Senior Research Fellow (75050-0621)

Vacancy Type/Job category
Research Only
Department
Warwick Medical School, Clinical Trials Unit
Salary
£41,526 - £49,553 per annum
Location
University of Warwick, Coventry
Vacancy Overview
Full-time, Indefinite Linked to Funding until 30 April 2023
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced statistician to take a lead role in clinical projects and provide statistical input into the design, conduct and analysis of trials. You will provide statistical oversight for studies/trials assigned within the Warwick Clinical Trials Unit (WCTU) and will be responsible for all statistical aspects of the projects WCTU portfolio of studies.
The post holder will supervise medical statisticians working on all aspects of the WCTU clinical trials. You will develop links with investigators throughout the UK assisting them with their clinical studies, from start to completion. Current areas of research include cancer, emergency and critical care, mental health, musculoskeletal disorders and pain, rehabilitation, trauma and Orthopaedics.
Successful applicants will have a PhD in Statistics/Mathematics with a substantial content of statistics (or a MSc in Medical Statistics/Statistics and substantial experience), as well as experience in the design, conduct, analysis and reporting of clinical trials, be competent with either STATA, R or SAS and have excellent organisation and communication skills.
The exact projects to be undertaken will be determined by discussion with the successful applicant.
Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Ranjit Lall ([email protected])
Job Description
Job purpose
To take a lead role in clinical projects and provide statistical input into the design, conduct and analysis of trials. To provide statistical oversight for studies/trials assigned within the Warwick Clinical Trials Unit (WCTU) and will be responsible for all statistical aspects of the projects WCTU portfolio of studies.
The post holder will supervise medical statisticians working on all aspects of the WCTU clinical trials, develop links with investigators throughout the UK assisting them with their clinical studies, from start to completion. Current areas of research include cancer, emergency and critical care, mental health, musculoskeletal disorders and pain, rehabilitation, trauma and Orthopaedics.
Duties and responsibilities
1. To lead and/or project manage grant funding applications and projects in areas that complement and strengthen the current activity and strategy of the CTU. It is expected that the applicant will develop substantial external grant income, and will be successful in obtaining funding to ensure long-term continuance.
2. To work with the CTU Director and the Head of Statistics with the aim to develop Warwick CTU’s portfolio of clinical trials and related statistical research studies
3. To contribute to the strategic and tactical management of the CTU, including development of strategy, identifying potential funding and opportunities, planning for REF, representing the research group, Division or Warwick Medical School at Internal or External meetings.
4. To attract external grant income and/or contribute to interdisciplinary research grant proposals
5. To oversee trials and other projects, in collaboration with investigators, trial coordinators and project managers and ensure the delivery of the designated projects
6. To contribute to the analysis and reporting during the running of the study (e.g. Data Monitoring Committee and Trial Steering Committee) through to the end of the project (final project report)
7. To design and manage pilot studies, systematic/literature reviews and other research to support funding applications; foster collaboration with clinicians, locally and nationally.
8. To achieve and maintain a national and international profile in research in a chosen field through regular publication and presentation of research results.
9. To support and manage junior staff, by providing expertise in a specified area of research and/or clinical expertise and encouraging their development.
10. To secure funding for and supervise MSc/PhD students within Warwick CTU.
11. To ensure that high quality research is undertaken in accordance with relevant legislation (e.g. EU Clinical Trials Directive, Data Protection Act, Human Rights Act), Good Clinical Practice, Information Governance and within the requirement of Research Governance, that projects are delivered on time, within budget and disseminated within the clinical and patient community.

Person Specification

The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. This is measured by (a) Application Form, (b) Test/Exercise, (c) Interview, (d) Presentation.

Essential Criteria 1
First degree (Class I or II) or equivalent in a subject containing a substantial coverage of statistics or a taught Masters degree or equivalent in Statistics, Medical Statistics (a)
Essential Criteria 2
PhD or equivalent in statistics, medical statistics, epidemiology or other relevant discipline (a)
Essential Criteria 3
Substantial experience of working in clinical trials and/or epidemiological research (a, c, d)
Essential Criteria 4
Ability to contribute to research projects requiring both applied and methodological statistical input (a, c)
Essential Criteria 5
Ability to initiate, develop and deliver a programme of high quality research on time (a, c)
Essential Criteria 6
Developing track record of producing high quality academic publications (a, c)
Essential Criteria 7
Proven ability and major achievements in research, demonstrated by a consistently high performance in research (a, c)
Essential Criteria 8
Ability to make a substantial contribution to generating external funding (grants, contracts etc) to support research projects (a, c)
Essential Criteria 9
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work well with colleagues, build networks and attract external funding (a, c)
Essential Criteria 10
Good organisational skills with the capacity of working well under pressure (c)
Essential Criteria 11
Ability to work independently and as part of a team on research programmes (a, c)
Essential Criteria 12
Ability to write research reports and papers in styles accessible to both academic and policy audiences (a, c)
Essential Criteria 13
Demonstrable interest in clinical trials (a, c)
Essential Criteria 14
Extensive experience of using standard statistical packages, such as STATA, R and SAS (a, c)
Essential Criteria 15
Ability to explain complex statistical issues to non-statisticians (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 1
Experience of line management (b, c)
Desirable Criteria 2
Experience of conducting systematic reviews and knowledge of systematic review statistical techniques (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 3
Experience of managing complex statistical projects (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 4
Previous supervision of PhD Students (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 5
Knowledge of computer-based database management and data extraction/reporting techniques (e.g. SQL server, SAS Link/SQL or ORACLE) (a, c)
Further Particulars
Warwick Medical School
For further information about the department, please visit the departmental website
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars .
Right to work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/ or are seeking sponsorship under Tier 2 of the UK points-based immigration system please click on this link which contains further information about obtaining right to work in the UK and details about eligibility for sponsorship under Tier 2.
Diversity and Inclusion
The University of Warwick provides an inclusive working and learning environment, recognising and respecting every individual’s differences. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010.

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy

As an organisation using the (DBS) Disclosure and Barring Service to assess applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, the University of Warwick complies with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. More information is available on the University’s Vacancy pages and applicants may request a copy of the DBS Code of Practice.

Closing Date
3 Aug 2021