Senior Research Associate Horizon Scanning & Evidence Synthesis (Qualitative)

TheRole

We areseekinga highly motivated and methodologically skilled Senior Research Associate with a strong interest inQualitative Methodsto lead and contribute to a dynamic portfolio of horizon scanning and foresight is a key leadership role offering the opportunity to shape and advance innovative methods in a rapidly evolving field(Horizon Scanning & Foresight). You will lead multidisciplinary cross-sector projects in priority areas ensuringtimelydelivery within scope and resource and producing high-quality tailored outputs that meet the needs of diverse stakeholders.

The successful candidate will playa central rolein developing approaches that translate early signals intotimely relevant and actionable outputs for policymakers practitioners and innovation stakeholders. This includes ensuring methodological rigour clarity and strategic value in all outputs with a particular focus on generating actionable insightsto inform strategic policy decision makingaround the regulation and adoption ofnew technologies.

You will work closely with other project and programme leads to foster cross-programme collaboration support capacity building and promote a culture of transparent inclusive working. You will alsobe responsible forproject governanceincluding risk resource and quality managementand will provide mentoring and line management toearly career researchcolleagues supporting their development and contributing to a positive high-performing team environment.

The post holder has a responsibility for promoting the values of the NIHR Innovation Observatory throughappropriateand visible leadership behaviours and actions. They will have a particular responsibility to:

• Teamwork:Collaborate with kindness value and respecting everyone offering help and promoting an open flow of information andseekingto partner with external interest holders/stakeholders in all our activities.

• Courage and Ambition:Operateat the top of your game valuing and actively seeking out learning and development opportunities. Giving and receiving feedback with honesty and reflecting on your approaches.

• Curiosity and Open-mindedness:Embrace creativity and value originality seizing opportunities to learn and innovate.

• Integrity and Quality:Walk the talk and be well-prepared and robust in your approach delivering high qualitytimelyoutputs and managing your time and resources effectively.

The post is full time fixed term until 31st March 2031.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dominic Lamb () or Professor Dawn Craig ().

To apply for this role please submit a CV and covering letter with your application.

KeyAccountabilities

• Lead the scoping design deliveryand disseminationofcross-agencycomplex horizonscanningand foresight projects focused on emerging health and care technologies aligned to agreed priorities.

• Ensure cross portfolio project delivery against agreed timelines milestones and quality standards effectively manging risk and upholding ethical and responsible research practices.

• Provide oversight and leadership onrapidforesight and horizon scanning research projectsmostly delivered internally.

• Lead the development of novel qualitative methodologies tailored to horizon scanning including participatory approaches narrative analysis ethnographic foresight and sensemaking frameworks.

• Design and implement approaches that integrate qualitative evidence such as expert interviews stakeholder narratives and grey literature to enhance the richness and contextual depth ofhorizon scanning andforesightprojects and outputs.

• Translatehorizon scanning andforesight intelligence into structured accessible outputs tailored to diverse audiences including policymakers regulators innovators and health system leaders.

• Provide academic leadership in foresight horizon scanning andqualitative methods contributing to methodological advancement and thought leadership inthe application and use of qualitative methods andintelligencein this space.

• Lead and collaborate on funding development activitiesleveragingstrategic partnerships and foresightexpertiseto secure research funding aligned with the Innovation Observatorys scope and ambition. This includes preparing and leading funding proposals to prestigious national and international fundersthat allow IO to drive methods in this space.

• Publish high-quality research outputs including peer-reviewed articles policy briefings and methodological papers and present findings at national and international conferences.

• Regularly engage withIOs ecosystem includingacademic clinicalpolicyindustrycharitiespublic and communitystakeholdersalongside the wider NIHR infrastructureto ensureresearchoutputs aretimely relevant and impactful.

• Collaborate with experts across disciplines to co-createhorizon scanning and foresight tools that draw on diverse qualitative traditions including grounded theory discourse analysisparticipatorymethodsand systems thinking.

• Mentor and superviseearly careerresearchers supporting their development inhorizon scanning andforesightqualitativemethodsproject management and deliverystakeholder engagement and strategic communication.

• Contribute to capacity building throughour Learning Hubcontributing totraining workshops and knowledge exchange activities that advance foresight and horizon scanning methods in health and care innovation.

This job descriptionidentifiesthe key responsibilities of the post. It is not an exhaustive list of duties and is subject to amendment as necessary in consultation with the postholder.

The Person

KnowledgeSkillsand Experience

Methodological Expertise

• Demonstrableexpertisein qualitative participatory and creative methods witha track recordofpragmaticallyapplying and advancing these approaches to inform strategic policy-relevant outputs.

• Proven ability toidentifyand interpret weak signals emerging trends and contextual drivers of change using structured and interpretive approaches.

• Extensive experience synthesising intelligence from diverse and non-traditional sources (e.g. innovation pipelines expert panels regulatory documents) to generate actionable insights for policy innovation or investment decisions.

• High-levelofproficiencyin triangulating intelligence using structured methods and frameworks with experience using tools for evidence mapping and visualisation.

RegulatoryKnowledge

• Anunderstanding of regulatory and innovation pathways for healthand caretechnologies including the processes and frameworks that govern their development evaluation and adoption.

• Advanced understanding of how early-stage intelligence can shape research policy and innovation in health and care particularly in relation toemergingtechnologies and system transformation.

Project & People Leadership

• Demonstrable experience in leading the design and delivery of foresight or horizon scanning projects including scoping protocol development stakeholder engagement and output delivery.

• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects balance competing demands and support others in doing the demonstrable experience of using project and programme management approaches to deliver work to time and budget.

• Proven ability tomaintainhigh standardsof quality and delivery under pressure.

• Proven ability to mentor and superviseearly careerresearchers supportprofessionaldevelopment and contribute to capacity building through training workshops or knowledge exchange activities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Strong ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholdersincluding policymakers regulators clinicians industry charities and publicpartnersthrough co-production expert elicitation and participatory foresight approaches.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex intelligence into accessible policy-relevant outputs tailored to technical and non-technical audiences.

Academic & StrategicExperience

• Establishedtrack recordof academic dissemination including peer-reviewed publications methodological papers and presentations at national and international conferences.

• Evidence of contributing to national or international discourse through advisory roles invited talks or expert panels.

• Evidence of delivering research that has influenced policyorinnovation adoption and of translating foresight insights into real-world impact.

• Demonstrable ability to work independently and collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams bridging technical regulatory and strategic perspectives across sectors.

Desirable Criteria

• Proven success in securing or leading research funding including preparation of competitive proposals to national and international funders.

• Experience aligning funding strategies with institutional priorities andleveragingstrategic partnerships.

Attributes and Behaviour

• Analytical mindsetwith proven abilityto interpret complex or incomplete data and generate meaningful insightsto inform strategic decision making.

• Demonstrating curiosity and initiativeproactively exploringnew evidence and trends to inform research and practice.

• Adaptabilitydemonstratingconfidencewhenworking in dynamic environments with evolving priorities.

• Strong communicationskills with aproven abilityto translate technical findings into accessible outputsfor a wide range of audiences and using different techniques.

• Collaborative approachworkingeffectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.

• Integrity and discretion able tomaintainhigh standardsof ethical conduct and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent demonstrable professionalexpertisein a relevantsocial sciencefield()

• Programme or Project Managementqualification (Desirable)