Postdoctoral Fellow - Evidence synthesis for clinical guidelines

8 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

RCSI - Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Department

Human Resources

Research Field

Medical sciences » Health sciences

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Ireland

Application Deadline

4 Feb 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Dublin)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

39

Offer Starting Date

4 Mar 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Job Title: Postdoctoral Fellow
Department: Dept Public Health & Epidemiology, School of Population Health
Reporting to: Dr Barbara Clyne
Location: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Dublin 2
Contract/Duration: Specified Purpose Contract (to December 2024), full-time
Remuneration: IUA scale: Post doctorate researcher (PD1), Level 3
Closing Date: 4th February 2024

About the School of Population Health

Established in 2022, the School of Population Health (SPH) builds on existing strengths at RCSI in behavioural science for population health, analytic and population health sciences. The School comprises the Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Department of Health Psychology, Data Science Centre, Healthcare Outcomes Research Centre, Institute of Global Surgery and SPHeRE (Structured Population health, Policy and Health-services Research Education – national doctoral programme). It includes some 75 academic, research and professional staff, as well as 28 PhD scholars. Population health scientists and researchers at RCSI have an impressive, multi-year track record undertaking impactful multi-disciplinary research and collaborating with an extensive network of international and national partners.

Summary of Post

Background to the Project

Clinical guidelines are part of the landscape of evidence-based healthcare and are considered a key foundation for quality improvement in healthcare in many countries. They are systematically developed statements or recommendations aimed to guide healthcare professionals and patients about appropriate healthcare for specific clinical circumstances. Guideline development involves both rigorous syntheses of the best available evidence (evidence synthesis, e.g. systematic reviews) and the translation of this evidence into recommendations. The overarching aim of this programme of research is to support clinical guideline development processes by improving the understanding and use of evidence, particularly systematic reviews and other evidence syntheses, in formulating recommendations and policies. The programme of research has three work packages related to the

Optimal selection of evidence synthesis methods;

Communication of the findings of evidence synthesis;

Translation of research evidence into recommendations.

Across the work packages, projects have involved evidence synthesis, consensus based techniques (Delphi, nominal group technique) and qualitative (interviews) methodologies (https://osf.io/sk4nx/wiki/home/ ). We are seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Researcher to support the ongoing activities of this programme of research. We are seeking a researcher with skills in qualitative data collection and analysis and some experience of evidence synthesis, manuscript write-up and, project management.

This project is funded by a Health Research Board (HRB) Emerging Investigator Award (EIA) which was awarded to Dr Barbara Clyne (Principal Investigator/PI) and is a collaboration with the health technology assessment (HTA) directorate in the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

Specifically, the duties of the post are:

• Work with the PI, Postdoctoral Researcher and Research Assistant, and wider research team, to ensure the success of the project;
• Develop, pilot and refine data collection methods (qualitative and consensus based techniques)
• Recruit participants;
• Conduct and analyse qualitative interviews;
• Develop research ethics applications where appropriate;
• Contribute to peer reviewed academic publications;
• Assist in the dissemination of research findings to academic and policy audiences (via conferences etc.);
• Support the preparation for project management group meetings;
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities as may be determined by the PI.

Requirements

Research Field

Medical sciences » Health sciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Qualifications – (Essential):

• PhD or equivalent in a relevant area (e.g. health services research, social science, psychology, health economics, sociology).
• Track record in Health Services Research/Population Health research with demonstrable relevant technical skills, for example, qualitative interview skills.

Knowledge & Experience – (Essential):

• Evidence of conducting/and or taking part in all aspects of:
  • Scoping reviews; OR
  • Qualitative studies, from study design to data collection, analysis and publication of findings; OR
  • Discrete choice experiments.
• Project management experience with strong organisational and administrative skills and ability to prioritise objectives and work under deadlines;
• Excellent writing skills and experience of publication in international peer review journals in a relevant field;
• Knowledge of the healthcare environment in Ireland and understanding of the role of HTA in policy making;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• The ability to work on one’s own initiative as well as in a team environment.

Knowledge & Experience – (Desirable):

• Experience in developing and working with PPI panels;
• Computer skills including ability to use appropriate software such as NVivo and Covidence.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Medical sciences » Health sciences

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Additional Information
Benefits

• Minimum of 20 days annual leave, plus an additional 6.5 Privilege days
• Flexible/hybrid working options for colleagues across many roles
• Additional leave options incl. paid maternity leave, paternity/parental leave, study leave
• 7% Employer pension contribution
• Onsite gym €10 per/mth incl. classes and PT sessions
• Childcare support 20% discount at Giraffe
• Free eye test and annual flu vaccination
• TaxSaver commuter tickets and Bike to Work schemes
• A site sustainability team focusing on the environmental initiatives; Green Campus Initiative ’
• Competitively priced café and restaurant
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion forums, and network groups
• Employee assistance programme with Spectrum Life
• Learning and Development training programmes incl. LinkedIn Learning for career progression
• Discounted services incl. GP visits, 10% off dental, staff parking, mobile tariffs, Group Scheme discount on numerous brands
• Sports and social club incl. yoga, Pilates, fitness classes, Zumba, running club, social evenings, Summer BBQ
• Ticket Draws for events including; Rugby, Taste of Dublin, Dublin Horse Show, theatre, music & comedy events

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Country

Ireland

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://bit.ly/3vAqaBN

Contact

City

Dublin

Website

http://www.rcsi.ie/careers

Street

121/122 St. Stephen's Green

STATUS: EXPIRED