Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Physical Activity
| Posting date: | 24 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £40,497 to £45,413 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Fixed term till 28/02/2030 |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 17 March 2026 |
| Location: | Bradford, West Yorkshire |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | University of Bradford |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | HR0195093-3 |
Summary
University of Bradford
At the University of Bradford, our focus is on creating the conditions for social, cultural, and economic impact. We are committed to social inclusion. Our work to expand opportunity and enable students to reach their potential, has led to us topping the Social Mobility Index of English universities for the last four years. Our University Strategy sets out our ambitions for 2025, which we will achieve by using our proud heritage as a springboard and remaining steadfast in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Safeguarding
The University of Bradford is committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and Adults at Risk through robust safer recruitment practices. An enhanced DBS check is required for this role.
Research Institute
The successful candidate will join the Applied Health and Wellbeing team in the Research Institute for Health and Social Care. You will work alongside a thriving community of physical activity researchers at the forefront of applied research in whole-school and whole-system physical activity for children and young people. Our research team works alongside other areas of excellence, such as the Mental Health Research Centre for children and young people. Showcasing our standing in the field, we organised the world’s first whole-school physical activity conference in 2024.
What you will be doing:
NIHR-funded 3.75-year post (until Feb 2030) offering exceptional stability and developmental scope.
You will work closely with our partners at the Universities of Cambridge, York, Loughborough, and the Research Schools Network to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and implementation of Creating Active Schools in Bradford.
You will co-coordinate large-scale quantitative data collection, lead a field team, engage schools and families, and contribute to high-quality publications, innovative dissemination, and wider policy impact.
Qualifications/ experience:
A PhD in applied health research, ideally with a specialism in physical activity.
Experience of working with schools, school stakeholders, parents and young people in a research context.
Experience of working with traditional physical activity data collection methods, including accelerometery and questionnaires
Do not meet every single requirement? We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with everything in the job description or advert, we encourage you to arrange an informal conversation with the hiring manager. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Celebrating Diversity – The University of Bradford
Within the Institute of Health and Social Care, there is low representation of BAME women, and therefore, we welcome applications from individuals who represent these categories.
At the University of Bradford, we recognise and embrace people that work in diverse ways so if you need any adjustments to our recruitment process, please speak to the recruitment team who will be happy to support you.
In Return we Offer:
25 days holiday and 13 statutory and customary days (taken at Easter and Christmas).
Family-friendly policies
Great campus facilities including:
Unique fitness centre
Eye clinic
Physiotherapy & sports rehabilitation,
Counselling & mental health services
On site nursery
Food & drink outlets
Generous employer contribution pension schemes - Universities Superannuation Scheme
Generous benefit schemes, including car leasing, cycle to work, holiday purchase, home & technology scheme and shopping discounts
Find more information about the many other benefits, including salary sacrifice schemes and campus nursery.
Additional Information:
If you would like to find out more or are interested in applying, please email Professor Andy Daly-Smith (a.daly-smith@bradfordf.ac.uk), we would love to hear from you.
At the University of Bradford, our focus is on creating the conditions for social, cultural, and economic impact. We are committed to social inclusion. Our work to expand opportunity and enable students to reach their potential, has led to us topping the Social Mobility Index of English universities for the last four years. Our University Strategy sets out our ambitions for 2025, which we will achieve by using our proud heritage as a springboard and remaining steadfast in our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Safeguarding
The University of Bradford is committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and Adults at Risk through robust safer recruitment practices. An enhanced DBS check is required for this role.
Research Institute
The successful candidate will join the Applied Health and Wellbeing team in the Research Institute for Health and Social Care. You will work alongside a thriving community of physical activity researchers at the forefront of applied research in whole-school and whole-system physical activity for children and young people. Our research team works alongside other areas of excellence, such as the Mental Health Research Centre for children and young people. Showcasing our standing in the field, we organised the world’s first whole-school physical activity conference in 2024.
What you will be doing:
NIHR-funded 3.75-year post (until Feb 2030) offering exceptional stability and developmental scope.
You will work closely with our partners at the Universities of Cambridge, York, Loughborough, and the Research Schools Network to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and implementation of Creating Active Schools in Bradford.
You will co-coordinate large-scale quantitative data collection, lead a field team, engage schools and families, and contribute to high-quality publications, innovative dissemination, and wider policy impact.
Qualifications/ experience:
A PhD in applied health research, ideally with a specialism in physical activity.
Experience of working with schools, school stakeholders, parents and young people in a research context.
Experience of working with traditional physical activity data collection methods, including accelerometery and questionnaires
Do not meet every single requirement? We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with everything in the job description or advert, we encourage you to arrange an informal conversation with the hiring manager. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Celebrating Diversity – The University of Bradford
Within the Institute of Health and Social Care, there is low representation of BAME women, and therefore, we welcome applications from individuals who represent these categories.
At the University of Bradford, we recognise and embrace people that work in diverse ways so if you need any adjustments to our recruitment process, please speak to the recruitment team who will be happy to support you.
In Return we Offer:
25 days holiday and 13 statutory and customary days (taken at Easter and Christmas).
Family-friendly policies
Great campus facilities including:
Unique fitness centre
Eye clinic
Physiotherapy & sports rehabilitation,
Counselling & mental health services
On site nursery
Food & drink outlets
Generous employer contribution pension schemes - Universities Superannuation Scheme
Generous benefit schemes, including car leasing, cycle to work, holiday purchase, home & technology scheme and shopping discounts
Find more information about the many other benefits, including salary sacrifice schemes and campus nursery.
Additional Information:
If you would like to find out more or are interested in applying, please email Professor Andy Daly-Smith (a.daly-smith@bradfordf.ac.uk), we would love to hear from you.