Research Associate in Public Health and Labour Economic Modelling

University of Sheffield; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is looking for a Research Associate in Public Health and Labour Economic Modelling. This full-time position involves conducting applied and methodological research on health and work policies. The ideal candidate holds a PhD in a relevant field and has experience in decision-analytic modelling, alongside strong statistical analysis and project management skills. The role offers a competitive salary ranging from £38,784 to £47,389 per annum, with a potential increase to £51,753 based on performance. Applications open with support available for candidates needing adjustments during the recruitment process.

Benefits

Competitive annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in a numerate subject such as Economics or Statistics.
• PhD or equivalent research experience in a quantitative discipline.
• Experience in decision-analytic modelling for public health interventions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research focused on Public Health and Labour Economic Modelling.
• Develop and run cost-benefit analyses and microsimulation models.
• Disseminate research findings through publications and presentations.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Project management

Literature review

Modelling software tools (R, Python, VBA)

Effective communication

Education

Postgraduate qualification in a numerate subject

PhD in health or labour economics

Tools

R

Python

VBA

Job description

Overview

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work with a world‑class university. We offer a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pension scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts and more. The Health Economics and Decision Science (HEDS) section in the School of Medicine & Population Health is seeking a Research Associate in Public Health and Labour Economic Modelling, who will work on applied and methodological research projects focussed on policies affecting both health and work outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Undertake research as part of multidisciplinary teams focusing on Public Health and Labour Economic Modelling, working on the development and running of cost‑benefit analysis and microsimulation modelling to assess health and workplace interventions.
• Undertake methodological research in health economics and decision sciences.
• Contribute to the design, development and writing of proposals for research and knowledge exchange projects.
• Undertake statistical analysis of datasets.
• Disseminate research findings through publication in leading peer‑reviewed health and medical journals and presenting papers at conferences.
• Contribute to literature review, data analysis and elicitation processes to obtain model parameters.
• Prepare research documents including reports, project updates and briefing papers.
• Communicate effectively with research partners and collaborators both within and outside the university, including international collaborators.
• Involvement in professional activities such as organising local research events.
• Contribute to the Section's teaching by delivering lectures and tutorials, external short courses and developing online teaching materials.
• Make an active contribution to the principles of the 'Sheffield Academic', aiming for excellence in applied teaching and research.
• Apply ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

• Essential requirements – Postgraduate qualification (Masters level or equivalent experience) in a numerate subject such as Economics, Health Economics, Labour Economics, Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics, Data Science, etc.
• Essential requirements – PhD (or equivalent research work experience) in a quantitative discipline related to the research programme, e.g. health economics, labour economics, simulation or systems modelling, data science on health or work.
• Essential requirements – Experience in using data and evidence to populate and parameterise a model, e.g. literature reviews, data analysis and elicitation.
• Essential requirements – Experience in designing, developing and writing research and knowledge exchange proposals.
• Essential requirements – Experience of undertaking decision‑analytic modelling for public health interventions.
• Essential requirements – Strong organisational skills to manage inputs into several research projects simultaneously.
• Essential requirements – Respect for confidentiality and awareness of ethical issues.
• Desirable requirements – Experience using modelling software tools (R, Python, VBA, bespoke microsimulation or other packages).
• Desirable requirements – Good knowledge of statistical methods for cross‑sectional and longitudinal datasets.
• Desirable requirements – Publications in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Desirable requirements – Experience of undergraduate, postgraduate or short course teaching.
• Desirable requirements – Ability to communicate effectively in oral, written and presentation modes in academic and health policy environments.

Further Information

Grade: 7
Salary: £38,784 – £47,389 per annum, with potential to progress to £51,753
Work arrangement: Full‑time
Duration: 2 years
Start date: 1 April 2026
Line manager: Senior Research Fellow in Health Economics
Direct reports: None

Next Steps in the Recruitment Process

The selection process will take place during the week commencing 12 January 2026. It will consist of a presentation by the candidate on a topic relevant to the post, interview questions and an aptitude test. Candidates will be informed of a shortlist during the week commencing 5 January 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate, contact [e-mail].

Contact

For informal enquiries about this job, please contact Professor Alan Brennan ([e-mail]) or Dr Damon Morris ([e-mail]). Both are co‑applicants on the research grant funding this post.