Research Fellow - Applied Health Research - 97915 - Grade 7

Position Details

Institute of Applied Health Research
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,942 to £40,322, with potential progression once in post to £42,792.
Grade 7 
Full Time - FTC up to 12 months - we will accept part time applicants and a job share would be considered
Closing date 28 November 2021

Background

The post-holder will be hosted in the Biostatistics, Evidence Synthesis & Test Evaluation Research Group of the Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences at the University of Birmingham. This research group and the Institute hosts a diverse range of groups active in systematic reviews and related methodologies.

The purpose of this post is to undertake, contribute to or provide support to others undertaking systematic reviews to internationally recognised quality standards. 

Job Summary

The post holder will work across a variety of projects involving systematic reviews and evidence syntheses, with a major focus of the role being supporting systematic reviews undertaken within the National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre (NIHR SRMRC; https://srmrc.nihr.ac.uk/) related to trauma research.

The post-holder will be:

•    Expected to undertake, contribute to or advise on all stages of a systematic review: protocol development; searching for, reviewing, appraising and synthesising the evidence using validated systematic reviewing techniques; writing papers and reports.
•    Expected to already have proven skills in undertaking systematic reviews to internationally recognised quality standards.
•    Expected to contribute to group development of research ideas/projects and applications for research funding to undertake these; for example specifying the key elements of systematic review methodology and considering time required to undertake the proposed review.
•    Encouraged to develop their own research ideas and/or grant applications.
•    Expected to contribute to undergraduate and post-graduate teaching and related activities commensurate with experience and abilities
•    Take opportunities for training, if required, in support of the role; the participation in such CPD activities is encouraged. 

Main Duties

The responsibilities will include some but may not include all of the responsibilities outlined below.

General
•    To undertake, contribute to or advise on the undertaking of systematic reviews using validated systematic review methods 
•    To contribute to the production of research reports and publications and to lead on such reports where appropriate
•    To collaborate with line manager, project leaders, research collaborators, research team members and other professionals appropriate to the role and under the direction of the line manager
•    To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor/line manager if required
•    To contribute to the development and submission of applications for research funding
•    To contribute to teaching activities

Research
•    To determine the scope for new systematic reviews, through becoming familiar with the topic area, identifying existing research and research gaps and liaising with clinical, methodological and other collaborators and with patient groups(as appropriate)
•    To write or contribute to protocols for new systematic reviews or critically appraising protocols produced by others
•    To identify relevant literature relating to the research question from electronic and other sources
•    To design and run complex search strategies on electronic bibliographic databases 
•    To maintain records using reference management software
•    To undertake study selection.
•    To undertake data extraction from, and quality assessment of, research studies using validated systematic review methods  
•    To undertake narrative synthesis, and, if appropriate, meta-analyses
•    To contribute to the interpretation of results of systematic reviews and meta-analyses 
•    To undertake or participate in disseminating research findings using appropriate and effective media such as publications, posters, research seminars etc.
•    To undertake management/administration tasks arising from or in support of research
•    To provide guidance on technical aspects of systematic review methodology to other researchers

Teaching and training
•    To provide guidance, as required and within scope of role, to more junior research staff, support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research 
•    To contribute to undergraduate and/or postgraduate teaching, commensurate with experience and ability
•    To begin to develop a teaching portfolio and develop own teaching materials as appropriate
•    As required and within scope of role, to advise/supervise undergraduate, and taught post-graduate students on research related work and provide guidance to post-graduate research and PhD students

Other (as appropriate and if required)
•    To contribute to Institute research-related activities and research-related administration
•    To contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
    
Person Specification

Qualifications
•    First degree in a scientific, medical or health related subject and a post-graduate degree (or higher) in a scientific, medical or health related subject

Knowledge
•    Detailed knowledge of systematic review and meta-analysis principles and methodology 
•    Knowledge of medical, technical and scientific terminology and ability to understand research questions. 

Skills:
•    Understanding of the range of different study designs and research methods applied to health and healthcare
•    Excellent working/practical knowledge of systematic review methodology
•    Ability to undertake all aspects of a systematic review to publication standard
•    Ability to communicate complex information clearly, both written and orally
•    Excellent attention to detail and high standards of accuracy in all aspects of work
•    High level analytical capability
•    Good team working ethic
•    Experience of, or aptitude for, teaching others
•    Ability and experience of administration/management tasks and roles associated with the research environment
•    Experience/knowledge of, or a desire to take part in, the processes of preparing and submitting research grant applications 
•    Experience of undertaking meta-analysis and using meta-analytic software (e.g. Review Manager, STATA)
•    Experience in using reference management software (e.g. Endnote) 
•    Experience of using common office/research computer packages (e.g. MS Word, Excel)

Key Experience:
•    Proven skills in undertaking systematic reviews to publication standard 
•    Ideally more than two years’ experience of working in a systematic review or evidence synthesis environment or team
•    Experience of producing reports/publications, ideally as a first or corresponding author.

Informal enquiries to Dr David Moore - [email protected] 

Further particulars can be found here:http://www.download.bham.ac.uk/vacancies/jd/MDSFPs.pdf

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment 
  
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.