Research Fellow and Lecturer in Physical Activity and Health

Diverse community. Inclusive Research. Rewarding Careers. Doing things differently. Research Fellow and Lecturer in Physical Activity and Health

Research Fellow - 0.6 FTE - Grade G (£33,739 - £38,825 p.a. pro rata) - Fixed Term for 30 months

Lecturer - 0.4 FTE - Grade HE Lecturer (£39,984 - £43,671 p.a. pro rata) - Permanent

Start date 1st November 2026

One person will be appointed to both roles

About the Role

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and talented Research Associate and Lecturer in Physical Activity and Health. Your primary role will be split across these two roles; working 0.6 FTE as a Research Associate on a funded research project, alongside working 0.4 FTE as a Lecturer in the Department of Sport Science.

The 0.6 FTE Research Associate role will be to support on a funded project, in collaboration with the Rosetrees Trust, entitled "Modifying Physical Education (PE) to enhance cardiometabolic health, cognition and academic outcomes in young people living with socioeconomic disadvantage: unleashing the power of physical activity". The project that you will work on is an evaluation of Physical Education (PE) in secondary schools. The role will involve the day-to-day running of all aspects of the research project, including participant recruitment, data collection, data analysis, dissemination and project administration. There will also be the opportunity to work to ensure the impact of the work is maximised. The project will quantitatively evaluate the effects of a refined PE intervention on key outcomes in secondary school pupils. For this project you will be working, as part of a research team, directly with young people in school-based research. There will also be the opportunity to participate in the wider research activities of the Physical Activity for Health Across the Lifespan (PAHAL) research group within the Department of Sport Science/SHAPE research centre.

The 0.4 FTE Lecturer aspect of the role will be to support high quality teaching in the Department of Sport Science. You will contribute primarily to the MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology degree, with a specific focus on physical activity for health, and exercise prescription. There will be the opportunity to deliver lead lectures, alongside running laboratory practicals, group seminars and tutorials. You will also contribute across the four undergraduate programmes offered within the Department, with a focus on Physical Activity and Health related content. You may also teach more broadly exercise physiology, sport and exercise psychology, and/or research methods.

You will have a PhD in a related (sport science/physical activity) discipline, and experience of interdisciplinary research with young people would be advantageous. This project spans the disciplines of exercise physiology, exercise psychology and health. You should have published high quality academic papers and your work should have had, or have the potential to have, impact. Candidates should also have experience of delivering high quality teaching in a University setting. High level mentoring is available for all staff.

For more details, please take a look at the role profile. We'll still consider applications even if you don't meet every single one of the requirements, so don't be put off if you don't match them perfectly. To ensure the diverse needs of our team are met we actively encourage secondments and offer flexible part-time working patterns - we're focused on finding the right person for the role.

Interviews: 9th October 2026

About Us

The School of Science and Technology at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is an exciting multidisciplinary environment for learning, teaching and research, with some of the best facilities in the UK. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality teaching and diverse, real-world research. We specialise in biosciences, chemistry, computing and technology, as well as engineering, forensic science, mathematics, physics and sport science. This mix of traditional and modern subjects encourages and inspires future innovators.

Our Department of Sports Science resides within the School of Science and Technology on the Clifton Campus and has a long and established history for delivering sport-related programmes. Recent investment into the Department has enhanced our physical resources, research environment and the student learning experience. With four well-equipped physiology laboratories, the British Olympic Association approved environmental chamber, the recently refurbished performance analysis suite and two biomechanics and neuromuscular performance laboratories in the £4m Natural Sciences Research Centre, we offer a friendly environment of excellence and invite you to join us.

For any informal queries about the role or the team, please contact Professor Simon Cooper at .

Safe and Inclusive

At NTU, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of our students and colleagues. By championing positive wellbeing, we promote an environment where all can thrive and reach their full potential. We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring and we encourage people from underrepresented communities and backgrounds to apply to join our team.

Please note that unfortunately, this role has been assessed as ineligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration points-based immigration system however, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. For more information visit the Government Skilled Worker visa support page. However, applications are welcome from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK, but who would be eligible to obtain a valid visa via another route. Please consult the Home Office website for further information.

Please note that this role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and successful applicants will be asked to declare any unspent criminal convictions.