Research Associate

University of Glasgow, United Kingdom

Updated: 2 days ago

Location: Glasgow, SCOTLAND

Deadline: 29 Apr 2024

Research Associate

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE & VETERINARY LIFE SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND WELLBEING

GRADE 7

Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution to Enhancing Policy Modelling, one of UKRI’s recently funded Population Health Improvement UK (PHI-UK) Themes. More specifically, the post will conduct causal epidemiological analyses to quantify the health impacts of economic determinants of health, particularly wealth, income, welfare benefits and education/skills and their societal distribution, using longitudinal (repeated measures) data. You may also have a role in supporting evidence syntheses (such as systematic reviews) of similar research questions and to work with other Themes funded as part of the PHI-UK Network. Estimates of the health effects of wealth and other economic determinants will then be used for policy microsimulation modelling. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the preparation of research publications, policy briefings, presentations to stakeholders, and research proposals, as well as help manage and shape this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

You will be based within the School of Health & Wellbeing and supervised by Prof. S Vittal Katikireddi.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.

Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/ School/ Research Group, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint 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.

Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

Engage with non-academic partners in your research – as collaborators, participants, and research users.

Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and policy and practice-focused workshops to develop and enhance our research profile and impact.

Take a leading role in 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.

Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. Academic and Industrial Partners).

Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.

Take the lead in 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.

Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.

Make a leading contribution to Teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.

Contribute to the Unit’s public engagement and knowledge exchange activities to ensure research evidence reaches and influences a broad range of stakeholders.

Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.

Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 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)

A2 SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent.

Skills

Essential:

C1 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future research directions within health inequalities, social epidemiology and the economic determinants of health.

C2 Knowledge of causal epidemiology, including an understanding of g-methods (e.g. marginal structural models, g-computation) and econometric techniques (e.g. fixed-effects models, difference-in-differences).

C3 Experience in analysing longitudinal (repeated measures) data (e.g. Understanding Society, birth cohorts) and applying techniques to address attrition (e.g. inverse probability weighting) and missing data (e.g. multiple imputation).

C4 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).

C5 Effective verbal and written communications skills, especially communicating research to non-academic audiences including policy partners, media and communities.

C6 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.

Desirable:

D1 Experience conducting causal epidemiological analyses.

D2 Experience conducting systematic reviews.

D3 Previous experience in carrying out research on the economic determinants of health.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

E2 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.

E3 Experience of successfully engaging with non-academic audiences to create research impact.

E4 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.

E5 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.

E6 Experience in successfully contributing in the context of interdisciplinary research teams.

Desirable:

F1 An emerging national or international reputation.

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

Please contact [email protected] if you would like to informally discuss the post.

Terms and Conditions

Salary: Grade 7 £39,347 - £44,263 per annum

This post is full time, and has funding for 3 years.

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/.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

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 3 years