Research Assistant (0.2FTE) - Psychosocial Impact of Infertility, Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine (University of Galway 074-24)

22 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Galway

Research Field

Medical sciences » Medicine

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Ireland

Application Deadline

5 Apr 2024 - 17:00 (Europe/London)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Part-time

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

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a part-time (0.2 FTE) fixed term position as a Research Assistant with the Discipline of General Practice, in the School of Medicine, at the University of Galway, Ireland.  

  

This position is funded by a research grant from the University of Galway and is available from 1 July 2024 to contract end date of 31 December 2024 (6 months).  

 

Further information about University of Galway’s School of Medicine is available at School of Medicine Webpage . 

 

Further information about The MPS Foundation is available at The MPS Foundation . 

 

Job Description:  

Infertility is considered to be a priority public health issue. In the European Union, 25 million citizens are estimated to experience infertility and the prevalence is increasing year-on-year. Research suggests a number of negative outcomes for women and couples experiencing infertility including reduced quality of life and health-related quality of life, higher scores on measures of depression and anxiety, and an increased frequency of sexual and psychological problems. There are also significant financial impacts or considerations for individuals/couples experiencing infertility who pursue assisted reproductive treatments such as IVF.  This project will draw on existing literature to better elucidate the psychosocial impact of experiencing infertility on women, men, and couples so as to inform appropriate supports for individuals affected. 

  

This post offers an excellent opportunity for the successful candidate to be immersed within a multi-disciplinary research team with a strong research track record. The successful candidate will support the conduct of a meta-review that synthesises research on the psychosocial impact of infertility and will work closely with the PI (Dr Sinéad Lydon). They will contribute to conducting literature searches, extracting data from included papers, appraising study quality, synthesising the studies identified for inclusion, and preparing a draft manuscript for submission. The candidate will be supported and mentored in their professional development, be able to avail of a range of training opportunities, and will have the potential to write a first author journal article. 

  

Duties:   

The successful candidate will be a member of a multi-disciplinary team of researchers and healthcare professionals. They will:   

• Conduct searches of electronic databases and reference list screening;  
• Lead, under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and, appropriately manage, the extraction of data from studies identified for inclusion; 
• Appraise the quality of studies identified for inclusion;  
• Synthesise the data resulting from the review;  
• Assist with the preparation of manuscripts and other outputs, and; 
• Liaise with other researchers contributing to the project to support their participation and engagement. 
• Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post. 

 

Qualifications/Skills required:  

Essential Requirements:  

• Masters in Psychology, or a related discipline.  
• Prior involvement in conducting a systematic review. 
• Experience of working as a research assistant within a population health or health services research project. 
• Previous peer-reviewed publication(s) 
• Evidence of excellent communication and organisational skills.  

Desirable Requirements:  

• Completion of coursework relating to the conduct of systematic reviews. 
• Completion of coursework in the area of population health and health services research. 
• Receipt of first class honours within Masters Degree. 
• Experience of delivering conference presentations. 

 

Employment permit restrictions apply for this category of post  

 

Salary: Research Assistant salary scale €30,025 - €39,908 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.  

 

The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale. 

(Research Salary Scales - University of Galway)  

  

Start date: Position is available from July 1st 2024. 

 

Continuing Professional Development/Training: 

Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia.  Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment - see HERE  for further information. 

 

Further information on research and working at University of Galway is available on Research at University of Galway  

 

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie   

 

Informal enquiries concerning the post may be made to Dr Sinéad Lydon (Associate Professor in Primary Care, School of Medicine) by email to [email protected] .  

 

To Apply: 

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Dr Sinéad Lydon, email:  [email protected]  

 

Please put reference number University of Galway 074-24 in subject line of e-mail application. 

 

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm (Irish Time) 5th April 2024 

 

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post. 

 

University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer. 

 

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment  

Requirements

Research Field

Medical sciences » Medicine

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Galway

Country

Europe

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

State/Province

Ireland

City

Galway

Website

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/

Street

University Road

Postal Code

H91 TK33

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED