Post-Doctoral Researcher, School of Public Health

9 Months, Fixed-Term, Whole-time Post

Position Summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic Post-Doctoral Researcher to work on a project to optimise diabetes audit and feedback for General Practitioners (GP) and General Practice Nurses. 

Using a user-centred design approach, this project will evaluate the usability of an electronic feedback report in general practice. The feedback report will be developed and tested iteratively over the course of the project, drawing on GP and GP Nurse preferences, theory, and evidence of best practice.

The project is funded by the Health Research Board Applied Partnership Award in collaboration with Diabetes in General Practice, an initiative of 86 practices based in Cork and Kerry. 

About the role

Day-to-day activities include but are not limited to:

•         Completing the synthesis for a rapid evidence review to identify international    examples of clinical performance feedback.

•         Analysing qualitative data collected during focus groups and interviews with healthcare professionals.

•         Organising and conducting design workshops with health professionals

•         Carrying out user testing in general practice to refine the electronic feedback report

•         Working with diverse stakeholders, including general practice, design, and engineering collaborators over the course of the project to develop and refine feedback prototypes.

•         Drafting scientific manuscripts, reports, and presentations for diverse audiences

•         Identifying and pursuing opportunities for knowledge exchange and dissemination 

What we offer

This full-time post offers an exciting opportunity to work on an applied research project. The successful candidate will join the Health Implementation Research Hub, a growing team of implementation researchers at the School of Public Health. Through the Project Steering Group, the candidate will interact regularly with experts in the field of implementation science, audit and feedback, user-centred design, and related disciplines. The candidate will have the opportunity to travel to scientific conferences and events to present research results. 

Skills and experience required

Applicants should hold a PhD degree in health services research, health psychology, public health, or a related social science discipline. Experience collecting and analysing qualitative data is essential. Experience in implementation research, user-centred design or intervention development is desirable. Experience communicating and disseminating research for policy and practice is also desirable. 

Experience engaging in collaborative research with stakeholder groups including health professionals is essential. Candidates must demonstrate strong organizational, planning, oral and written communication skills, scientific writing, and project management skills. The successful applicant must be a self-starter who is comfortable taking initiative. 

Project Title: : Optimising practice feedback to improve diabetes care 

Post Duration: 9 Months

Salary:  €42,781 - €49,177 (IUA PD1 Scale)

For an information package including further details of the post see https://ore.ucc.ie/.  

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Sheena McHugh, Senior Lecturer School of Public Health, Tel: + 353 (0) 21 420 5513 ; Email: [email protected]

Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal (https://ore.ucc.ie/). Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to [email protected], quoting the job-title and project name.

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Wednesday, 24th April 2024.

No late applications will be accepted.

Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector.

UCC is committed to creating and fully embracing an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated.  As a University we strive to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our student population where people from a wide variety of backgrounds learn from one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively. UCC is committed to being an employer that recognises the value of diversity amongst its staff.  We encourage applicants to consult our policies at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/policies/ and initiatives at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/implementation/ and we welcome applications from everyone, including those who are underrepresented in the protected characteristics set out in our Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy. 

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER