The School of Medicine (SoM) is offering a 2-year research fellow post within the Education Division as part of a programme of research to improve the range and quality of clinical education in a community setting, using and evaluating Extended Reality (XR; encompassing virtual, augmented and mixed reality) and Artificial intelligence (AI) as a vehicle to provide community related practical learning experiences for medical students. You will join a team of academics, learning technologists and developers within the School to co-deliver on the development and research of two inter-related projects that will merge into a comprehensive package of innovative tools designed to ensure medical students of the future have a deep understanding and awareness of community-based medicine. You will lead on research into the utility and educational impact of these innovations via engagement with multiple stakeholders (e.g. patient partner groups, NHS colleagues, University staff and students).  

The successful candidate will be an early-stage postdoctoral researcher and innovator looking to develop an independent research career in a supportive and world-leading environment. They will be motivated to build on the opportunities within the project structures to develop new initiatives and enhance cross and inter-disciplinary research within the School of Medicine. They will hold a PhD in a cognate discipline relevant to the programme of work (e.g. medical education, technology-enhanced learning). Applicants must demonstrate strong academic achievement, appropriate to their career stage, with evidence of and potential for producing distinguished research outputs.  

This post will be hosted within the Education Division, School of Medicine, University St Andrews. The Education Division focuses on high quality medical educational research and the development of medical educational researchers. The successful applicant will be provided with mentorship, peer support and training opportunities to further develop their research career.  

Appointments will be made at grade 6. This post is offered on a fixed term basis as it is specific to a project/piece of work. As such the need for the post will cease to exist when the work/project is completed. The post is available for 24 months starting as soon as possible.   

Applications should include:

• A covering letter
• A full curriculum vitae including a list of refereed publications and key conference contributions.  

Employees of the University have access to a wide range of staff benefits including:

• Annual leave of 34 days, plus 5 public holidays
• Membership of the USS Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions
• A hybrid working environment, including partial homeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies
• Staff discount scheme for local and national goods and services
• Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle to Work Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
• Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees on degree programmes for staff/children of staff, access to library facilities, salary sacrifice scheme and a range of wellbeing initiatives    

Informal enquiries on the process and the structure of the applications can be addressed to Dr Alun Hughes on (ah200@st-andrews.ac.uk).  

Applications are particularly welcome from women, people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in research posts at the University.    

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience.  We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards (Athena Swan, Carer Positive, LGBT Charter, Race Charters and Stonewall). We celebrate diversity by promoting profiles of BAME, LGBTIQ+ staff and supporting networks including the Staff BAME Network; Staff with Disabilities Network; Staff LGBTIQ+ Network; and the Staff Parents & Carers Network.  Full details available online: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/  

Closing Date:  25 September 2023                                      

Interview Date: 12 October 2023  

Please quote ref:  AR2758SB             

Further Particulars: AR2758SB FPs.doc

School of Medicine

Salary: £37,099 - £44,263 per annum

Start Date: As soon as possible

Fixed term: 2 years

Full-time: 36.25 hrs per week