Research Fellow: Centre for Appearance Research (UNITS SOCIAL Study)
| Posting date: | 28 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £38,784 to £46,049 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 04 February 2026 |
| Location: | Bristol, South West England |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 4 days per week |
| Company: | University West of England |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | R09005 |
Summary
The Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) is looking to appoint a part time Research Fellow (0.6fte) to join a team of researchers on a fixed term project, funded by The Scar Free Foundation, which is evaluating a self-help guide for managing difficult social situations, adapted to the needs of those who had sustained Appearance Altering Injuries (AAI) in the military context.
CAR has a been a world leader in visible difference research for more than 30 years, and it is the world’s largest group of researchers focussing on psychosocial issues around appearance and body image. The project is a collaboration between CAR and RAND Europe, a not-for-profit research organisation with a mission to improve governmental strategy, policy and decision making through research. Globally, RAND is the world’s largest non-profit research organisation and has over 75 years of experience conducting research across a range of policy areas.
The position involves working with key stakeholders, including staff at charitable organisations that support military veterans and national and regional level.
About you
We are looking to appoint a researcher who shares our passion and enthusiasm for applied research that makes a real difference. You will be working with researchers at CAR and RAND Europe who collectively have expertise around visible difference, military research, and the experiences and support needs of military veterans with appearance-altering injuries.
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated researcher with an interest in impactful psychosocial and military research.
Where you will be working
UWE Bristol is a campus-based University, with vibrant campus communities that are central to student life.
In this role, you’ll be based at our modern Frenchay Campus where we’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities designed to help both staff and students succeed.
This role is typically campus based for a minimum of 1 day per week, with the opportunity to work from home on the remaining days.
Why UWE Bristol?
We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe. Based in vibrant Bristol, our ambitions are to make a positive difference to our planet, transforming futures through actions and solving real world challenges.
We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, very generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development
Add your individuality to ours
UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community.
We’re part of a vibrant, multicultural city and welcome talented people from all backgrounds. Diversity is our strength, enhancing creativity, decision making, and problem solving. Join our supportive community and thrive.
We particularly encourage applications from global majority and male candidates as we are currently under-represented in this area, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit.
As a Disability Confident employer we welcome applications from those who identify as having a disability.
Further information
If you would like an informal discussion about this opportunity please contact Diana Harcourt at Diana2.Harcourt@uwe.ac.uk
Interviews are scheduled to take place at our Frenchay Campus on the 25th February 2026.
This is a fixed-term post until 31st March 2027 in the first instance, and is part-time work (0.6 FTE).
This post is not available on a job share basis.
Right to Work in the UK - If offered a role, you will need to provide valid documentation confirming your right to work in the UK before employment begins. Guidance on acceptable documents is available via the Home Office Right to Work Checklist. This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
Candidates without current Right to Work who are not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship or another Global Talent visa route, may wish to look into the Global Talent Peer Review route. This is a self-application process and is subject to you meeting qualifying criteria.
You may also wish to explore other visa options which will allow you to work in the UK.
Please note that UWE Bristol does not cover any visa or health surcharge costs.
Next Steps
We’d love to hear from you - if this role excites you, please complete our application form as soon as possible and tell us how your skills and experience meet the criteria listed in the Person Specification, using clear and relevant examples wherever possible.
We’ll keep you informed of the outcome by email once shortlisting is complete.
CAR has a been a world leader in visible difference research for more than 30 years, and it is the world’s largest group of researchers focussing on psychosocial issues around appearance and body image. The project is a collaboration between CAR and RAND Europe, a not-for-profit research organisation with a mission to improve governmental strategy, policy and decision making through research. Globally, RAND is the world’s largest non-profit research organisation and has over 75 years of experience conducting research across a range of policy areas.
The position involves working with key stakeholders, including staff at charitable organisations that support military veterans and national and regional level.
About you
We are looking to appoint a researcher who shares our passion and enthusiasm for applied research that makes a real difference. You will be working with researchers at CAR and RAND Europe who collectively have expertise around visible difference, military research, and the experiences and support needs of military veterans with appearance-altering injuries.
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated researcher with an interest in impactful psychosocial and military research.
Where you will be working
UWE Bristol is a campus-based University, with vibrant campus communities that are central to student life.
In this role, you’ll be based at our modern Frenchay Campus where we’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities designed to help both staff and students succeed.
This role is typically campus based for a minimum of 1 day per week, with the opportunity to work from home on the remaining days.
Why UWE Bristol?
We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe. Based in vibrant Bristol, our ambitions are to make a positive difference to our planet, transforming futures through actions and solving real world challenges.
We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, very generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development
Add your individuality to ours
UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community.
We’re part of a vibrant, multicultural city and welcome talented people from all backgrounds. Diversity is our strength, enhancing creativity, decision making, and problem solving. Join our supportive community and thrive.
We particularly encourage applications from global majority and male candidates as we are currently under-represented in this area, however all appointments are made strictly on individual merit.
As a Disability Confident employer we welcome applications from those who identify as having a disability.
Further information
If you would like an informal discussion about this opportunity please contact Diana Harcourt at Diana2.Harcourt@uwe.ac.uk
Interviews are scheduled to take place at our Frenchay Campus on the 25th February 2026.
This is a fixed-term post until 31st March 2027 in the first instance, and is part-time work (0.6 FTE).
This post is not available on a job share basis.
Right to Work in the UK - If offered a role, you will need to provide valid documentation confirming your right to work in the UK before employment begins. Guidance on acceptable documents is available via the Home Office Right to Work Checklist. This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
Candidates without current Right to Work who are not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship or another Global Talent visa route, may wish to look into the Global Talent Peer Review route. This is a self-application process and is subject to you meeting qualifying criteria.
You may also wish to explore other visa options which will allow you to work in the UK.
Please note that UWE Bristol does not cover any visa or health surcharge costs.
Next Steps
We’d love to hear from you - if this role excites you, please complete our application form as soon as possible and tell us how your skills and experience meet the criteria listed in the Person Specification, using clear and relevant examples wherever possible.
We’ll keep you informed of the outcome by email once shortlisting is complete.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.