Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Embedded Researcher
| Posting date: | 10 June 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £47,754.00 to £52,805.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £47754.00 - £52805.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 04 July 2025 |
| Location: | Oldbury, B69 3DE |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | F0093-SAND8938 |
Summary
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is providing up to £5 million of funding to a number of local authorities to establish Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRCs) in their local areas. HDRCs aim to boost research capacity and capability within local government to embed a culture of always using evidence when making decisions. HDRCs use research findings to understand how Council decisions and initiatives impact on health and health inequalities. They also carry out research where evidence isnt already available. The Sandwell HDRC Better Research for Better Health is a partnership between SMBC, the University of Birmingham, and the voluntary & community sector. Our HDRC vision is to undertake evidence-informed, robustly evaluated activities that reflect the needs and values of our diverse local communities. The Sandwell HDRC will align with a borough-wide Levelling Up Programme to improve the wider determinants of health, ultimately leading to improved health of the local population. The HDRC aims to transform SMBCs research culture and infrastructure to: Make the best use of empirical evidence to inform decision-making and investment Robustly evaluate services to ensure quality, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness Facilitate research activity with partner organisations and local residents Effectively disseminate research outputs for wider influence This will be achieved by: Strengthening research and development capacity, resources and infrastructure Embedding a strong research culture for evidence-informed decision-making Developing robust systems and partnerships for cultural and knowledge exchange Creating a community-led research culture As one of two Embedded Researchers, you will work closely with academic partners and wider stakeholders, including local communities, to identify and take forward research priorities relating to the wider determinants of health. This will involve working across Council directorates and with external partners and stakeholders to strengthen research activity and culture, supporting the embedding of evidence-informed practice alongside effective evaluation of programmes, projects, services and interventions. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly across the HDRC and wider Council to support the development of research skills and culture across directorates, and to identify research priorities and opportunities that will make a positive contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of Sandwell residents. You will also be responsible for overseeing and managing evaluation of the HDRC programme of work, co-ordinating specialist input from internal and external partners including Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), the voluntary and community sector, and SMBC Directorates. The post would ideally suit a postdoctoral researcher looking to apply and develop their research skills in a Local Authority