Advert
This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only. Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.
Internal Applicants Only - Research Associate, DECIPHer
Cardiff University School of Social Sciences is seeking to recruit a Research Associate to work within Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer) Research Centre that is located within the school.
Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing (VPAG) Investment Programme
In 2023 the UK Government and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) agreed £400million of additional life sciences investment over five years through the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing (VPAG) Investment Programme. This investment will accelerate work on clinical trials, manufacturing, and health technology assessment (HTA).
The Welsh Government and Health and Care Research Wales have funded the DECIPHer and PRIME research centres at Cardiff University to undertake a three-year evaluation of the (VPAG) Investment Programme in Wales. The evaluation will use a process evaluation study design to explore programme implementation.
In this role the Research Associate will support the planning of the evaluation and lead on research conduct and analysis. They will support on the reporting of evaluation results to the funder, leading on additional dissemination and engagement activities as appropriate.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week), is fixed term until 31st December 2028 and is immediately available.
Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6), with annual increments up to final salary at top of grade. New appointments are usually made at the starting point of the salary scale.
Responsible to Dr Rachel Brown, Senior Research Fellow
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Rachel, [email protected]
DECIPHer supports hybrid working and the successful candidate will need to be available to work from its offices in Cardiff two days per week.
Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (including bank holidays), blended working (meaning you will be able to work from home for some of your time), a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.
As the biggest university in Wales – and a major employer, with more than 7,000 staff – we are an ambitious and innovative university located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. We can offer you the chance to work in a vibrant organisation, with great benefits and opportunities for progression.
Date advert posted: Tuesday, 12 May 2026
Closing date: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
External applications are currently not being considered for this post. If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University
Internal Applicants Only - Research Associate, DECIPHer
Cardiff University School of Social Sciences is seeking to recruit a Research Associate to work within Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer) Research Centre that is located within the school.
Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing (VPAG) Investment Programme
In 2023 the UK Government and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) agreed £400million of additional life sciences investment over five years through the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing (VPAG) Investment Programme. This investment will accelerate work on clinical trials, manufacturing, and health technology assessment (HTA).
The Welsh Government and Health and Care Research Wales have funded the DECIPHer and PRIME research centres at Cardiff University to undertake a three-year evaluation of the (VPAG) Investment Programme in Wales. The evaluation will use a process evaluation study design to explore programme implementation.
In this role the Research Associate will support the planning of the evaluation and lead on research conduct and analysis. They will support on the reporting of evaluation results to the funder, leading on additional dissemination and engagement activities as appropriate.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week), is fixed term until 31st December 2028 and is immediately available.
Salary: £41,064 - £46,049 per annum (Grade 6), with annual increments up to final salary at top of grade. New appointments are usually made at the starting point of the salary scale.
Responsible to Dr Rachel Brown, Senior Research Fellow
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Rachel, [email protected]
DECIPHer supports hybrid working and the successful candidate will need to be available to work from its offices in Cardiff two days per week.
Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (including bank holidays), blended working (meaning you will be able to work from home for some of your time), a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.
As the biggest university in Wales – and a major employer, with more than 7,000 staff – we are an ambitious and innovative university located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. We can offer you the chance to work in a vibrant organisation, with great benefits and opportunities for progression.
Date advert posted: Tuesday, 12 May 2026
Closing date: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
External applications are currently not being considered for this post. If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University
Job Description
Research
- To conduct research within public health and health care evaluation research and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
- To undertake the planning and delivery of research for the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing (VPAG) evaluation.
- To support reporting of VPAG evaluation interim and finalised results to the Welsh Government, Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) and other public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions.
- To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.
- To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
- To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate.
- To participate in School research activities.
- To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.
- To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
- To support delivery of the DECIPHer short course programme and wider teaching within the School of Social Sciences.
- Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.
Salary Range Max.
46,049
Grade
Grade 6
Salary Range Min.
41,064
Job Category
Academic - Research
Additional Information
Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer)
The DECIPHer Centre was established via UKCRC funding as one of 5 Public Health Research Centre of Excellence in 2009 – 2019, in partnership with the University of Bristol and Swansea University. In 2020, it became a Health and Care Research Wales funded public health research centre of excellence, in partnership with Public Health Wales, with funding to 2025. DECIPHer has now received sustainability funding from Health and Care Research Wales to continue its work from 2025-2030.
