Introduction

The COVID-19 crisis has brought with it many challenges, but few have been as striking as those facing care homes.

Working in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners, THIS Institute is seeking to appoint a fellow to lead a study aimed at co-producing a vision for high quality primary care for people who live in care homes and a theory of change for how it might be achieved within current structures and resources.

Applications are invited from individuals currently in post at UK universities or other research-intensive environment (eg charity, non-profit think tank or NHS organisation). The successful applicant will remain employed by their own university or organisation, and will be part of a vibrant professional learning community supported by THIS Institute.

The fellowship should be completed in 12-15 months, and can be undertaken full-time or part-time (minimum 0.6 FTE). It is expected that the fellowship will begin during Spring 2021.

What we offer

The award will include salary costs and research expenses directly relevant to the project up to a maximum of £120K.

It is expected, at a minimum, that a university or organisation will use the funding to pay for:

• Salary costs for the fellow including all on-costs (superannuation, NI and apprenticeship levy).
• Research costs (e.g. items of small equipment, data access, transcription costs, meeting costs, and expenses for service-user participants).
• Participation costs and expenses. Please consider the costs for engagement with a diverse range of participants and stakeholders. Examples might include costs for translation services, accessibility support etc.
• Dissemination and publication costs, for example open-access publications.

The appointed fellow will be offered a professional development programme which will be discussed on award and customised to the specifics of the fellow’s needs, commitments, and fellowship duration. The programme may include, for example, membership of a learning set, coaching, and/or mentoring. Full engagement with the agreed programme will be expected.

Who can apply?

Candidates from any UK university or research-intensive environment (eg charity, non-profit think tank or NHS organisation) may apply to the scheme. More than one application per organisation can be submitted.

Applicants should be already in post in their employing organisation and should be experienced researchers. They may be at any career stage but should have a good track record in research in a relevant area. Those in clinical speciality training will be responsible for making their own arrangements with the relevant deanery or Local Education and Training Board, or equivalent, where appropriate.

All applications must be submitted via our Fellowship Management System. All applications should have organisational support and be approved by a budgetary authority/finance office. For further information please refer to the guidance for applicants.

What we’re looking for

• Experienced and skilled qualitative researchers who can lead the project independently while sustaining excellent relationships with care home residents and families, care home staff, primary care clinicians and staff, and stakeholders in the health and social care system.
• Applicants should have a background in primary care and/or social care research. Applicants may have a clinical or non-clinical background.
• Applicants should have a PhD in a relevant area (e.g. social science, social policy, health services research, public health, primary care, health psychology, or other related areas) or, exceptionally, equivalent postgraduate research experience.
• Good publications record for stage of career, including peer-reviewed qualitative research publications.

How to apply

All applications must be submitted via our Fellowship Management System. All applications should have organisational support and be approved by a budgetary authority/finance office. For further information please refer to the guidance for applicants.

Application stages

1. Before you apply

We encourage you to check that your application is eligible and competitive by reading the guidance for applicants. Applicants will be required to agree to THIS Institute’s standard Themed Fellowships Award Conditions at the time of application.

2. Submit your application

All applications must be submitted online through the Fellowship Management System by 12 noon on 22 January 2021. Late submissions will not be accepted.

3. Review and shortlisting

Applications will be checked initially for eligibility and completeness, and assessed by an expert panel against the selection criteria included in the guidance for applicants.

4. Interview

Short-listed applicants may optionally be invited for interview at the discretion of the panel.

5. Final decision

All applicants will be notified of the funding decision.