Job Description

Location

Brighton, UK

Hours

0.4FTE (15 hours per week) between 15.09.25 and 14.12.25; 1.FTE (37.5 hours per week) between 15.12.25 and 31.03.26. Requests for flexible working options will be considered (subject to business need).

Salary

Grade 6 starting at 34,610 to 38,784 per annum, pro rata if part time.

Contract Type

Fixed Term Contract
About the role



This Research Assistant position will contribute to the development and delivery of primary and community health research activities collaboratively delivered by the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration for Kent, Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS).

This will be a desk-based role, contributing to the design, development and delivery of applied health research projects within the Primary Care and Public Health Department, BSMS, and the 'Primary and Community Health Services' theme research portfolios. The post holder will be expected to assist with production of (funder) reports as well as, where required, research publications.

You will support Prof. Carrie Llewellyn, Head of the Department of Primary Care and Public Health, BSMS and the ARC KKS 'Primary and Community Health Services' (PCHS)Theme Lead, together with Dr Nina Lockwood, Postdoctoral Research Fellow for PCHS theme and within the Primary Care and Public Health Department, BSMS. You will also collaborate with colleagues at the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration for Kent, Surrey and Sussex and local primary and community care clinicians.

About you



We are looking for an early to early-career researcher with relevant experience in applied health research. Post-holders will be expected to contribute to the work of the research team, and also to develop their research skills with support from more experienced members of staff. You will need to have a working understanding of mixed-methods approaches to applied health research, with appropriate methodological experience and analytic skills. You will need to have solid knowledge of applied health research, health psychology, or a related area, and ideally have specific experience of research in the field of public health and knowledge of primary and community interventions.

Excellent IT skills and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) are essential. You will also be a good communicator, both in writing and orally, and able to work both independently as well as part of a team.

About our School and Department



Brighton & Sussex Medical School (BSMS) is a vibrant and inclusive joint venture between the Universities of Sussex and Brighton. We are proud to hold an Athena SWAN Gold Award. The Department of Primary Care & Public Health is one of five departments within BSMS and our teaching and research across primary care and public health helps us develop ways to evaluate and improve the health and healthcare of all, particularly the most vulnerable, stigmatised and underserved, such as people living in deprived coastal communities. The Department of Primary Care and Public Health hosts experts across a wide range of disciplines and methodologies to address healthcare challenges and inequalities across the lifespan. These include general practice, public health, epidemiology, medical statistics, data science, psychology and behavioural medicine. The department currently host the NIHR ARC Kent, Surrey and Sussex Primary Care and Community Health Theme and hosts placements and supervisions for Public Health Trainees from the new Kent, Surrey and Sussex School of Public Health.

The University of Sussex is a leading teaching and research institution and is ranked within the top 200 in the world. We have a longstanding commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we are proud to hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award (2020) for our work promoting gender equality.

More than just an educational institution; the University of Brighton is a community of passionate students, educators, researchers and professional services colleagues dedicated to transforming lives and shaping futures. We take pride in making a significant impact in our local community and reaching out globally, based on our strong commitment to partnership working in our education, research and knowledge exchange. Core values of inclusivity, sustainability, creativity and partnership run throughout all of our practices, alongside our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Health and care make up a large part of our provision from paramedic science to podiatry, nursing to health promotion.

Why work here



Our university is situated off the A27, next to the beautiful South Downs where you will enjoy everything that our 150-acre campus has to offer. We are accessible by public transport; Falmer train station is a five-minute walk to campus and several bus stops are located within campus. We also have dedicated cycling paths and encourage our staff to use these with our offering of a cycle to work scheme.

Sussex is a renowned, multi-accredited, research-led International University and this is only possible because of the people that work here. Whether you are a member of Faculty, part of a Professional Services team or a Student, it's our people that make us great and we want you to be part of that.

Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion

Further Key Information



Please contact Professor Carrie Llewellyn (C.D.Llewellyn@bsms.ac.uk) or Dr Nina Lockwood (N.Lockwood@bsms.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.

For full details and how to apply see our vacancies page.

The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex.

See more vacancies at the University of Brighton

The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.



Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role may be eligible for sponsorship. Please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information about Visa Sponsorship.


August 25, 2025 5:59 PM

Expected Interview Date

Expected Start Date

15th September 2025

Fixed Term Contract Duration

Fixed term until 31st March 2026