ARC Postdoctoral Researcher; Age Well Theme Full-time

ARC Postdoctoral Researcher; Age Well Theme

Applications are invited for the post of Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Postdoctoral Researcher, to join the NIHR ARC Thames Valley, Age Well Theme. The postholder will play a key role in delivering high-quality applied health research focused on supporting healthy ageing, reducing health inequalities, and improving outcomes for older adults, particularly those living with multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) and frailty. The postholder will be embedded within the Cardio-Metabolic-Renal Research Group in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, working closely with Professor James Sheppard, Dr Megan Kirk Chang, and Dr Esther Williamson. They will collaborate across the Age Well Theme, including gaining valuable multidisciplinary experience with cross-collaborations in the Department of Psychiatry and Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), and the wider ARC, as well as with clinical, policy, voluntary sector, and public partners.

The successful applicant will contribute to a diverse portfolio of projects examining how best to support healthy ageing, including identifying the most effective ways of delivering routine health checks to detect health issues early, and scaling the implementation of proven interventions for older people most affected by health inequalities. The postholder will ideally have mixed methods expertise, or at minimum strong qualitative research experience, and will work within a multidisciplinary team to deliver research with real-world impact. Responsibilities will include leading the design, conduct, and analysis of qualitative research (e.g. interviews, focus groups, co-design activities), working directly with patients recruited to research studies, with opportunities to contribute to quantitative and health economic analyses where appropriate. The postholder will be expected to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary research team, including collaboration with clinicians, statisticians, health economists, policy-makers, local authorities, industry partners and voluntary sector partners and contribute to patient and public involvement (PPI) activities, ensuring that the perspectives of older adults and underserved groups inform research design and delivery.

You will have or be close to the completion of a relevant PhD/DPhil in applied health research, possess specialist knowledge in qualitative and/or mixed methods research, and have strong analytical skills, drawing on suitable quantitative and qualitative frameworks. You will have demonstrable ability to lead research projects, experience engaging with diverse patients and participants from underserved communities and have excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, tailoring the approach to different audiences.

You will be based in the Radcliffe Primary Care, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Radcliffe Primary Care Building, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG as your normal place of work, but will be able to agree a pattern of regular remote working with your line manager. The post is full time although applications for part-time working will be considered (minimum FTE 60%). The position is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration, for two years in the first instance.

For further information or discuss the post please contact Prof James Sheppard (james.sheppard@phc.ox.ac.uk) and Dr Megan Kirk Chang (megan.kirkchang@psych.ox.ac.uk).

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online and you will be required to upload a CV and Supporting Statement as part of your online application. The Supporting Statement should include a cover letter and should also clearly describe how you meet each of the selection criteria listed in the job description. The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Wednesday 27 May 2026. Interviews are expected to be held during the week commencing 22 June 2026.