Fixed Term Part Time Research Fellow - School of Health (1 year)

Job Summary

The School of Health at Robert Gordon University (RGU) is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to the post of fixed term research fellow to support the project ‘Understanding Nature-Based Social Prescribing and Loneliness in Rural Communities.’

Loneliness is increasingly recognised as a significant public health challenge, particularly within rural communities where geographic isolation, limited access to services, and demographic change exacerbate social disconnection. This project, delivered in partnership with Wild Things! (a long-established environmental education and nature-connection charity), examines whether structured nature-based programmes can strengthen social connectedness, reduce loneliness, and enhance wellbeing in rural North-East Scotland.

Combining validated survey measures with in-depth qualitative interviews, the study explores how participants engage with nature-based interventions, how they understand loneliness and social isolation, and which aspects of outdoor engagement yield the most meaningful psychosocial benefits. Findings will directly inform the development of future interventions, service models, and policy recommendations and will support the design of a planned multi-site Phase 2 study and associated funding application.

We are seeking a Research Fellow to join the project team and contribute to the design, coordination, and delivery of this mixed-methods study with an emphasis on qualitative interviews and methodology. Working closely with the Joint Principal Investigators, Wild Things! practitioners, and community stakeholders, the postholder will support data collection, lead elements of analysis, and play an active role in producing academic, policy, and practice-facing outputs.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for a developing researcher to consolidate their mixed-methods expertise, contribute to a growing programme of loneliness, nature-based interventions, and rural health research, and gain experience engaging with community organisations and interdisciplinary research teams. The School of Health has a vibrant and growing multidisciplinary research culture, and benefits from cross-school and external collaborations. This role will be based primarily within the School of Health at RGU, and the role will involve travel throughout Grampian for data collection purposes.

Informal enquiries are welcomed, please contact Dr Nick Adams or Dr Emma MacIver, joint principal investigators: Dr Nick Adams – n.adams5@rgu.ac.uk Dr Emma MacIver – e.maciver@rgu.ac.uk

Employment is conditional on candidates, if deemed necessary, passing a pre-employment medical and undertaking ongoing health surveillance throughout the course of their employment. This is required in order to support our duty of care under health and safety statute and to ensure that the candidates are able to carry out the functions required by the role.

In keeping with RGU's commitment to work/life balance you will have the opportunity to work in a hybrid manner in line with RGU’s hybrid working policy, 46 days annual leave (including statutory days) an onsite nursery and sports centre, as well as a range of voluntary health and travel benefits.

We are committed to attracting and engaging a diverse range of staff and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome, comfortable to express their ideas, and can reach their full potential. For more information, please visit Our Diverse Workforce pages.

This post is subject to the individual being required to join the PVG scheme. For more information, visit: https://www.mygov.scot/pvg-scheme/

Interviews will take place 4th February 2026.

To apply, please submit your CV along with a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role against the requirements set out in the person specification (maximum 3 pages).

 

JOB DESCRIPTION

RESPONSIBLE TO: Associate Dean

RESPONSIBLE FOR: No line management responsibility

PURPOSE OF POST: Contributes to all aspects of research study delivery

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

The duties and responsibilities relate to those required for successful conduct of the study, including:

• Coordinating and delivering quantitative data collection, including survey design, recruitment, distribution, and data management.

• Conducting qualitative interviews using a trauma-informed, participant-centred approach.

• Performing statistical analyses using validated scales (e.g., UCLA Loneliness Scale, WEMWBS, QOLS) and appropriate analytic software (SPSS, R, STATA).

• Leading thematic qualitative analysis using NVivo and contributing to mixed-methods integration.

• Working collaboratively and liaising/coordinating with Wild Things! and other community partners to support recruitment, engagement, and dissemination.

• Preparing written outputs including reports, policy briefings, and academic publications.

• Presenting findings at academic conferences, practitioner events, and community meetings.

• Contributing to ethics applications, research governance processes, and safeguarding procedures.

• Supporting the preparation of follow-on grant applications, including the development of a Phase 2 multi-site programme of research.

 

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

PhD in a relevant discipline e.g., Psychology, Public Health, Social Sciences, Human Geography, Sociology, Gender Studies, Social Work

Knowledge

Knowledge of mixed methods research

Experience

Experience of conducting mixed-methods research

Experience of quantitative analysis using relevant software

Experience of qualitative thematic analysis.

Experience working with community organisations or in applied research settings.

 

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge

Understanding of rural health inequalities and community engagement.

Experience

Experience researching loneliness, social prescribing, mental health, or nature-based interventions.

Experience of contributing to funding applications.

Experience of translating research findings into policy-relevant formats.

 

Behaviours

Behaviour 1: Communication - Ability to receive, understand and convey information requiring careful explanation and information of a complex or conceptual nature, in a clear and accurate manner

Behaviour 2: Analysis and Research - Experience of developing hypotheses and concepts to explain data, events and phenomena, and reporting findings to a wider community

Behaviour 3: Pastoral Care and Welfare - Experience of calming and reassuring those with work/study related problems who may be experiencing distress and dealing with difficult welfare situations or confidential matters 

Behaviour 4: Liaison and Networking - Experience of  circulating information in an accurate and timely manner,  working across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships and leading and developing internal networks to pursue a shared interest

Behaviour 5: Initiative and Problem Solving - Experience of using initiative and creativity to resolve problems, identifying practical and suitable solutions.

Behaviour 6: Decision Making - Experience of using own judgement to make decisions, making collaborative decisions with others to reach conclusions and providing advice or information that will influence the decisions of others