Research Assistant

Research Assistant

COLLEGE OF Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences

SCHOOL/INSTITUTE School of Health and Wellbeing

Job Purpose

To contribute to the NIHR-funded OPTIMA project, “Orienting Policy Towards Inequality Minimising Actions (OPTIMA): A systems science approach to 20-minute neighbourhood policy and evaluation”.

Place-based interventions are increasingly of interest to policymakers attempting to tackle health inequalities (or, ‘Level Up’). Yet, the evidence base for these interventions to achieve this is insufficient. As is frequently the case, policy is having to move beyond the evidence-base to attempt solutions to large societal challenges, and more dynamic and forward-looking methods are required. This project will:

•         Examine a large place-based intervention, the 20-minute neighbourhood in Scotland, set to impact on populations at scale, before costs have been fully sunk;

•         Use cutting-edge data and dynamic, future-oriented system simulation methods to build on the current evidence, and draw on consistent and close stakeholder and public engagement to align evidence generation to evolving policy needs;

•         Produce and communicate to stakeholders new health inequality-specific evidence for place-based interventions, and modelling and data assets that can be further built-upon as our understanding of the mechanisms and impacts continues to grow.

The successful candidate will lead on delivery of the qualitative (‘soft systems’) side of the project. You will:

1)      Conduct a realist review of the literature to compile the ‘system rules’ that the modelling is based on;

2)      Conduct stakeholder workshops (with policy stakeholders and communities) to inform and fill evidence gaps via real-world lived and policy experience and expertise;

3)      Help grade the quality of the evidence gathered above to inform future research and the uncertainty incorporated into the modelling process.

You will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help shape and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow. You will work alongside Dr Corinna Elsenbroich and colleagues in the first work package, and be line managed by the project’s co-PI, Dr Jonathan Stokes.

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

1.            Work with the multi-disciplinary project team to refine and develop the realist review protocol, and lead on delivery.

2.            Work with the multi-disciplinary project team to plan the content for stakeholder workshops, and lead on delivery.

3.            Work with the multi-disciplinary project team to plan the evidence grading criteria, and apply these to the current evidence-base. Ensure these key modelling assumptions and uncertainties are understandable in plain-English.

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

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

6.            Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/School/Research Group, 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.

7.            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.

8.            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.

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

10.         Engage non-academic audiences in or with your research – as partners, participants, collaborators and research users.

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

12.         Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

13.         Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

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

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1: SCQF Level 10 [Honours degree] in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent.

Desirable:

B1: An awarded [or recently submitted or near completion] PhD in subject specialism or equivalent.

Skills

Essential:

C1: A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the intersection of place (geography) and health inequalities.

C2: Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.

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 appropriate.

Desirable:

D1: Knowledge of and interest in linking quantitative and qualitative systems science methods.

D2: Detailed, specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of conducting soft systems methods (including realist review and soft systems workshops) and expertise in using relevant software applications.

Experience

Essential:

E1: Previous experience and knowledge of conducting realist reviews.

E2: Sufficient relevant research experience [or equivalent] appropriate to an early career researcher.

E3: Project or subject specific experience.

E4: Experience of scientific writing.

E5: Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

E6: Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field.

Desirable:

F1: Prior experience of working in interdisciplinary teams, especially those spanning health, social, and/or economic sciences.

F2: Prior experience of working with policy stakeholders in relevant policy areas.

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

Informal enquiries may be directed to[email protected]**.**

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £32,332 - £36,024 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 36 months

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

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

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.