful South Downs and offers excellent transport links including Falmer train station, bus stops, and dedicated cycling paths. We promote sustainable travel with a cycle-to-work scheme.

Sussex is a globally recognized, research-led international university, made exceptional by its people — whether faculty, professional services, or students. We invite you to join our vibrant community.

Find out more about our reward and benefits
and our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion

Additional Information.

The University is committed to equality and diversity and particularly encourages applications from women and Black and minority ethnic candidates, who are underrepresented in STEMM academic posts.

The University requires all work to be undertaken within the UK.

Due to the part-time nature of this post, it does not qualify for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship. For more details, please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page

How to Apply

Please submit your application via the University of Sussex online recruitment portal.