Postdoctoral Qualitative Researcher

Applications are invited for a Post-doctoral Qualitative Researcher to join the Medical Sociology and Health Experiences Research Group (MS&HERG) within the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences. You will work on a study which aims to build a comprehensive understanding of UK patients’ experiences of endometriosis healthcare, integrated with understandings from professionals in primary care and specialist services, to identify opportunities to use this learning for improvements in care journeys.

The post is funded to deliver a newly awarded study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, Health and Social Care Delivery Research (NIHR HSDR), entitled ‘Understanding and improving endometriosis experiences: a qualitative study into patient and healthcare professionals’ experiences of management, diagnosis and treatment’. The Principal Investigator is Dr Abigail McNiven, and the wider project team includes Professor Christian Becker, Dr Emma Cox (CEO of Endometriosis UK), Dr Sharon Dixon, Ms Neelam Heera-Shergill (founder of Cysters), Dr Lisa Hinton, and Dr Katy Vincent.

Endometriosis is a long-term condition, involving the abnormal presence of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. It is associated with symptoms such as pelvic pain and fertility problems, and detrimental impacts on quality of life. NHS endometriosis patients have voiced their poor care experiences, including via the recent Women’s Health Strategy for England. More research is needed to better understand a wide range of patient experiences and healthcare professionals’ perspectives to find improvements that can be made.

The post-holder will interview (either remotely or face-to-face) approximately 50 patients about what it has been like to have diagnosed or suspected endometriosis, see healthcare professionals, and experience treatments and diagnosis. The post-holder will also interview up to 30 specialist healthcare professionals and 10 non-GP primary care practitioners, and re-analyse interviews we have already collected with 42 GPs. In the analyses, you will explore similarities and differences in what patients and healthcare professionals say, and look for examples of both good and poor healthcare as well as points where there is mismatch between the perspectives of patients and healthcare professionals.

The post-holder will develop a new information and support resource on a public-facing website. It will summarise key findings with excerpts from patient interviews. You will also co-design a short film to use at a workshop with patients, healthcare professionals, and policy-makers, to work out what other resources we can develop from the study.

You will be an experienced qualitative social scientist with a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, significant proven expertise in qualitative methods and able to use social science theory-driven approaches to analysis. Previous experience of qualitative research in women’s health would be advantageous. You will have a high level of communication and writing skills appropriate for different audiences as well as a strong publication record. You will require a high degree of autonomy and have the ability to work sensitively and develop rapport and trust with patient and professional research participants from different backgrounds and levels of seniority as well as being able to work closely with other team members. As well as having these excellent interpersonal and communication skills, you will be required to think creatively to develop additional outputs as required.

You will be based in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Radcliffe Primary Care Building, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG as your normal place of work (consideration will be given to some remote working days where appropriate). We expect data collection to be largely face to face, so the research will involve visits to participants across the UK and the necessary travel and overnight stays to enable this.

The position is full-time (0.8FTE part-time working will be considered) and fixed-term until 28th February 2027. This post is available from 1st January 2025.

For further information or discuss the post please contact Dr. Abigail McNiven ([email protected]).

“Committed to equality and valuing diversity”

You will be required to upload a CV and Supporting Statement as part of your online application. The Supporting Statement should include a cover letter and should also clearly describe how you meet each of the selection criteria listed in the job description. Click here for information and advice on writing an effective Supporting Statement.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Monday 9 September 2024.

Interviews are expected to be held on Friday 27 September 2024.

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