About the role

The Diabetes Research Centre are looking to recruit a talented, motivated individual to join an established, successful research team and contribute to a programme of work in the area of prevention and holistic management of early-onset adult type 2 diabetes (i.e. people diagnosed in their 40s or earlier). We welcome applications from individuals with various backgrounds/expertise relevant to the topic area (e.g. health sciences, human biology, diet/nutrition, lifestyle sciences, health psychology/wellbeing), but enthusiasm for the topic will be expected, along with the ability and willingness to both learn and synthesise evidence and work with colleagues from various subject areas.

The appointed individual will be based at the Leicester Diabetes Centre (Leicester General Hospital), which is internationally recognised for its research in the prevention and management of diabetes and other long-term conditions, and also hosts the prestigious NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands, the NIHR Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Commercial Research Delivery Centre, and the Centre for Ethnic Health Research. Our portfolio of research into early-onset adult type 2 diabetes is also supported by a prestigious NIHR Programme Grant for Applied Research – the £2.5 million “M3” programme.

The post-holder will sit within the Diabetes Research Centre and be closely aligned to the Lifestyle Theme of the NIHR Leicester BRC, but will work directly with various teams across the Leicester Diabetes Centre as part of the M3 programme, including the IMPACT team (which focusses on the development and implementation of multifactorial interventions) and the clinical delivery teams.

The post provides an excellent opportunity for an ambitious researcher to work on a prestigious flagship project within a novel priority area, and contribute to the ongoing development of our Research Centre alongside their own professional development.

About you

As a Research Associate, you will have a PhD in a relevant discipline alongside evidence of contributing independently to experimental or translational research studies and peer-reviewed journal publications. You will have strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, and excellent written and oral communication skills, with an ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.

Additional information

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Jack Sargeant at [email protected]

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here -

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.