Research Fellow - NIHR London ARC Postdoctoral Researcher

The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) London is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Research Inclusion team, led by Professor Tushna Vandrevala at Kingston University. The post is an NIHR Career Development Award, with a planned start date of 1 December 2026.

NIHR ARCs bring together universities, NHS organisations, local authorities, health and care providers, voluntary and community organisations, and the public to deliver applied research that improves health and social care services and outcomes.

The ARC London Research Inclusion theme aims to strengthen inclusive research practices, address structural barriers to participation and ensure research better reflects and benefits London's diverse and underserved communities.

Based within Kingston University's School of Nursing, Allied and Public Health, you will play a leading role in delivering Research Inclusion initiatives across London. Working collaboratively with academic, NHS, local authority, VCSE and community partners, you will:

• Design, deliver and evaluate research inclusion projects involving underserved communities.
• Develop evidence-informed approaches, practical resources and guidance to embed inclusive research practices.
• Build partnerships and support training and capacity-building across the research community.
• Contribute to academic publications, knowledge mobilisation activities and future research funding proposals.

Career development opportunities

This NIHR Career Development Award offers an opportunity to develop your interdisciplinary research profile and progress towards research independence and leadership.

Our ARC London Career Development Award holders will have regular networking opportunities and be members of the NIHR Academy (benefits of academy membership), with access to networking and professional development opportunities. These include a personalised development plan, peer mentorship, research leadership activities and opportunities to apply for training and development funding.

You will also benefit from support in research inclusion, patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE), implementation science and knowledge mobilisation.

The Person

You will normally hold a PhD in a relevant discipline or have submitted your thesis for examination by the time of application and expect it to be awarded before taking up the post. You will have a strong track record in applied health or social care research. You will have experience or a strong interest in research inclusion, health inequalities and working with underserved populations.

We particularly welcome candidates with experience of co-production, PPIE, participatory research or community partnerships. You will be able to design and deliver high-quality research, collaborate across professional and community settings, and communicate findings effectively to academic and non-academic audiences.

You will demonstrate strong research integrity, organisational and communication skills, and a commitment to making research more inclusive and accessible. This role would suit an ambitious researcher seeking to develop their research leadership while contributing to meaningful change in health and social care research.

We welcome applications from researchers across a range of disciplinary backgrounds.

The Faculty

School of Nursing , Allied and Public Health

Our people are passionate about developing nurses for the future, in each of the four fields of nursing – adult, children, learning disability and mental health.

We support our students to ensure they get the skills and knowledge they need to make a lasting impact on society.

We also have access to industry-leading research for nursing and health professions.

Further information

This is a part time (29.60 hours per week), fixed term position available until 31 March 2031 with a starting salary of £36,740 per annum (80% pro rata to £45,925 per annum). 

Interviews are expected to be held on Tuesday 17 November 2026.

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Tushna Vandrevala.

Applicants may also contact ARC London Research Capacity Development Lead, Professor Priscilla Harries to explore their suitability for these career development awards.

Further information: Opportunities for NIHR Academy Members supported in our Infrastructure and Capacity Building Structures  

Bring your true self, expertise, and passion to Kingston where we are continuing to strive to build a university where authentic inclusion and belonging is at its heart. Every one of our staff and students’ identities, backgrounds and diverse experiences makes us who we are - so harness and embrace yours by applying today. We welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ communities and those with disabilities.

We are a place-based organisation, proud of our location in Kingston and the civic role we play in our community. Our campuses inspire collaborative, innovative and creative communities. Being present on campus is important to us because it helps us to create a sense of belonging for both our staff and students. Therefore, staff are expected to be on campus for the majority of their working week.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Where required, this may include entry clearance or continued leave to remain under the Points Based Immigration Scheme. 

To apply click on ‘Apply Now’. If, for accessibility reasons, you need to apply in an alternative format, please email jobs@kingston.ac.uk or call the HR Shared Services team on 020 8417 3118.