Research Associate (Sponsorship) (0839-25)

Research Associate

Division of Health Research

Grade 6

Part-time (0.50 fte – 18.25 hours)
 

Understanding the sponsorship activities associated with English Local Government

The Division of Health Research (DHR) within Lancaster University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine is seeking to fill a Research Associate position. 

In this role, you will join a new 11 months research project funded by NIHR School for Public Health Research. The project aims to explore what sponsorship deals local Councils are part of, how these might be harming people and the planet and what can be done to stop this. In our day-to-day lives, we are exposed to firms trying to sell us things through advertising and sponsorship. This is often for things like junk food, vaping, betting and cars. These products can be harmful to people and the planet. We will ask Councils what sponsorship deals they are part of. We will also speak with Council staff and members of the public from different communities to ask their views on these sponsorship deals. Using all of our findings we will start to create ways to explore the effects of Councils stopping these sponsorship deals.

You will be the lead researcher supporting the health economic component of the project. This includes designing the health economic plan which will involve workshops with key stakeholders to understand how sponsorship deals may impact on population health and how this can be used to inform a future economic evaluation in a future study.  You will also be responsible for writing up the research findings for publications and other dissemination avenues and supporting other project-related tasks as needed (e.g. writing reports). You will be required to work as part of a team and be able to work independently and flexibly. 

You will have a degree in a discipline related to health economics.  You will have experience of economic evaluation methodology. Knowledge and experience of working with stakeholders outside of academia as is experience of being part of a multidisciplinary team is essential. You would have an interest in public health and sustainability research.   

This is a project funded by the NIHR School for Public Health Research. The post will be based in the Division of Health Research at Lancaster University (Health Innovation campus) and may involve travel within the region.

Our team and the Division of Health Research provides a friendly environment that strongly supports the individual needs of each employee and actively promotes a healthy work-life balance. The Faculty is committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies and has held a Silver Athena SWAN award since 2014 in recognition of its good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research. 

The position is available immediately.  We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements and the role could be undertaken as a hybrid-working position based from the Health Innovation campus.

You will join Lancaster University on an indefinite contract; however, the role remains contingent on external funding, which is due to come to end 12 months from commencement of contract. 

For further information on the role and to discuss any aspects of the position, please contact: Professor Heather Brown email: h.w.brown@lancaster.ac.uk

Closing Date: 23 Nov 2025

Department: Research

Salary: £33,002 to £39,906 Indefinite with End Date/Part time(Pro-Rata)