The Role

We are seeking to recruit a Senior Research Associate to support polypharmacy in social care research in the Newcastle Patient Safety Research Collaborative. We welcome applications from those with post-graduate training and significant work experience in social care (home care) or polypharmacy research.

You will be responsible for driving forward another of projects in the area of polypharmacy and social care. The project will use mixed methods and the post-holder will take the lead in determining, and applying, the most appropriate research methodology to answer the questions. They will have responsibility for developing and leading the recruitment of home care providers and local authorities and for dissemination activities, which will include standard academic dissemination, engagement with health and social care professionals and policy makers, and public dissemination. They will also take the lead for public & patient involvement and engagement (PPIE) activities within the projects.

The post will join the thriving, dynamic, multi-disciplinary Patient Safety Research Collaboration in the School of Pharmacy/Population Health Sciences Institute at Newcastle University. You must be enthusiastic about working in multi-disciplinary teams and a wide range of stakeholders.

Challenges are often encountered in research and you will need to be responsive to these, and have the ability to solve problems and find solutions. You may be expected to be involved in supervision and professional development of more junior research staff and supervision of undergraduate and post-graduate students. You will also be encouraged and supported to develop your own research ideas and contribute to, and develop, funding applications.

The post is full-time, starting 1st October 2026, for a period of 18 months.

Please note that Newcastle University is a campus-based university; while blended working arrangements may be possible, we would be unlikely to consider applicants who wish to work entirely remotely.

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Professor Barbara Hanratty ( Barbara.Hanratty@newcastle.ac.uk) or Professor Adam Todd ( adam.todd@newcastle.ac.uk) for an informal discussion.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the delivery of the projects, setting and monitoring targets, and ensuring successful delivery on time and within budget
• Drive the selection and application of appropriate research methods
• Lead applications for data access and ensure necessary approvals are in place, as required
• Undertake rapid reviews of relevant literature to inform the project and ensure it remains up-to-date and grounded in contemporary social care
  
• Lead regular project meetings
• Develop and implement dissemination plan for projects, with a focus on maximising impact
• Developing effective working relationships with other project staff and collaborators, both social, health, local authority and academic
• Take responsibility for reporting activities as required by the project funder
• Identify and undertake a programme of professional development, including further training in research methods or other transferable skills
• Initiate funding applications
• Provide supervision of, and support development of, other researchers within the PSRC
• Participate in activities of the PSRC and Population Health Science Research Institute
• Contribute to the supervision of undergraduate and post-graduate projects & dissertations
• Undertake other reasonable duties as required

The Person

Knowledge, Skills, Experience and Attributes

• Experience of home care research (domiciliary care)
• Experience of using social care data for research
• Experience of applying a range of methodological approaches across a variety of different study designs
• Very well-developed skills in relevant IT packages to support research analysis (e.g. NVivo)
• Knowledge of research related to older people and social care
• Effective time management and prioritisation skills to balance the potentially conflicting demands of project work and other research and teaching
• High level of understanding and experience of working with multidisciplinary collaborators and a range of stakeholders
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work flexibly and cooperatively with others to successfully deliver research projects
• Ability to solve problems
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect research data according to protocols and principles of good research practice
• Experience and success in applying for research funding
• Strong track record of disseminating research findings, including publishing in peer-reviewed journals

Desirable

• Experience of working within multi-disciplinary or multi-centre teams
• Knowledge or experience working with the published evidence in relation to polypharmacy or medication prescribing in home care
• Experience of supporting development of research skills among researchers or students
• Experience of PPIE

Qualifications

• A PhD highly relevant to social care