Research Associate - Department of Applied Health Sciences - 106159 - Grade 6

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Birmingham is seeking a Health Economics Research Associate to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Rapid Diagnostic Centres in the West Midlands. The ideal candidate will hold a Master's degree in Health Economics and have strong data analysis skills. This full-time, fixed-term position offers a salary range of £32,546 to £35,116 with the potential for progression. Responsibilities include data extraction, analysis, and participation in project meetings, as well as supporting teaching efforts in the Health Economics unit.

Qualifications

• Practical experience of applying relevant skills and techniques.
• Ability to access and organise resources successfully.

Responsibilities

• Extract relevant data from economic evaluations and literature.
• Analyse research data as directed.
• Estimate costs and conduct an economic evaluation.
• Support HEU teaching programme related to Masters in Health Economics.

Skills

Data analysis

Effective communication

Economic evaluation

Education

Masters degree in Health Economics or equivalent

Job description

Job Description

Position Details

Department of Applied Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £32,546 to £35,116 with potential progression once in post to £39,355

Grade: 6

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to January 2026

Closing date: 24th August 2025

Background

NHS England and NHS Improvement Rapid Diagnostic Centres (RDCs) are in place nationally, with one per cancer alliance. The aim of the service model is to support earlier and faster cancer diagnosis, create increased capacity through more efficient diagnostic pathways, deliver a better, personalised diagnostic experience for patients, reduce unwarranted variation in referral for, access to relevant diagnostic tests, and improve the offer to staff with new roles. Evolved from the Multidisciplinary Diagnostic Centre (MDC) pathway- developed, the RDCs can be an effective way to support patients with non-specific symptoms who present late, and to support GPs who are often unsure of the appropriate referral pathway for non-specific symptomatic patients.

The appointed health economics research associate will create and contribute to the creation of knowledge, vital in building an evidence base that informs policy and practice. The research will focus on the West Midlands Cancer Alliance (WMCA), which has six RDCs for patients with non-specific symptoms in the region. The health economics research associate will work with the wider research team to evaluate the costs and cost-effectiveness of the RDC service.

Role Summary

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic researcher who will assess the costs and cost-effectiveness of the RDC centres in the West Midlands. The post-holder will be based in the Health Economics Unit in the Institute of Applied Health Research.

Main Duties

• Extract relevant data from published economic evaluations and other economic literature. Such data is likely to include costs, outcomes, assumptions and other parameters
• Analyse research data as directed.
• To attend relevant project meetings with colleagues
• To estimate costs and conduct an economic evaluation
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of the research
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters.
• To a limited degree, to support the HEU teaching programme, particularly in relation to the Masters programme in Health Economics and Health Policy/Econometrics
• To support any other appropriate activities that will help to achieve the objectives of the Health Economics Unit

Person Specification

• A Masters degree in Health Economics or equivalent
• Practical experience of applying the relevant skills and techniques
• Ability to analyse information and communicate effectively
• Ability to access and organise resources successfully

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Raymond Oppong, email: [e-mail]

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