The Award will enable OPAN to recruit a senior researcher with specialist stroke research expertise to lead research growth in Wales as part of its Stroke Research Group.

Dr Sue Lambert, Co-Director of OPAN, and Lecturer at the College of Human and Health Sciences, said:

“This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced researcher to work with a multi-disciplinary team of committed stroke academics and clinicians in Wales to build stroke research capacity.

“We fully appreciate the commitment of The Stroke Association to stroke research capacity building in Wales. Stroke is the third highest cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the UK, and research plays a significant part in improving the lives of stroke survivors.”

The National Institute for Social Care and Health Research (NISCHR) in Wales has also supported the position with funding, and Swansea University is committed to supporting the position in the longer term.

Dr Lambert added: “The post-holder will be appointed at Senior Lecturer or Reader level, and will have an established track record of securing funding for stroke research, and publications of international quality in, for example, rehabilitation, living with stroke, secondary prevention or knowledge translation and utilisation.

“The focus will be on building a stroke research programme in the appointed person’s speciality and building research capability for sustainability.”