Process Evaluation Social Scientist

Applications are invited for a Qualitative Researcher to work with Dr Charlotte Albury on an NIHR-funded policy research project, aiming to understand how the new ‘Healthy Weight Coach’ role is being integrated into primary care systems and practice. The Healthy Weight Coach role was set up to support people with obesity, offering advice and help to access weight loss services. The purpose of this project is to understand the implementation of this role; patients’ and practitioners’ experiences of the role; and the components of effective consultations about weight using a range of different methods. This work was commissioned by the Department for Health and Social Care and offers excising opportunity to contribute directly to heath policy.

The post is embedded in the thriving Health Behaviours team in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences (NDPCHS). The team work on interventions to prevent or treat ill-health by intervening on diet, obesity, and smoking. We have a strong track record of applied research that can benefit patients and lead to changes in the health system and a growing focus on using conversation analysis to understand health communication. NDPCHS research is led by internationally renowned scientists, many of whom are practising GPs and primary care clinicians or public health physicians, together with academics from a range of other disciplines including behavioural and social sciences, and humanities. Our research covers the broad range of issues that you might expect to address in the community, including cardiovascular and metabolic disease, cancer, infectious diseases and childhood illnesses, obesity, poor diet and smoking. We focus on understanding and improving the experiences of patients, rigorously evaluating the effectiveness of treatments and diagnostics, utilising big data, developing digital health interventions and working internationally. We have methodological expertise in clinical trial design and implementation, clinical decision making and diagnostics, epidemiology, medical statistics, behavioural science, modelling, qualitative research and the wider application of social science theory and methods to address practical and theoretical challenges in health and care settings.

The successful applicant will have excellent knowledge of qualitative data collection and analysis methods, including conversation analysis. Responsibilities will include undertaking a variety of qualitative analysis methods including thematic analysis, conversation analysis and content analysis. You will also be responsible for conducting interviews with patients, triangulating data and writing up reports, papers and blogs for the study. This project involves collaborating closely with colleagues from the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), and from other universities

You will hold a PhD/DPhil in a relevant field (or be close to completion), and have qualitative experience including training in, and knowledge of, conversation analysis.

You will be based in the Radcliffe Primary Care Building or Gibson Building of the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Radcliffe Primary Care Building, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG as your normal place of work but there may be the opportunity for occasional remote working.

The position is funded by the NIHR Policy Research programme until 29 February 2028, with the possibility for extension.

For further information or discuss the post please contact Charlotte Albury [email protected].

“Committed to equality and valuing diversity”

You will be required to upload a CV and Supporting Statement as part of your online application. The Supporting Statement should include a cover letter and should also clearly describe how you meet each of the selection criteria listed in the job description. Click here for information and advice on writing an effective Supporting Statement. Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your application.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Wednesday 28 October 2026.

Interviews are expected to be held during the week commencing 23 November 2026.