Patients representative jobs in Birmingham

• Travel required: 15 days / year (approx.)
• Location: Home-based in either UK, Germany or Spain.

We are seeking a Researcher to support the activities of the Patient Evidence Department of Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE).

Please send your CV and cover letter at recruitment @mpeurope. org. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK, Germany or Spain. Applications without a cover letter will be rejected. 

The following tasks and core responsibilities are non-exhaustive and subject to change depending on needs of the organisation.

Job Purpose

The Researcher will support the Patient Evidence department in generating, analysing and communicating patient-centred evidence to inform clinical, regulatory, industry, academic and policy decision-making, and to fuel progress across MPE programmes and activities. The role involves working with qualitative and quantitative data, supporting research projects and contributing to evidence-based outputs that amplify patients’ experiences and needs. The Patient Evidence department conducts our own patient-focussed research and collaborates on external projects with patient and medical organisations, universities, clinical teams, industry partners and regulatory bodies.

Main Duties and responsibilities

Perform the following duties in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Head of Patient Research:

• Independently design research projects and develop research protocols aligned with MPE’s research strategy, including surveys, interviews and literature reviews.
• Support the development of proposals to secure public and private funding to support research activities.
• Independently conduct assigned research tasks in accordance with project deliverables and timelines.
• Conduct and analyse qualitative (interviews, focus groups) and quantitative research (surveys).
• Conduct desk research (systematic and non-systematic literature reviews) on topics such as patient experiences, health systems and psychosocial impacts of myeloma.
• Maintain accurate records of participant data, safeguarding the confidentiality of participants and patient data, as necessary.
• Write up research results and prepare visualisations of data for different audiences (including for patients, clinicians, academic journals).
• Disseminate research results including presentations at international and national conferences, internal and external meetings and workshops. Represent MPE at internal/external meetings when needed.
• Collaborate with communications colleagues to design strategies to disseminate our research to wider audiences.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop recruitment and involvement strategies to enhance participation from underserved groups and from different parts of Europe.
• Engage with patients, families, clinicians, patient organisations and other stakeholders involved in MPE patient evidence projects and other myeloma research.
• Provide administrative and organisational support for the Research Advisory Committee.
• Contribute to our member research support training programme including delivering workshops and training events on research design and methodology.

Other responsibilities

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of Patient evidence.
• Critically appraise and provide advice to the wider MPE team on research and evidence requests.
• Build good relations with members, internal and external stakeholders (including doctors, researchers and medical representatives within companies).
• Respond to external patient organisations’ requests on research and evidence topics.
• Attend scientific congresses and meetings and stay abreast of important developments related to myeloma patient evidence.
• Develop content for MPE website, social media and other communications.
• Participate in advisory boards for the pharmaceutical industry.
• Engage with training and continuing professional development.

Essential criteria

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (such as psychology, social sciences, health policy, health and social care, public health or related fields)
• Master’s degree in a relevant subject (MRes Health Research, MPH, or health-related subject MSc with substantive research component)
• A minimum of 3 years experience conducting applied health research
• Knowledge and experience of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies including surveys, focus groups and interviews applied to health-related research
• Strong skills in qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods analysis.
• Understanding of principles of Good Clinical Practice in research.
• Proficient at Office suite – Word, Excel, PowerPoint (or equivalent), and specialist quantitative/qualitative analysis software (e.g. SPSS/R, or Atlas/Nvivo).
• Ability to work from home in a virtual setting with a team spread across Europe.
• Strong listening, communication and presentation skills.
• Rigorous work methods and high attention to detail.
• Demonstrated excellence in writing, proofreading, and editing in English.

Desirable criteria

• A PhD in a related field
• Project management experience
• Experience in cross-national research
• Experience in working with patients, researchers, doctors and representatives from the pharmaceutical industry desirable
• Experience in systematic or non-systematic literature review
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Familiarity with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and patient experience data
• Knowledge/expertise of cancer patient experience research
• Knowledge of drug development process and clinical trials
• Knowledge and experience of ethical review procedures
• Fluency in additional European languages

Personal attributes

• Organised, with excellent project management and time management skills.
• Ability to lead and work independently on assigned tasks and take appropriate initiative.
• A motivated and self-aware team player, who can work independently or collaboratively with equal success.
• Ability to explain complex scientific terms and knowledge into lay language.

We offer:

• Opportunity to contribute to impactful, patient-centred work at a European level.
• An exciting position in the emerging field of evidence-based patient advocacy, working together with key patient advocacy leaders across Europe.
• Permanent position with flexible hours giving the opportunity to progress and to integrate in a dynamic, friendly and multi-cultural team working from different European cities.

About MPE

Myeloma Patients Europe (MPE) is a pan-European organisation representing 57 myeloma and amyloidosis patient groups from over 35 European countries. It is registered as an international non-profit organisation under Belgian Law. A Board mainly composed of patients and caregivers is elected by the membership to oversee the strategy and governance of the organisation. A team of 14 staff members runs remotely the day-to-day operations, programmes and services within 4 divisions: Access and Policy, Medical Education and Scientific Engagement, Patient Evidence and Member and Patient Community Programmes.

MPE’s vision is a world where every person affected by myeloma has access to the knowledge, diagnostics, treatment and care they need to have the best possible outcomes and quality of life.

Our mission is to drive advocacy by empowering the myeloma community through research, education and collaboration.

Read more about our strategic goals for 2025-2030 here: w ww.mpeurope.or g/about-mpe/our-goals/

About the Patient Evidence department

The MPE Patient Evidence department was established in 2020 to generate evidence to better understand and articulate patients’ perspectives, influence decision-makers and use evidence as a driving force for progress across our strategic goals.  The team is led by Dr Eilidh Duncan and our goal is to lead the development of robust patient evidence to improve experiences, outcomes and access for myeloma patients and their families. We achieve this by spearheading novel patient research initiatives that address gaps in the evidence and ensure the meaningful inclusion of patient perspectives in research design, conduct and interpretation. We use the evidence we generate internally to fuel progress across all MPE programmes and activities and externally by decision-makers including those in clinical, regulatory, industry, academic and policy settings.

The deadline for applications is 1 May 2026 and all applications will be reviewed immediately afterwards. Our hiring team will schedule interviews with successful candidates to take place in the following weeks. We will be in touch following the review period regarding next steps. 

If you have any questions in the meantime, please reach out to us at our recruitment email address.

Close Date: 17th May 2026
Location:  Cross site - Erdington & Selly Park Hospices
Hours: 37.5 per week
Salary: Clinical Band 6, £37,002- £44,557
DBS Requirement: Enhanced

Make a meaningful difference where it matters most

At Birmingham Hospice, we support people living with life‑limiting illness to live as well as they can - and we walk alongside their families during some of life’s most challenging moments. We are now looking for a Specialist Palliative Care Social Worker to join our compassionate, expert team across our Erdington and Selly Park sites.

About the Role

As a key member of our multidisciplinary team, you will deliver high‑quality, person‑centred social work support to patients, families, carers and communities. You’ll provide skilled emotional, practical and safeguarding support, helping people navigate complex situations with dignity, empathy and professionalism this is in addition to supporting hospice staff.

Key responsibilities include:

· Delivering a coordinated family support service across both hospice sites

· Working closely with the Senior Social Worker and wider MDT to ensure holistic care

· Providing expert support around emotional wellbeing, care planning and practical needs

· Championing best practice in palliative and end‑of‑life care with internal and external partners

· Applying your expertise in safeguarding, the Mental Capacity Act, DoLS and related legislation

· Completing assessments and applications for Social Care and Fast‑Track CHC packages to enable timely support

· Providing education around safeguarding, mental capacity and DOLS

About you:

· You’ll be a skilled, compassionate social worker who brings professionalism, warmth and integrity to your practice.

· Be a registered Social Worker with Social Work England (registration number required on application)

· Be a car owner and will hold a full, clean driving licence

· Be an authentic, open communicator who works inclusively and values diversity

· Have experience or a strong interest in working within palliative or end‑of‑life care settings

Why Join Us?

· Be part of a forward-thinking, values-driven charity

· Enjoy a generous benefits package including enhanced annual leave

· If coming from the NHS or another hospice continuous service benefits for pension and annual leave

· Make a real difference in people’s lives when they need it most

The hospice is committed to developing a dynamic and diverse team, representative of the communities it serves. We ask you, therefore, to complete the Equal Opportunities monitoring form to help us in this aim. We value each person as an individual – whether they are colleagues, patients, family members, carers or supporters, every person matters.

We embrace diversity of culture, background and environment knowing it enriches our workplace and our relationships with our local communities. We are committed to building a culture of inclusion and belonging. We would love to hear from you, about what makes you uniquely you and how this opportunity will support you to succeed.