Senior Research Associate, School and community connections study: co-production and school eng

Senior Research Associate, School and community connections study: co-production and school engagement lead

Lancaster Medical School

Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK

Salary: £39,906 to £48,882, Full‑Time / Indefinite with End Date

Closing Date: Monday 16 February 2026

We are seeking to appoint a full‑time Senior Research Associate for an 18‑month fixed‑term contract. You will join Lancaster Medical School and work with Dr Trystan Leng on a school‑based contact study that maps where pupils interact both inside and outside of school. You will lead the co‑production and school engagement components of the study.

• Develop and deliver co‑production activities with pupils, teachers and other stakeholders, shaping the design of study surveys, interviews and dissemination materials.
• Ensure research tools and outputs reflect pupil and school preferences, needs, values and contextual factors.
• Synthesise outputs from the co‑design process and the contact study to produce engagement materials for schools.
• Support wider project dissemination and produce engagement materials for schools.
• Depending on experience, contribute to project coordination and school liaison in a project‑management capacity.
• Collaborate with colleagues at Lancaster Medical School, the Centre for Applied Education Research (University of Leeds) and the Department for Education’s science team.
• Manage travel between Lancaster University and research sites (primarily in Bradford) and maintain a flexible working arrangement where possible.

• PhD in (or equivalent experience) in public health, social sciences, education, epidemiology or a related discipline.
• Experience in co‑design or co‑production methods, preferably with school‑based research.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage pupils, teachers and other stakeholders.
• Evidence of project coordination or liaison skills is desirable.
• Commitment to the principles of the Wellcome Early Career Award and the study’s objectives.

Benefits include a competitive salary, a supportive research environment within a top‑10 UK university, family‑friendly and flexible working policies, and a Silver Athena SWAN award for gender equality. You will be a member of the Faculty of Health and Medicine (FHM) at Lancaster University, benefiting from a vibrant research culture and extensive employee support networks.

The post is available from 11 March 2026. Applicants from all backgrounds are welcome; we support flexible working requests. Please submit your application online. Email details can be sent to a friend if required.

For more information, please contact Dr Trystan Leng ().