Senior Research Associate in Behavioural Epidemiology

*Appointment to Senior Research Associate is subject to approval by the Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine.

The MRC Epidemiology Unit is seeking to appoint a Senior Research Associate in Behavioural Epidemiology. We are looking for a highly-motivated, hard-working and focused researcher with a background in intervention development and evaluation and/or behavioural or social science to join our multi-disciplinary team to lead on the development and evaluation of behaviour change interventions.

This is a permanent position based in the Unit's Behavioural Epidemiology and Interventions in Young People Programme (Lead: Dr Esther van Sluijs), working closely with other groups in the Unit, the University and external collaborators. The primary role of the post-holder will be the identification, development, implementation and evaluation of interventions to promote young people's physical activity and dietary behaviour. Integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines, co-development of interventions, intervention implementation and mixed-method pragmatic evaluation will be critical aspects of the role.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in public health, epidemiology, behavioural science or a closely-related field. Applicants will also have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be motivated, independent individuals with demonstrable experience in intervention development, implementation and evaluation, preferably in young people. The successful candidate will also have strong interpersonal skills and have demonstrable experience of successfully delivering and disseminating intervention research, and working effectively independently and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.

The MRC Epidemiology Unit is a department within the University of Cambridge's School of Clinical Medicine and is situated within the Institute of Metabolic Science on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Its mission is to study the genetic, developmental and environmental factors that cause obesity, diabetes and related metabolic disorders and develop strategies for their prevention. The MRC Epidemiology Unit also hosts the UKCRC Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR), a Centre of Excellence in Public Health Research focusing on developing understanding about the population-level determinants of dietary and physical activity behaviours and on evaluating interventions that impact on these behaviours.

Alongside a competitive salary, University staff are eligible for a comprehensive package of benefits and services include discounts on shopping, health care, financial services and public transport. We also offer defined benefits pension schemes and tax-efficient bicycle, car lease and charity-giving schemes.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a security check and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please contact Dr Esther van Sluijs (esther.vansluijs@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk ) for informal enquiries.

The closing date is 9th December 2020 and interviews will likely be held on Monday 11th January 2021.

Please quote reference SJ24694 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.