Research Associate (Health & the Environment)

About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to develop research into the impact of air pollution, environmental noise and other environmental factors on cardiovascular health. It builds on our current work including literature reviews, datasets and an exercise app developed as part of the ESA funded Personalised Space Technology Exercise Platform (P-STEP) project (a smartphone app for people with long-term health conditions promoting outside walking which provides air quality information on the routes they take). Working with experts from both the Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability and Cardiovascular Sciences the post-holder will develop new research on the impacts of environmental pollutants on response to exercise in those with pre-existing disease.  An example might be designing and running a pilot study using the P-STEP app to look at impact of air pollution on cardiac rhythm during exercise in those with cardiovascular disease, with potential to develop into a grant application.
This role is funded by the NIHR Leicester BRC, which is a partnership between the University of Leicester, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Loughborough University and the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group. It has been funded £26.1 million from December 2022 to November 2027 to carry out pioneering research into medical advancements into illnesses linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease and the consequences of inactivity will continue to push boundaries of knowledge in clinical medicine. Three new speciality areas have joined the NIHR Leicester BRC for the first time: Personalised cancer prevention and treatment, Environment – looking at how the environment impacts on long term health conditions - and Using data to better understand multiple long term health conditions and factors specific to the health of ethnic minority populations. In addition, the respiratory speciality is joined by experts in infectious diseases.    
Our overall purpose is to translate scientific breakthroughs in these areas into diagnostic tests, preventions and life-saving treatments for our patients. We do this by creating a collaborative workspace that allows scientists and clinicians to share their findings and deliver research that is relevant to both patients and the professionals who treat them.
At Leicester BRC, we are committed to working with all experts, and the patient is the most important expert of all. A large group of local people interested in our work help us plan and deliver our research with insight into the experience of living with illness.  
About you
You will hold a PhD (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline, for example, but not limited to physical activity, physiology, cardiovascular science, molecular biology, environmental science, or statistics/data science. Or you will have the equivalent professional qualification and experience. We are looking for a candidate who has experience of contributing to peer-reviewed research outputs and expertise in relevant approaches/models and analytical techniques.

Additional information

Informal enquiries to Rachel Hobson [email protected] or Hayley King [email protected]. 

 As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here .

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change , which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.
 
As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.
 
We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.