The primary role of the Research Associate will be conducting qualitative research activities for a project funded by the Cancer Research UK International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection (ACED). ACED is an international collaboration between the University of Manchester, University of Cambridge, University College London, the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Harvard University, and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). ACED was established in 2019 and renewed in 2025 with a further £50million investment in early cancer detection research over the next five years. ACED has four key themes in the next quinquennium of the Alliance: Inequalities, Interception, Immunology, and Hereditary cancers.
The post is available for 12 months in the first instance, starting on the 1st of September 2025. You will join a multi-disciplinary team of researchers at the University of Manchester and University College London and have the opportunity to take advantage of training and collaboration activities within ACED.
This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a project focused on inequalities in cancer early detection in UK primary care. The role will involve recruiting patients and clinicians from primary care settings for qualitative interviews. The RA will conduct one-to-one interviews, undertake focused ethnography observing patients with concerning symptoms accessing primary care, analyse qualitative data, and help prepare summary reports and manuscripts for peer review publications.
You will need to hold a PhD that includes training in qualitative research methods. You will have experience with conducting qualitative interviews and ethnography, analysing qualitative data, and preparing research reports and manuscripts for submission to peer review academic journals. Experience with recruiting patients for research participation in healthcare settings, cancer-related research, and patient & public involvement (PPI) is highly desirable.
What you will get in return:
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: Dr Sam Merriel
Email: samuel.merriel@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.
Read Full Description