Community Recruitment Lead

About the University of Sunderland

The University of Sunderland provides life-changing opportunities to over 27,500 students across our campuses in Sunderland, London, and Hong Kong, as well as through global partnerships with learning institutions in 19 countries. Ranked among the UK’s top 30 universities (Guardian University Guide 2026) , we’re proud to hold the top position in the North East for student support services (Daily Mail University Guide 2026) and teaching quality (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026) . We’re entering an exciting new chapter, driven by a bold vision and redefined strategic ambitions, designed to embrace the dynamic higher education landscape both at home and internationally. With outstanding facilities, an inclusive culture, and a vibrant, ever-evolving city, now is the perfect time to join the University of Sunderland and be part of our exciting journey ahead.

About the role

You are invited to apply for the role of Community Recruitment Lead to work with us on a research project funded by Prostate Cancer Research. The project title is: ‘Encouraging early diagnosis of prostate cancer for Black men (the PROCAN-B+ study): A mixed-methods, two-arm, multi-centre randomised controlled trial of a co-produced, peer-led intervention’. In the original PROCAN-B study, we co-designed an intervention to raise awareness of the risk of prostate cancer among the Black community. In this follow-on project, the PROCAN-B+ study, we build on the previous work and test the intervention’s effectiveness. Black African and Caribbean men are at twice the risk of developing prostate cancer, and at least twice the risk of dying from it. This project aims to tackle this cancer inequality. The main purpose of the Community Recruitment Lead is to support recruitment of research participants within your region (London or Scotland). We have two positions available, on a part time basis (0.5 FTE). This is a fixed term position from 02/03/2026 - 30/08/2028. The role is primarily remote, however you must be located in London or Scotland. You will be working with a diverse team from multiple institutions and as Community Recruitment Lead, you will be a key member of the team. The project is led by Dr Floor Christie-de Jong (University of Sunderland), Professor Katie Robb (University of Glasgow) and Mr Moses Apiliga (Community Lead).

What You Can Bring

Key responsibilities are:

• Act as the Community Recruitment Lead for one of the study sites (London or Scotland).
• Facilitate the recruitment of research participants and support ongoing follow-up where required.
• Facilitate Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) activities and support the recruitment of community members to engage with the project.
• Build and maintain links with relevant community organisations in your region.
• Support the delivery of the intervention and data collection activities (e.g., distributing questionnaires, conducting follow-up).
• Maintain accurate records and logs relating to recruitment and data collection.
• Manage and store study documentation and data in accordance with ethical and governance requirements.
• Provide regular updates on recruitment and data collection progress and flag any issues promptly.
• Attend and contribute to project meetings, occasionally assisting with administrative tasks such as minute-taking.
• Contribute to broader aspects of the research where appropriate.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties related to the project, consistent with the nature and grade of the post.
• The role will occasionally require weekend or evening work and may involve travel to support recruitment or data collection activities.

What we can offer you

Our University is not just a place of academic excellence, but also a community that embraces inclusivity and support. We value our staff and offer a rewarding package that goes beyond just salary. At the University of Sunderland, we prioritise not only your professional growth but also your happiness and well-being. Enjoy a generous annual leave entitlement of 31 days, along with an additional 5 closure days over the Christmas break and 8 Bank Holidays. Enrolment into our pension scheme, ensuring your financial security for the future. Access to our “My Lifestyle Benefits Platform”, where you can enjoy online discounts at hundreds of retailers every day. Plus, take advantage of exclusive schemes that allow you to purchase a new car, bike, or technology at a discounted rate. Your health and well-being are important to us. That's why we provide access to discounted private medical insurance, health cash plans, and guidance on financial well-being. Maintaining an active lifestyle is made easy with discounted membership for CitySpace Fitness, our state-of-the-art facility for sports and social activities.

Equality, diversity & inclusion

We strongly believe that an inclusive university, where a diverse range of individuals feel valued and have equal opportunity to get into work and reach their potential, is good for our staff, students, university, and society. Our work on equality, diversity and inclusivity has never been more important. We believe inclusivity is an essential value at the heart of what we do, and we want all our staff to be part of that journey with us. Our recent staff survey conducted in 2023 showed that 97% of our staff believed that we were committed to achieving an inclusive university.

The closing date for applications is 5th February 2026 (23.59 GMT). Please note that applications are only accepted via the University of Sunderland's job portal, we do not accept CVs as part of the process. For an informal chat about the role please contact: Floor.Christie-Dejong@sunderland.ac.uk.