Job Description

Ref Number

B02-09600

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

43,981-52,586

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

Hybrid

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

06-Nov-2025

About us

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The UCL Institute for Global Health (IGH) is at the heart of UCL's Grand Challenge of Global Health. The Institute's vision is for a world where international policy on global health is informed by world-class research. IGH aims to support the development of robust solutions to aspects of the world's major global health challenges through scholarly outputs, education, public engagement, translational research, and ultimately by influencing public policy and professional practice.



Participatory Engagement for City Communities Against NCD Risk in Bangladesh and Nepal (The PECAN Project)



The PECAN project started in August 2024 and aims to adapt, implement and evaluate a participatory community intervention in cities in Nepal and Bangladesh to address non-communicable disease (NCD) risk determinants and consequences. The intervention is being co-developed with community stakeholders and will include evidence-based strategies of group-based physical activity, digital health promotion and community action to address contextual drivers of NCDs. We will study outcomes of common NCD risk, including diet, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use, blood glucose, blood pressure and BMI in representative population samples of adults aged 18+ and will conduct specific sub-studies on physical activity outcomes among older women.



The project brings together experts from UCL Institute for Global Health, UK; the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Bangladesh; and HERD International, Nepal.



This post offers an excellent opportunity for a researcher with interest and experience in global non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to contribute to a major project tackling NCD risk in South Asian cities. Based within the Centre for Global NCDs and under supervision of the co-PIs Professor Fottrell and Dr Morrison, the post-holder will be responsible for co-ordinating project activities and developing and evaluating community interventions to reduce the burden of NCDs in urban Bangladesh and Nepal.

About the role

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The postholder will play a leading role in project management, coordination and technical support to PECAN alongside partners in Bangladesh and Nepal and the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases and funders (UKRI) in the UK. There will be opportunities for the successful candidate to develop their skills and own research interests in global NCD research within the PECAN project. The successful candidate will be based at UCL in London but will be expected to work in Bangladesh and/or Nepal for up to two months per year.



The post holder will be expected to:


Monitor project milestones and deliverables and develop/adapt work plans to meet project objectives as necessary. Contribute to public engagement and communications activities related to the project and to the Centre for Global NCDs more widely Design, adapt and implement field data capture training manuals and standard operating procedures (SOPs) and train field staff in face-to-face data capture Contribute to intervention development, especially elements related to digital/mHealth health promotion and monitoring. Contribute to teaching at IGH, e.g., tutorials, personal tutoring, marking, if appropriate. Commit to continuing professional development and undertake relevant training to keep informed of current policies, procedures and legislation. Maintain awareness and observation of Fire, Health and Safety Regulations.

This is a full-time role (i.e. 36.5 hours per week) and it is available immediately until 30th November 2027.



This post is based at 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH but the post holder is expected to work in Bangladesh and/or Nepal for up to two months per year.



A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.



Salary range: 45,103 to 52,586 per annum (including London Allowance), depending on experience.



If you have any queries about the role, please contact Professor Ed Fottrell at E.Fottrell@ucl.ac.uk and Dr Joanna Morrison at Joanna.Morrison@ucl.ac.uk.


If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact the IGH HR Team on IGH.HR@ucl.ac.uk.

Please note that the application should only include a 2 page CV, a list of publications and a 2-page cover letter.

About you

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The candidate must have a PhD in epidemiology, global health, public health, social sciences or a related discipline.



Experience in multi-disciplinary team working, experience of data management for large-scale datasets and knowledge and experience of leading statistical analyses.



The ideal candidate will have excellent understanding of quantitative survey research methods applied in global health and will have previous experience of conducting literature reviews, preparing reports and presentations. They will be organised, with meticulous attention to detail and with careful and systematic approach to tasks.

What we offer

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As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:


41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan Immigration loan Relocation scheme for certain posts On-Site nursery On-site gym Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.



We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce.



These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.



Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.