Job Description

Imagine shaping research that has the potential to transform healthcare. At THIS Institute (The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute), we believe efforts to improve care should always be grounded in the highest quality evidence and informed by the people who design, deliver, and receive care.


As our Senior Research Engagement and Involvement Manager, you will lead the development, delivery, and evaluation of our engagement and involvement activities. You will ensure that our research is shaped by healthcare staff, patients, policymakers, and academics to provide clarity on what works in improving healthcare, what does not, and why.


You'll build the infrastructure needed to embed meaningful participation, engagement, and involvement throughout our work. This includes establishing and overseeing a large network of patients and members of the public as well as supporting research teams to convene project-specific advisory groups, overseeing our event programme, and designing creative study recruitment and strategies - including the development of online networks and multimedia approaches - that reach the right people.


Beyond infrastructure, you will shape strategy. Your work will span the institute's entire research portfolio from initial grant application through to dissemination. You'll work closely with research teams to embed engagement and involvement at every stage of the research lifecycle, build partnerships with national and local networks, and champion equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout all our activities. As a core member of THIS Institute's Engagement and Involvement Advisory Committee, you will provide strategic guidance to the institute's executive committee on the design, development, delivery, and dissemination of our research.


We are looking for a strategic thinker who can bridge academic complexity and practical realities, communicating ideas in ways that inspire meaningful participation and involvement. You will have experience in research engagement and involvement policies, practices, and evaluation, as well as building strategic partnerships to deliver organisational objectives. The successful candidate will join a collaborative and mission-focused team.


The funding for this post is available until 31 March 2027.


This is a full-time position, but we welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements. Please clearly state your preferred working pattern in your application.


Location - Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Strangeways Research Laboratory, Worts Causeway, Cambridge CB1 8RN (approximately 2 miles south of the city centre).



Informal enquiries can be made to Danielle Doyle via danielle.doyle@thisinstitute.cam.ac.uk


Closing date: 26 January 2026


Interview date: 10 February 2026


Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.


Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.


For information about how your personal data is used as an applicant, please see the section on Applicant Data (https://www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/hr-staff/hr-data/applicant-data) on our HR web pages.


Please quote reference RH48467 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.


The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.


The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.



Key information

Department/location

Department of Public Health and Primary Care, THIS Institute

Salary

42,254-56,535

Reference

RH48467

Category

Academic-related

Date published

8 January 2026

Closing date

26 January 2026