Research Fellow (1.0FTE/FTC 18 months)

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This is a full time/fixed term opportunity for 18 months

Glasgow Caledonian – the largest and leading modern university in Scotland - is a vibrant, values-led university with campuses in the heart of Glasgow and London. With a strong commitment to high quality education and research which supports the communities we serve, we have strong partnerships with employers to ensure our students get the careers they dream of and deserve.

Named UK Modern University of the Year for Graduate Jobs in the latest Daily Mail University Guide, and the top-ranked UK modern university in the Times and Sunday Times Guide 2026, we are a UK top 40 university according to these highly regarded guides. We are the only Scottish university with EcoCampus Platinum accreditation and were ranked first in Scotland for sustainability in the most recent People and Planet league table (2024).

With a wide range of professionally accredited courses and links with over 300 industry partners, we are the top university in Scotland for students in employment and/or further study within 15 months of graduating at 92% - with 78% of graduates in highly skilled occupations (HESA 2025). We are Scotland’s leading provider of Graduate Apprenticeships. We are committed to widening participation, helping more people from diverse backgrounds into university. Our modern campuses support nearly 23,000 students from 119 countries.

Our research is addressing many of today’s biggest global challenges. We are unsurpassed by any other Scottish modern university for the level of research (72%) considered to be world leading or internationally excellent, and our health research is surpassed only by King’s College London for outstanding impact (REF2021).

Guided by our values – integrity, responsibility, creativity and confidence - we transform the lives of the people and communities we serve.

The sexual health and blood borne virus (SHBBV) research group is a world leading interdisciplinary research group led by Professor Claudia Estcourt & Professor Sharon Hutchinson, with funding received from Scottish Government, NIHR, CSO, EPRC, ECDC and leading charities. Current studies are informing national and international guidelines and standards in STI & HIV/BBV testing and management. In June 2023, Glasgow Caledonian University won the Herald Higher Education award for best Research Programme of the Year, following the success of the Blood Borne Viruses Research Programme.

The current post offers a unique opportunity for the successful candidate to join the SHBBV research group and contribute to the development of evidence based interventions to inform Scottish targets of HIV transmission elimination and Hepatitis C elimination. This programme of work is led by Dr Becky Metcalfe, Senior Clinical Research Fellow at GCU and Consultant in Sexual Health & HIV, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde.

The main purpose of the role is to deliver high quality qualitative research as part of a newly awarded Scottish Government funded grant, “Evaluation of the Scottish Emergency Department (ED) opt out BBV testing Programme”. This is a mixed-methods study, in collaboration with Public Health Scotland and the University of Bristol, focused on optimising the implementation of BBV opt out testing in EDs by directly influencing that implementation in real time.

The post holder will be supported to collect qualitative data through interviews and online methods from NHS staff. They will be responsible for obtaining ethical and governance approvals prior to this work from appropriate organisations and for analysis and write up of the findings, producing material for dissemination and publication.

The role requires;

• A PhD in health psychology, medical sociology, nursing, public health, implementation science or related disciplines
• Experience of applying theories of behaviour change, particularly utilisation of the Theoretical Domains Framework and Behaviour Change Wheel.
• Excellent skills and demonstrable experience in qualitative data collection research methods
• Ability to write for scientific publication in high quality journals
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to consider a range of needs and experiences in formative research contributing to complex intervention design.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills, with ability to adapt style to suit different individuals and situations.
• Strong organisational skills with an interest in supporting others and their deliverables.
• Excellent IT skills with a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages and NVivo.
• Effective team working skills, plus the flexibility and ability to work independently and to use own initiative.

Further details on this post are available by contacting Dr Becky Metcalfe, Senior Clinical Research Fellow, (becky.metcalfe@gcu.ac.uk)

As the University for the Common Good, we are committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as our values in everything that we do. As such, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who demonstrate the GCU Values.

Glasgow Caledonian University is committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process that is free from bias so that we can attract and retain a high performing workforce which makes a critical contribution to our success​.

The University holds the prestigious Athena Swan Silver institution award, which recognises our significant record of activity and achievement in promoting gender equality across different disciplines.

The University holds the Race Equality Charter Bronze award, in recognition of our work to combat racism and support race equality.

As a Disability Confident 'Committed' employer, we are striving to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to disabled people. Although the Disability Confident 'Committed' level does not guarantee an interview for disabled applicants, we will make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants during the recruitment process.

The University also holds the ‘Carer Positive Established’ employer award, which recognises our commitment to supporting staff with caring responsibilities.

Glasgow Caledonian University are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant.

The University offers a range of benefits including opportunities for professional development, family friendly policies, cycle to work scheme and onsite childcare facilities.

Please note that the appointment will be made on the first point of the salary scale (unless by exception).