Research Fellow - Pharmacy First (x 2)

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is a world-leading centre for research and postgraduate education in public and global health. 

We are seeking to appoint two researchers to work on an exciting national evaluation of the new NHS Pharmacy First programme in England, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The successful candidates will join a highly experienced, multi-disciplinary team of researchers from LSHTM, University of Oxford, University of Manchester, UK Health Security Agency and the University of Nottingham. The team is jointly led by Professor Nicholas Mays and Dr Rebecca Glover of LSHTM.

Pharmacy First incorporates and extends the previous Community Pharmacist Consultation Service and enables community pharmacists to manage seven common infections following specific clinical pathways. Pharmacists can support self-care, supply over the counter medicines and prescribe prescription-only medicines via Patient Group Directives (PGDs). 

The evaluation will look at the acceptability, safety, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and impact on antibiotic resistance of the programme. The study will be carried out in collaboration with key groups, including patients, service providers, and policymakers.  

You will have a postgraduate degree, ideally a doctoral degree, in a relevant topic; have experience in designing, implementing, analysing and writing up the findings of qualitative and/or applied policy research, and the ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with the wider research team. Quantitative research and/or mixed-methods research experience is desirable. 

The posts are full-time, 35 hours per week, 1.0 FTE and fixed term until 31 January 2027. The posts are available from 1 June 2024.

Interviews are expected to take place in April.

The salary will be on the Academic Pathway salary scale Grade 6 in the range £43,947  - £49,908 per annum (inclusive of London Weighting). The post will be subject to the LSHTM terms and conditions of service. Annual leave entitlement is 30 working days per year, pro rata for part time staff. In addition to this there are discretionary “Wellbeing Days”. Membership of the Pension Scheme is available. The post is based in London at LSHTM.

Applications should be made on-line by clicking 'Apply' above. Online applications will be accepted by the automated system until 10pm of the closing date. Any queries regarding the application process may be addressed to [email protected] .

The supporting statement section should set out how your qualifications, experience and training meet each of the selection criteria. Please provide one or more paragraphs addressing each criterion. The supporting statement is an essential part of the selection process and thus a failure to provide this information will mean that the application will not be considered. An answer to any of the criteria such as "Please see attached CV" will not be considered acceptable. 

Please note that if you are shortlisted and are unable to attend on the interview date it may not be possible to offer you an alternative date.

Further details:   Job Description

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We believe that when people feel respected and included, they can be more creative, successful, and happier at work. While we have more work to do, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace, a community that everyone feels a part of, which is safe, respectful, supportive and enables all to reach their full potential.