King’s College London | Temporary opportunity | Up to 5 days (37.5 hours) over 4 weeks, with flexible working arrangements
About the opportunity
We are looking for a proactive, well-connected veteran to join the team behind the AFTER (Armed Forces genital Trauma and psychosexual Experiences Research) study on a short-term basis until 22nd December 2026.
The AFTER study explores the experiences of ex-Servicemen who have sustained physical injuries during military service that have aHected their genital area, caused intimate scarring, or impacted their sexual function. The study aims to better understand veterans’ experiences, and those of their partners, and identify ways to improve support. AFTER is a collaborative project between Rand Europe, Manchester Metropolitan University, King’s College London and Combat Stress. The post is based at King’s College London, but can be undertaken remotely, although we do need you to be based in the UK.
We are looking for someone who can help raise awareness of the study and reach eligible participants through their networks, social media and connections across the Armed Forces community. You do not need personal experience of issues we are researching, you do not need to be injured, nor do you need a background in research or healthcare.
What you’ll be doing
- Developing/ designing and delivering a communications and outreach plan for promoting the AFTER study across veteran and Armed Forces community networks, organisations, online communities, and social media.
- Identifying new opportunities and creative ways to reach eligible ex-Servicemen and their partners.
- Sharing study advertisements and messages through relevant contacts and networks.
- Keeping the team updated on outreach activity, opportunities and responses.
About you
We are looking for someone who:
- Is a UK-based veteran with a strong understanding of the Armed Forces and veteran community.
- Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Has an established network of contacts across the veteran community and/or a strong social media presence, that you are willing to harness to advocate for this study.
- Is proactive, resourceful, resilient and confident approaching people and organisations.
- Can identify opportunities independently and turn ideas into action.
- Is comfortable communicating about sensitive topics, including genital injuries, sexual function and intimate relationships, with professionalism, discretion and empathy.
- Can work independently while collaborating with a university research team.
- Experience in outreach, communications, community engagement, networking or social media would be an advantage.
Contract details
- Duration: 4 weeks (ending 22nd December 2026)
- Time commitment: Up to 37.5 hours in total (equivalent to 5 days), flexibly arranged across the 4-week period
- Location: Remote / flexible
- Pay: £40 per hour (£300 per 7.5-hour day)
Please direct any questions about this opportunity to Dr Natalie Hammond, n.hammond@mmu.ac.uk
How to express your interest
If you are a veteran with the networks, communication skills and enthusiasm to help us reach the people who need to hear about this study, we would love to hear from you. To apply for this role, please submit your CV and a brief expression of interest (maximum 500-700 words) outlining your relevant experience, networks, and ideas for promoting the AFTER study. Your expression of interest should include:
- Your relevant experience and reach: Briefly describe your connections across the veteran community, relevant organisations or networks, and/or your social media presence. Please include links to any relevant social media accounts, communications work or examples of outreach you have undertaken, where available and appropriate.
- Three ideas for promoting AFTER: Tell us your three strongest ideas for helping us reach eligible veterans, and their partners, for this project. For each idea, briefly explain how you would put it into practice and why you think it would be effective. You may have many more ideas, but we are particularly interested in the approaches you think would have the greatest impact.
- Your approach: Briefly explain how you would use your existing networks, communication skills and initiative to help put these ideas into action. You do not need to have all the answers already. We are particularly interested in your ideas, initiative and ability to identify opportunities to help the study reach a wider audience.
The AFTER team has already undertaken outreach through social media (LinkedIn, Facebook and BlueSky) and veteran networks and organisations. We are particularly interested in fresh approaches that could help us reach veterans we have not yet engaged, including new networks, contacts, platforms or opportunities for collaboration.
We recognise that this is a short-term assignment, so we are looking for practical, achievable ideas that could make a difference within a short timeframe.
Expressions of interest should be submitted by 5pm Wednesday 18th November to Dr Natalie Hammond, n.hammond@mmu.ac.uk
AFTER is funded by the Scar Free Foundation through the Armed Forces Covenant Trust
