Theme Lead: Palliative and End-of-Life Care

NIHR ARC East of England seeks an established applied health researcher to lead its research programme in palliative and end-of-life care, one day a week until 2031.

The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East of England is a partnership between Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, which hosts it, and five universities: Cambridge, East Anglia, Hertfordshire, Essex and Anglia Ruskin. Working with health and care organisations across the region, it tackles priority health and care problems through applied research, trains people to design and deliver that research, and puts the findings into practice regionally and nationally. The ARC is funded for five years, from April 2026 to March 2031.

This new Theme Lead post sets the strategic direction for the ARC’s Palliative and End-of-Life Care theme and is accountable for delivering its objectives in line with ARC priorities and NIHR expectations. You will lead a programme of work that brings together researchers, practitioners and partners across the East of England and nationally, including collaboration with other ARCs, while building an inclusive research culture and developing the people in the theme.

Who can apply

You must hold an employment contract with the University of Cambridge, University of East Anglia, University of Hertfordshire, University of Essex or Anglia Ruskin University. Honorary or affiliate appointments alone are not enough, because of the contractual arrangements attached to ARC funding. Appointment also depends on your employing organisation agreeing to support the time commitment.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the theme, keeping it aligned with ARC priorities and taking overall accountability for delivering its objectives.
• Lead the development of a coherent programme of research and funding applications.
• Build collaboration across universities, health and care organisations and wider partners.
• Support and mentor researchers in the theme, including Co-Leads and emerging leaders.
• Embed inclusion, diversity and equality across all theme activity.
• Work with the ARC’s Knowledge Mobilisation leads so the research is implemented and has impact.
• Ensure effective engagement with patients, the public and health and care organisations.
• Take overall responsibility for the theme’s NIHR reporting, and work with the ARC core team on communications and outputs.

What you will bring

• An established track record in applied health and care research, including leading significant programmes of work.
• A PhD or equivalent experience in palliative and end-of-life care, health and care services research or a related field, with a track record that fits the theme’s focus.
• A record of securing research funding and leading successful applications.
• Experience of strategic leadership and delivery of significant research programmes.
• A strong understanding of knowledge mobilisation, implementation, and public involvement and engagement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to build lasting partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of NIHR infrastructure.

Time commitment and terms

The role averages one day a week. That includes monthly Team Strategy and Operations Group (TSOG) meetings, contributions to annual reporting and biannual theme review meetings. You will be based mainly at your employing university, with occasional travel across the East of England.

The post is funded by NIHR ARC East of England through your employing university, administered by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, and is fixed-term until 31 March 2031.

ARC East of England is committed to inclusive recruitment and welcomes applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage, let the team know and they will be accommodated wherever possible.

How to apply

Send your CV and a letter of application to Emma Dickerson, Associate Director of Operations, NIHR ARC East of England, at Emma.Dickerson@cpft.nhs.uk. Your letter should show how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role and how your track record would advance the theme. Read the full role description and person specification before you apply.

Applications close on Wednesday 21st October 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to online interviews on 23rd and 24th November 2026.

Informal enquiries

Informal enquiries are welcome. Contact ARC Co-Director Alex Flores via his Assistant, Hannah Smith, at h.smith25@herts.ac.uk.