The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The E-Immune research team, funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, wishes to recruit a highly motivated qualitative researcher to join a multidisciplinary research team co-designing and evaluating a novel digital health intervention to support self-management and care of people receiving immunotherapy for cancer.  

Immunotherapy has revolutionised treatment for certain cancers. However, in many patients, the great benefits of immunotherapy can be accompanied by unwanted side-effects which can be serious and even life-threatening. Our Programme will develop an optimised digital health approach to management of these side-effects, rigorously testing the new approach in a randomised clinical trial, with hope to roll out nationally.

You will play a key role in a large mixed methods project as a qualitative researcher conducting a process evaluation using interviews, focus groups and observations in several sites including Sheffield, Leeds, and across South and West Yorkshire and leading data analysis within the team. The project will provide opportunities for you to engage with cancer care practitioners, patients, public representing diverse communities and policy stakeholders, participate in generating research impact, and develop your own career within a supportive and flexible environment. You will be based in Weston Park Hospital as part of a cross faculty multidisciplinary team of researchers led by Professor Janet Brown with an international reputation for high impact research of outstanding scientific merit.

You should have excellent qualitative research skills, a good awareness of the principles of health services research and a strong interest in development and evaluation of digital health interventions in cancer care.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Familiarise with work in other aspects of the programme and how it integrates with your own work.
• Day-to-day responsibility for delivery of qualitative research on this extensive programme, providing advice, as appropriate, to other members of the programme team.
• Undertake qualitative data collection (face to face, on-line interviews, focus groups, observations). This will involve travel with travel expenses reimbursed (within university guidance) in Sheffield and South Yorkshire, Leeds and West Yorkshire.
• Set up and manage data collection and storage complying with university data governance procedures.
• Maintain accurate, detailed research records in confidential files accessible to team members.
• Conduct independent and collaborative analyses of research data for the programme.
• Collaborate with digital and clinical trial researchers to contribute to and co-lead complementary mixed methods research outputs: conference abstracts, presentations and publications associated with the programme.
• Contribute to dissemination of findings in tailored formats for varied audiences including academics, public, clinical practitioners and policy makers.
• Contribute to organisation of stakeholder and public engagement events as required by the programme.
• Contribute to the writing of research grant applications and scientific manuscripts.
• Carry out research administrative roles for the project and for E-IMMUNE as agreed, for example preparation of reports for meetings of the Programme Board.
• Critically appraise and maintain a reference database of relevant academic publications and policy documents.
• Engage in wider research activities such as seminars, symposia, conferences and supervision of students as agreed with the programme lead.
• Prioritise a varied workload to ensure timely completion of tasks. 
• Assist in the planning of project activities and review progress against milestones in collaboration with the leads. 
• Attend and contribute to project and research group meetings to ensure integration of your work with the team
• Support students and Professional Services staff as requested and appropriate.
• Engage in appropriate use of non-staff budget: travel costs, IT, office costs etc. in association with the Programme Administrator
• You will make a full and active contribution to the principles of the ‘Sheffield Academic’. These include the achievement of excellence in applied teaching and research, and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University’s achievements as a whole.
• As a staff member you are encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in November 2025. This will consist of an interview and presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by mid November 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact clinmed-staffing@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Criminal record

An enhanced DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.