Research Associate / Senior Research Associate in Evidence Synthesis

Salary: 

Grade I: £39,906 - £44,746;

Grade J: £44,746 - £50,253 per annum (pro-rata if part-time)

The role

We have an exciting opportunity for a talented systematic reviewer or a quantitative researcher with an interest in evidence synthesis to join the BEAM (Bristol Evidence Synthesis, Appraisal & Modelling) Centre at the University of Bristol.

BEAM brings together researchers working on evidence synthesis & modelling research across Bristol Medical School. BEAM is an internationally renowned centre of excellence in evidence synthesis and is the only centre to host all three types of NIHR funded Evidence Synthesis Groups (ESGs), providing access to a wealth of knowledge and expertise in evidence synthesis across a broad range of topics & clinical areas.

You will work primarily within the NIHR Bristol ESG & NIHR BUcKLES ESG but with some flexibility to contribute to the work of other research groups within BEAM where needed. The Bristol ESG produces evidence reviews on a wide range of topics for the NIHR. The BUcKLES group is the only ESG dedicated to undertaking living systematic reviews.

You will be part of a multidisciplinary team including systematic reviewers, statisticians, information specialists, qualitative researchers, and health economists. You will also work closely with clinical experts & public contributors. 

The post is available full-time from the 1st November 2026 until 31/03/2030, but part-time working will be considered at a minimum of 0.6 FTE.

Requests for flexible working patterns will be considered.

Hybrid working is available: we encourage staff to work in the office as face-to-face working & regular contact with colleagues are key to a healthy workplace. The postholder would be expected to attend the office a minimum of 1 - 2 days in a normal working week with no restriction on which days these are.

What will you be doing?

Projects will include applied evidence syntheses, from evidence maps and rapid reviews to full systematic reviews, and may include methodological work related to evidence synthesis. You will be required to contribute to:

• The day-to-day review processes and research-related administration of conducting systematic reviews and other evidence syntheses.
• Developing review protocols, screening studies for inclusion, data collection, risk of bias and GRADE assessments, preparation of datasets, interpretation of data & writing reports.
• Narrative and quantitative syntheses (e.g. meta-analyses) for a wide range of projects.
• Peer reviewed publications, grant proposals and conference presentations

You should apply if

• You have strong training in quantitative research, including knowledge of basic concepts in medical statistics
• You have an enthusiasm for evidence synthesis and to contribute to living systematic reviews.
• You have some experience of working on systematic reviews, although this is not a requirement and training will be available
• You have excellent critical appraisal skills for a range of studies designs
• For SRA: you have a relevant PhD. For RA: you have a relevant Masters degree (e.g. epidemiology, public health, medical statistics or other relevant quantitative discipline).

Additional information

Contract type: Open-ended with funding until 31/03/2030 (start-date to be agreed, but likely to be 01/11/2026)

Work pattern: Full-time/ 1 FTE (part-time working will be considered at minimum 0.6 FTE)

Shift pattern: 35 hours per week (part-time considered)

For informal queries please contact:

Deborah Caldwell (Professor of Epidemiology & Public Health): d.m.caldwell@bristol.ac.uk; &

Julian Higgins (Professor of Evidence Synthesis): julian.higgins@bristol.ac.uk

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision & values.

Available documents

• Faculty of Health & Life Sciences - October 2024.pdf
• ACAD108724 - RA SRA in Evidence Synthesis JD.pdf