Research Assistant/Associate

Job Purpose

You will contribute to/make a leading contribution to the NIHR/DHSC Policy Innovation Research Unit (PIRU), conducting policy-relevant research including evaluation and policy modelling in the first instance. You will be working with Prof. Vittal Katikireddi at the University of Glasgow and a team led by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (Director: Ellen Nolte). The work will be highly policy responsive and will require conducting rapid and responsive research to meet the needs of policymakers in a timely fashion. You will have a specific role in focusing on health inequalities within epidemiological analyses, policy evaluation and will also be required to develop and apply microsimulation models to anticipate potential impacts of new and existing policies on health inequalities.

The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of Prof. Katikireddi and the PIRU team: 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/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.

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 relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent.

A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of public health, typically from a Masters in Public Health degree or equivalent. A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of health inequalities and causal inference methods.

Desirable:

B1 An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in subject specialism or equivalent

For appointment at grade 7: Essential:

A4 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)

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential:

C1 Skills in policy microsimulation modelling, quantitative epidemiological analysis and evidence synthesis (including systematic reviews).

C2 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability, including being able to work with qualitative researchers and patients/public with lived experience of health conditions being studied. 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, including ability to conduct advanced statistical analytical techniques using a relevant software package (e.g. R, Stata, SAS). C7 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

C8 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

For appointment at grade 7:

Essential:

C9 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within public health research, with a specific focus on health inequalities

C10 Knowledge of advanced computer programming techniques and reproducible coding, as well as microsimulation modelling.

Desirable:

D1 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 Relevant experience related to quantitative methods (including causal analytical techniques) and policy simulation modelling.

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:

Essential.

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.

E10 Experience in conducting advanced computer programming and capable of writing code in relevant compiled languages (e.g. C++, JAVA), as well as high-level languages.

Desirable.

F1 An emerging national or international reputation

F2 Previous experience in conducting research on the social determinants of health and health inequalities.

F3 Experience in conducting microsimulation modelling related to health outcomes.

Please note that as part of your application you must address and demonstrate how you meet EACH of the essential/desirable criteria. This post would be suitable for job-share.

If you are interested in discussing this post informally, please contact [email protected]

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.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £39,347 - £44,263 per annum.

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

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.