Research Assistant/Associate

Job Purpose

The postholder will make a leading contribution to an exciting programme of social network and complex intervention research led by Professor Sharon Simpson. The role will be based within the Complexity in Health Improvement Programme of the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit (SPHSU). The project the postholder will be mainly working on is the ASSIST Global trial. This trial is testing the feasibility and acceptability of a ‘peer led’ smoking prevention intervention for young people in three countries – China, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The successful candidate will have skills in Social Network Analysis (SNA), and will apply these skills to quantitative modelling of school social networks in the Assist trial. In particular, the postholder will use methods from social network analysis to map the structure of friendship networks within the study, assess the network embeddedness of peer leaders, and model longitudinal changes in social networks and smoking behaviour over the course of the social network intervention.

The successful candidate will lead on writing publications, support project development as needed, and contribute to the wider objectives of the Complexity programme.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal/Co Investigator:

1. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.

2. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

3. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/School/Unit, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

4. Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

5. Contribute to the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.

6. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community.

7. Contribute to the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.

8. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.

9. Carry out modest teaching activities (e.g demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.

10. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.

11. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

12. Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

13. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

For appointment at grade 7:

14. Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, funding, collaborating and publishing research, and mentoring colleagues.

15 Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area.

16. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

Qualifications

Essential:

A1 SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in a discipline relevant to social networks, adolescent development (e.g., psychology, public health, etc), or networks and health.

A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of social network analysis, complexity or systems science, and how they can be applied to health.

For appointment at grade 7:

A3 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s)

Desirable:

B1 An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in a discipline relevant to complex systems, social networks, network analysis, or networks and health.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential:

C1 Skills in the analysis of social networks using R software, including basic quantitative network metrics (e.g. indegree, betweenness, clustering, using packages such as Igraph and Network), graph visualisation (ggraph, yEd, Gephi); or other inferential network methods (ERGMs, QAP, SAOM).

C2 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability relating to network science and health.

C3 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely

C4 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach

C5 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills

C6 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.

C7 Self motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

C8 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

For appointment at grade 7:

C9 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism

C10 Knowledge of project specific technical models or techniques

C11 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher

Experience

Essential:

E1 Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher

E2 Project or subject specific experience (e.g., networks science, complex systems, health interventions).

E3 Experience of scientific writing

E4 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

E5 Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field

For appointment at grade 7:

E6 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences

E7 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities

E8 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.

E9 Experience in undertaking independent research

Desirable :

F1Experience in the analysis of longitudinal social network data.

F2 Experience of treating missing data in network models.

F3 Experience writing R packages.

F4 An emerging national or international reputation in network science, systems science, or health research.

Please note that as part of your application you must address and demonstrate how you meet EACH of the essential

Terms and Conditions

Salary: Grade 6/7, £32,332 - £36,024/£39,347 - £44,263 per annum.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.