Research Assistant, School Health Research Network, DECIPHer

18131BR

Cardiff School of Social Sciences

Research

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Research Assistant, School Health Research Network, DECIPHer

Cardiff University School of Social Sciences is recruiting a Research Assistant, Data Management, to work within the Schools Health Research Network (SHRN)  within the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public HEalth ImpRovement, (DECIPHer) research centre that is located within the School.

In this role you will contribute to the Schools Health Research Network (SHRN) through the development and implementation of rigorous data collection and management processes and systems. To support SHRN outputs and research funding bids and contribute to the overall research performance of DECIPHer, the School of Social Sciences and Cardiff University, carrying out research leading to positive social impact.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), is fixed term until 31st March 2025 and is immediately available.

Salary: £32,332 - £34,980 per annum (Grade 5) with 3 annual increments up to £34,980 per annum (final salary at top of grade).

Responsible to Dr Nicholas Page

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Dr Page [email protected] Tel 029 2251 1069

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (including bank holidays), blended working (meaning you will be able to work from home for some of your time), a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

As the biggest university in Wales – and a major employer, with more than 7,000 staff – we are an ambitious and innovative university located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. We can offer you the chance to work in a vibrant organisation, with great benefits and opportunities for progression.

Date advert posted: Thursday, 1 February 2024

Closing date: Thursday, 29 February 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Job Description

Research

• To support the development and implementation of SHRN data management processes and systems.
• To ensure that work is undertaken and documented in a regulatory compliant way and be prepared for regular audits and inspections, as well as contributing to the development of the quality management system for the area of data management.
• To support the conduct of the biennial national SHRN survey.
• To support quantitative analyses of and development of peer-reviewed publications using data generated by SHRN.
• To contribute to the development of research funding bids across DECIPHer research programmes.
• To contribute to the overall research performance of DECIPHer, the School of Social Sciences, and University. 
• To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and software packages.
• To resolve issues and support senior colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• To present research at team meetings, through publications, at conferences, and to external partners as appropriate.
• To develop, maintain and update areas of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature where appropriate.

Other

• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.
•  

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

A degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience.

Knowledge and understanding of issues associated with conducting large scale surveys, data management and appropriate legal and ethical frameworks.

Experience of quantitative methods.

Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately.

Experience of working successfully with policy and practice partners.

Proven communication skills, including presentations to various audiences.

Excellent organisational and team-working skills.

Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within projects.

Proven commitment to public health improvement research.

Excellent knowledge of research methods and techniques within specialist field.

Desirable Criteria

• Postgraduate degree at Masters or PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant experience.
• Evidence of working successfully within DECIPHer research programme areas.
• Proven ability to work without close supervision.
• A full driving license and access to a vehicle.
• Welsh speaker.

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

 It is Cardiff University's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for shortlisting. Therefore, candidates must evidence they meet ALL the essential criteria and, where relevant, the desirable.

As part of the application process, you are asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined in the person specification. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide for each criterion.

 When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure you name it with the vacancy reference number: XXXXBR.

Your application will be at risk of not being progressed if you do not evidence you have met all essential criteria. The school welcomes the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

Please note that these are also the criteria shortlisted applicants will be assessed against at interview and/or by other means (e.g. a skills test).

Additional Information

DECIPHer (Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement)

Established via UKCRC funding as one of 5 Public Health Research Centre of Excellence in 2009 - 2019, DECIPHer (Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement) is now a Health and Care Research Wales funded public health research centre of excellence. It continues to develop and evaluate complex interventions for public health improvement, with a primary focus on children and young people. Since 2009, DECIPHer has aimed to conduct research that:
•            leads to measurable improvements in the health of children and young people
•            co-produces and evaluates interventions at multiple ecological levels that are effective in improving health and reducing health inequalities, and can be maintained in real world practice

On going funding for DECIPHer has ensured that we continue to provide:
•            a platform for internationally excellent multidisciplinary research in the development and evaluation of complex interventions to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people and address health inequalities
•            an internationally excellent environment for multidisciplinary public health improvement research career development
•            a focal point in Wales for collaboration between academia, policy, practice and the public in public health improvement research that will maximise its relevance, innovation, translation and impact.

DECIPHer hosts the School Health Research Network and an internationally recognised programme of research and teaching in methodology for the development and evaluation of interventions. In the next five years, DECIPHer will focus on health improvement research across four core research programmes: Healthy public policy, Healthy social relationships, Healthy Settings and Organisations, Methodological innovation in complex intervention science

DECIPHER is located at the Cardiff University Social Science Research Park (SPARK) alongside a large number of other social science research centres. It is part of the School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University and works across the University, including colleagues in the Cardiff Trials Unit The Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health and the School of Medicine. The School of Social Sciences is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research and teaching across a range of subject areas, including sociology, policy studies, criminology, education and social work

Over 220 staff (including over 30 professors and 60 researchers) are involved in a substantial programme of research - both fundamental and strategic - funded by ESRC, AHRC, MRC, charitable foundations, the European Union, Central Government departments and agencies and voluntary associations. Since its creation in 1999, the School has received over 25 million pounds for funded research. The School has a large student population, with almost 1000, and 300 postgraduates (including 100 postgraduate research students). The School has ESRC recognition for doctoral training the fields of Sociology, Education, Social Policy, Criminology and Science, Technology and Innovation. The School offers a number of scholarships, bursaries and studentships each year. Our taught and postgraduate research programmes welcome students from around the world.

DECIPHer supports blended working arrangements

Job Category

Academic - Research