On going funding ensures that we can continue to provide:
DECIPHer plays a significant role in a series of major National Institute for Health Research funded investments, as well as the Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health and the ESRC funded leadership hub Behavioural Research-UK. Within its next 5 years, it will also partner with newly funded Health and Care Research Wales funded centres, including the National Centre for Suicide and Self-harm Prevention Research and the Wales Applied Virology Unit. It also hosts the School Health Research Network, and an internationally recognised programme of research-led teaching in methodology for the development and evaluation of interventions. Our research from 2025 will aim to improve the health of the public, reduce inequalities, and drive methodological innovation in the development and evaluation of health improvement interventions.
DECIPHer is located in the Cardiff University Social Science Research Park (SPARK) alongside a large number of other social science research centres. It is primarily based in the School of Social Sciences, and works across the University, with some investigators based in the School of Medicine. The School of Social Sciences is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research and teaching across a range of subject areas, including sociology, policy studies, criminology, education and social work
Further details of the School's activities may be found on our home page: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/social-sciences
The DECIPHer Centre was established via UKCRC funding as one of 5 Public Health Research Centre of Excellence in 2009 – 2019, in partnership with the University of Bristol and Swansea University. In 2020, it became a Health and Care Research Wales funded public health research centre of excellence, in partnership with Public Health Wales, with funding to 2025. DECIPHer has now received sustainability funding from Health and Care Research Wales to continue its work from 2025-2030.
On going funding ensures that we can continue to provide:
- a platform for internationally excellent multidisciplinary public health improvement research
- an internationally excellent environment for career development in public health improvement research
- a focal point in Wales for collaboration between academia, policy, practice and the public in public health improvement research to maximise relevance, and impact.
DECIPHer plays a significant role in a series of major National Institute for Health Research funded investments, as well as the Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health and the ESRC funded leadership hub Behavioural Research-UK. Within its next 5 years, it will also partner with newly funded Health and Care Research Wales funded centres, including the National Centre for Suicide and Self-harm Prevention Research and the Wales Applied Virology Unit. It also hosts the School Health Research Network, and an internationally recognised programme of research-led teaching in methodology for the development and evaluation of interventions. Our research from 2025 will aim to improve the health of the public, reduce inequalities, and drive methodological innovation in the development and evaluation of health improvement interventions.
DECIPHer is located in the Cardiff University Social Science Research Park (SPARK) alongside a large number of other social science research centres. It is primarily based in the School of Social Sciences, and works across the University, with some investigators based in the School of Medicine. The School of Social Sciences is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research and teaching across a range of subject areas, including sociology, policy studies, criminology, education and social work
Further details of the School's activities may be found on our home page: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/social-sciences
Career Pathway
Research
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
It is Cardiff University's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for shortlisting. Therefore, candidates must evidence they meet ALL the essential criteria and, where relevant, the desirable.
As part of the application process, you are asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined in the person specification. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide for each criterion.
When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure you name it with the vacancy reference number: XXXXBR.
Your application will be at risk of not being progressed if you do not evidence you have met all essential criteria. The school welcomes the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.
Please note that these are also the criteria shortlisted applicants will be assessed against at interview and/or by other means (e.g. a skills test).
- Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience
- An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
- Evaluation research, with expertise in government policy evaluation
- Public health
- Healthcare
- Knowledge of current status of research in public health and healthcare. To include knowledge of the rollout of the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing (VPAG) across UK.
- Proven ability to publish in national/international journals, present at national/international conferences and generate policy and practice relevant research outputs
- Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies
- Proven ability to communicate with senior stakeholders, working to influence decision-making and practice
- Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work
- Proven ability to work without close supervision
- Willingness to travel across Wales to undertake research fieldwork
- Evidence of collaboration with government stakeholders
- Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community
- Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School
It is Cardiff University's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for shortlisting. Therefore, candidates must evidence they meet ALL the essential criteria and, where relevant, the desirable.
As part of the application process, you are asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined in the person specification. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide for each criterion.
When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure you name it with the vacancy reference number: XXXXBR.
Your application will be at risk of not being progressed if you do not evidence you have met all essential criteria. The school welcomes the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.
Please note that these are also the criteria shortlisted applicants will be assessed against at interview and/or by other means (e.g. a skills test).