Research Fellow - Department of Applied Health Sciences - 106598 - Grade 7

Job Description

Position Details

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.

• The primary outcome is objectively confirmed VTE.
• Secondary outcomes include bleeding events, mortality, other thrombotic events, net clinical benefit, adherence, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness.
• The process evaluation will assess how the intervention is delivered, accepted, and experienced, generating insights into implementation and translation into routine practice.
  
  

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

The responsibilities may include some, but not all of the responsibilities outlined below:

• 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

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

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Agnieszka Ignatowicz, email: a.m.ignatowicz@bham.ac.uk

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .