Responsibilities
Position Details:
School or Department: College of Social Sciences, Health Services and Management Centre
Location: The University of Birmingham
Grade/Band: Grade 6
Hourly rate: £16.92 plus holiday entitlement
Casual contract from: 05/01/2026 - TBC
Advert closing date: Thursday 11 th December 2026 at 23:59pm
Number of positions available: 6
Please note that this vacancy may be taken down early depending on the number of applications received. We advise you to submit your application promptly.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we’re unable to contact all applicants individually. You can check the progress of your application by logging into the Worklink jobs portal using the same email address you used to apply. If you haven’t heard back within six weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
Our offer to you
People are at the heart of what we are and do.
The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.
The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.
Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham
Background
We are looking for a talented and highly motivated researcher to join the newly formed Emergency Preparedness and Response Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU), funded by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research. The HPRU is a partnership between the University of Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, the MoD’s Defence Public Health Unit, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This role aligns with the UK Health Security Agency’s strategic goals and NIHR’s EDI and community partnership frameworks.
Role Summary
The role-holder will provide research support for a rapid, five-month project focusing on chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats. This includes assisting with evidence synthesis, data collection, and analysis within their area of specialism, and contributing to the production of research outputs, such as academic publications. The post-holder will work collaboratively within the rapid CBRN project team to ensure key milestones and deliverables are met.
Main Duties
- Collect research data through methods including rapid evidence synthesis and systematic review, research interviews and focus groups, and workshops.
- Analyse research data as directed
- Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
- Develop or adapt techniques, models and methods
- Work as part of a team of research associates, research fellows, information specialists and senior academics
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
- Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of the research
- Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Degree or equivalent in relevant subject area
- Practical experience of using systematic evidence synthesis methodologies (e.g. rapid reviews, scoping reviews, systematic reviews), qualitative or quantitative data collection, public engagement
- Ability to analyse information and communicate effectively
- Ability to access and organise resources successfully
- 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
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of public health, emergency response or CBRN threats
Additional Information
For any informal queries, please contact Ameeta Retzer ( a.retzer@bham.ac.uk
)
View our staff values and behaviours here
Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.
The University of Birmingham restricts all students to working up to 20 hours per week during term time. If your application is successful and your course does not follow the usual academic term timetable (e.g. PGT, PGR or PhD student), you and your supervisor must formally agree vacation periods if this role exceeds 20 hours per week. In addition to this, please be aware if you are an International student you will be required to apply to the Registry for the appropriate Authorised Absence.
You are only eligible to apply to this role if you are a current University of Birmingham student. If you are not a University of Birmingham student your application will not be considered.
To work you will need to carry out a right to work check.These checks will need to be completed prior to work commencing. 
