Research Fellow – Department of Applied Health Sciences – 106598 – Grade 7 Full-time

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Department of Applied Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to April 2027

Closing date: 11th February 2026

Background

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join NIHR-funded research programme evaluating the use of apixaban thromboprophylaxis to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in ambulatory lung cancer patients undergoing systemic anticancer treatment (SACT) [Thrombo-STOP trial].

This role will focus on conducting the process evaluation within the wider study, exploring how apixaban prophylaxis is delivered in routine care, and how it is experienced by patients and clinicians. The insights generated from this work will directly inform the feasibility, acceptability, and scalability of thromboprophylaxis in lung cancer, and help shape future approaches to supportive cancer care.

You will be based within the Department of Applied Health Sciences and work closely with Dr Agnieszka Ignatowicz and wider team, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team across academic and clinical settings. This role offers the opportunity to be part of a nationally leading research and clinical collaboration, with prospects for career development, high-impact publications, and the chance in shaping care for people living with lung cancer.

About the Project

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in lung cancer and leads to poorer quality of life, increased healthcare costs, and higher morbidity and mortality. Risk is particularly high in patients receiving systemic anticancer therapy.

Anticoagulation has been shown to reduce VTE, but routine thromboprophylaxis is not current standard care for this population. Subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin can reduce risk, but is inconvenient for patients. Apixaban, a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC), is easier to administer, has a good safety profile, and is widely used in other clinical contexts.

This trial will assess whether six months of apixaban (2.5mg BD) reduces VTE in ambulatory lung cancer patients starting SACT.

Role Summary

• Work within the NIHR-funded Thrombo-STOP trial and with its team of co-applicants and collaborators
• Operate within area of specialism (mixed-methods, qualitative research, and/or implementation research)
• Collect data, analyse and interpret data and research findings
• Apply established implementation frameworks to interpret findings
• Contribute to generating academic publications and reports

Main Duties

• Contribute to designing protocols, data collection tools like topic guides, and ethics applications
• Identify, recruit and consent research participants
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Collect qualitative data in a sensitive manner following established protocols
• Conduct literature searching and reviewing
• Lead public involvement activities with a diverse range of contributors
• Analyse qualitative/mixed-methods data using established and rigorous analytic methods
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding and that ensures pathways are accessible and inclusive
• Disseminate research findings for publication such as in policy briefs, academic papers, and at research seminars, conferences
• Undertake management and administration activities arising from the research project
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Where appropriate, contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree (PhD) relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: implantation research, qualitative research, and/or mixed-methods research
• Familiarity with implementation research frameworks, such as Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and Normalization Process Theory (NPT)
• Capable of working sensitively with participants that may be very unwell and their families
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Excellent ability to work as a team and independently including co-ordinating own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly