Research Fellow - Men's Health & Wellbeing (PHD Required)

The Great Friendship Project is looking for an early-career researcher to partner with us on a leading piece of men's health research in the UK.

The fellowship will embed a researcher directly within our organisation to generate rigorous, practice-based evidence on what improves boys' and young men's emotional and relational health - exploring how loneliness, isolation, peer relationships, belonging, and community connection shape young men's lives.

Over three years, you will work alongside our team to turn what we deliver every day into peer-reviewed evidence that can influence funders, policymakers, and the broader field.

Who We're Looking For

Hold a PhD awarded after 1 May 2021, within five years of completion at time of application (career interruptions are taken into account)

Are a UK citizen or permanent resident, and willing to be based in London.

Have a research background in psychology, social sciences, public health, implementation science, or a closely related field

Ideally have a track record or clear research interest in social connection, loneliness, men's health, or community-based interventions

Are comfortable working in real-world community settings

Experience with qualitative, participatory, or mixed methods approaches would be particularly relevant given the nature of our work and the communities we serve.

What You Would Be Joining

This is not a desk-based fellowship. You would be embedded in an organisation that is active, community-facing, and deeply connected to the young people we work with.

You would have access to a large and engaged community of young adults, an existing programme of social interventions ready for rigorous study, and a team that takes evidence seriously.

About The Great Friendship Project

We are an award-winning organisation tackling loneliness through research-informed community programmes, campaigns, and partnerships.

Over the past four years we have delivered hundreds of community activities, partnered with major brands and public institutions, and built a highly engaged community of tens of thousands of young adults across the UK.

Our work is grounded in evidence. We have contributed to national research and policy conversations on loneliness, and have existing academic relationships with Queen Mary University of London and the University of Exeter.

We design and deliver social interventions that help people build real-world friendships, strengthen social confidence, and move out of loneliness.

Next Steps

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, we'd love to hear from you.

To be considered for this opportunity, please press apply or send a brief note about your research background and interests to info@friendship-project.co.uk by Friday 22nd May.