Research Assistant/Associate in the safer management of long-term conditions (LTCs) in disadvantaged

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Newcastle upon Tyne seeks a motivated researcher to join a multidisciplinary team focusing on epidemiology and public health outcomes. The role involves applying quantitative skills to address health inequalities through research. Candidates should have a postgraduate background in relevant fields such as epidemiology or biostatistics, strong statistical programming abilities, and excellent communication skills. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to impactful research projects and further develop your career in applied health service research.

Benefits

Generous holiday package

Excellent pension schemes

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience in epidemiology, statistics, or public health with a quantitative orientation.
• Experience in handling large datasets and applying statistical methods.
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience in research project management.

Responsibilities

• Develop plans for the conduct of specified projects.
• Perform epidemiological and statistical analyses.
• Support applications for ethical approvals.
• Present research findings at conferences.
• Prepare reports for funders and undertake dissemination activities.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Statistical programming

Data analysis using R or Stata

Communication skills

Problem-solving capability

Education

Masters degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, data science, or public health

PhD in a relevant area

Tools

R

Stata

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated researcher in epidemiology, data science for public health, or statistics - with a strong background in quantitative methods or statistical analysis and programming - to join a multidisciplinary research team in our NIHR Patient Safety Research Collaborative (PSRC), based in our School of Pharmacy. You will have an interest in the impact of disadvantage on patient safety, health and care outcomes, and (multiple) long-term conditions. This position offers an opportunity to make an impact on an overlooked area of research, whilst developing a career in applied health service research. The role will be focussed primarily on health and care outcomes and safety issues related to cancer and long-term conditions; it is an opportunity for an experienced researcher to apply and grow their quantitative skills applied to public health and health inequalities. We are particularly keen to recruit someone who can lead quantitative analyses, support peer‑reviewed publications, and other forms of dissemination, including presenting to decision‑makers, and practitioners and, over time, contribute to the development of funding bids for follow‑on research. There are up to two posts, and we envisage one post to focus on cancer and other to focus on other health and long‑term conditions with a strong emphasis on inequalities. You will work on - and be able to shape the direction of - a series of quantitative projects using large, national, health service and population datasets (eg Clinical Practice Research Datalink). Examples of projects include: (i) cancer diagnostic pathways, treatment utilisation and outcomes among people with other pre‑existing conditions (eg mental illness, dementia) at the time of cancer diagnosis; (ii) inequalities in utilisation of, adherence to, or long‑term adverse effects of, novel anti‑cancer medicines (eg immunotherapy): and (iii) inequalities in mental health and other long‑term conditions, including poor oral health outcomes. You will have an opportunity to get involved in supporting public & patient involvement and engagement (PPIE) activities. There may also be opportunities to get involved with projects using other research methodologies, such as systematic reviews, qualitative studies, or intervention design. In addition, you will be able to avail of extensive development opportunities within the PSRC and related networks including Fuse: Centre for Translational Research in Public Health and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration. You will join the REACH (Researching Equity, Access and Cancer Health outcomes) and/or Public Health & Health Inequalities (PHHI) teams within the FMS Population Health Sciences Institute (PHSI) (depending on which post you are appointed to), working alongside other researchers with expertise in cancer, and chronic disease prevention. Working under the general guidance of the PSRC Director, theme lead or another senior academic, you will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the theme projects, thus providing substantial 'added value'. Specific accountabilities will include:

Responsibilities

• Develop plans for the conduct of specified projects
• Determine appropriate methodologies required for the research, with advice and support where required
• Clean & prepare datasets for analysis and undertake programming for quantitative analyses
• Perform epidemiological and statistical analyses, including longitudinal analyses (e.g. using Cox and other regression models)
• Undertake rapid reviews of relevant literature to support and inform the relevant project(s)
• Support applications for data and securing relevant ethical and governance approvals
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
• In collaboration with colleagues, contribute to PPIE activities within the PSRC
• Present research findings at conferences and/or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline, and actively participate in other dissemination activities
• Prepare reports for funder and plan and undertake dissemination activities
• Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding and/or contribute to the writing of collective funding bids
• If required, assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research projects and dissertations and/or Research Assistants
• Develop effective working relationships with other colleagues and collaborators and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of PHSI and the PSRC
• Participate in project, REACH/PHHI, PSRC and PHSI meetings
• Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment

Key Qualifications

• Applicants should have post‑graduate training and/or significant work experience in epidemiology, statistics, public health or another discipline with a strong quantitative component.
• Experience of using R or Stata is essential, as are excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to handle and analyse large, complex routine healthcare data, applying appropriate statistical methods will be essential.
• Significant experience of statistical or epidemiological analysis of quantitative data.
• Experience of managing/curating research datasets and statistical programming.
• Experience of using Stata or R for data analysis.
• Ability to adhere to strict observation of data governance issues and data protection legislations.
• Presentations at conferences and/or high‑quality publications (appropriate for career stage).
• Evidence of writing for peer‑reviewed publications.
• Ability to rapidly acquire new skills.
• High level of analytical and problem‑solving capability.
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others.
• Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment.

Desirable

• Experience of analysing "big data" (e.g. cohort studies, routine health service data, primary care databases such as CPRD, UK Biobank)
• Knowledge or experience of cancer and/or chronic disease epidemiology.
• Experience in health‑related research projects.
• Experience of PPIE.
• Experience of writing research funding applications.
• Experience of other research methodologies (eg systematic reviews, qualitative research).

Attributes and Behaviour

• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Ability to carry out research with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail within agreed timelines, meeting project milestones and producing high‑quality research.
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work unsupervised and on own initiative.
• Ability to meet deadlines and to manage conflicting priorities.
• Ability to work flexibly and cooperatively with others and maintain confidentiality.

Qualifications

A Masters degree in a relevant area such as epidemiology, biostatistics, data science, or public health and with a strong quantitative component (for appointment at Assistant level).

A PhD in a relevant area and with a strong quantitative component (required for appointment at Associate level).

Benefits and Perks

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Inclusive Statement

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution. We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population. At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme. In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.