University of Manchester

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Research Associate (PDRA) to join a multidisciplinary team to evaluate a digital health service technological intervention using mixed methods.

Health inequalities remain a major issue in the UK, with deprived and ethnically diverse communities experiencing significantly worse outcomes. One key contributor is poor data sharing between hospitals and general practices, which leads to missed or delayed diagnoses, inadequate disease management, and preventable deaths. These communities are also more likely to rely on emergency care, making effective information transfer between healthcare sites crucial for these patients. When this transfer is lacking, it can drive inequitable follow-up after discharge, worsening conditions and increase the risk of developing comorbidities.

This project aims to evaluate the impact of a digital technology that automates the transfer of structured diagnosis codes between care sites, helping to reduce disparities in post-discharge support. Focusing on high-burden CVD-related conditions it will assess:

• Improvements in primary care diagnosis coding completeness, consistency, and accuracy across diverse populations.
• The impact on care pathways and adherence to clinical follow-up guidelines.
• The role of improved coding in reducing healthcare inequity.
• Clinician perspectives on acceptability and workload.
• The health economic impact, particularly for disadvantaged populations.

By integrating epidemiology, health psychology, and health economics, this research will provide critical evidence for NHS-wide adoption. Strengthening data sharing will enable equity-driven routine follow-up in the community, tackling systemic health inequalities at scale.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Victoria Palin

Email: victoria.palin@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.