Research Fellow (Quantitative) - Department of Applied Health Sciences - 106833 - Grade 8

University of Birmingham; Park Central; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in the UK is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to support a prestigious research professorship aimed at optimizing the health sector's response to violence against women and children. This position involves conducting advanced epidemiological research, supervising postgraduate students, and contributing to the development of statistical methodologies. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in a related field, extensive experience with quantitative methods, and a commitment to equality and diversity in research practices.

Qualifications

• Higher degree relevant to research area (normally PhD).
• Extensive experience in applied quantitative methods.
• Proven ability in project managing high-quality research.
• Strong background in regression modelling and causal inference.
• Experience in championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original research with measurable outcomes.
• Coordinate research activities and publish results.
• Supervise PhD students and contribute to departmental leadership.
• Develop new statistical methodologies for data integration.
• Present findings at conferences and in publications.

Skills

Quantitative skills

Epidemiological analysis

Statistical modelling

Data linkage

Risk factor estimation

Knowledge transfer

Education

PhD in epidemiology, medical statistics, public health, or data science

Tools

Statistical software

SDE (Secure Data Environments)

Job description

To create and disseminate knowledge through initiating and conducting original research and through publication, as appropriate to the disciplinary area. This post will sit within the Department of Applied Health Sciences and will support the delivery of the NIHR Research Professorship awarded to Professor Joht Singh Chandan (NIHR306365, https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR306365). The Research Professorship aims to optimise the health sector response to violence against women and children by:

• advancing multi-sector data linkage using Secure Data Environments
• estimating the health and economic burden of violence
• evaluating trauma-informed models of care
• improving maternity outcomes and reducing inequalities
• strengthening survivor engagement

This post deliver the quantitative work package, WP2 'Estimating the burden associated with violence against women and children and trauma, using advanced epidemiology, multi-sector data linkage, statistical modelling and risk factor estimation.' The post requires strong quantitative skills to support multi-level epidemiological analyses, causal inference, risk factor estimation, health inequalities modelling and complex dataset construction. The Fellow will also contribute (as a secondary aspect) to aligned programmes within Professor Chandan's portfolio, including the Hub for Health Inequalities, the NIHR Challenge: Maternity Disparities Consortium, and the NIHR Global Health Research Group (NIHR156915). The role will involve planning and co-ordinating high-quality quantitative research, including advanced epidemiological analyses, health inequalities modelling, and SDE-based data linkage. The post holder will lead the analytical and quantitative components of WP2, including exposure-outcome modelling, risk estimation, and burden estimation (e.g., incident, DALY-like approaches, population-attributable fractions). The role will also contribute to development of a UK analytical hub connected to the GBD Europe initiative through quantitative risk factor estimation and model development.

Responsibilities

• Initiate and conduct original research with measurable outcomes reflected in a growing national and often incipient international reputation.
• Plan, design and co-ordinate research activities and programmes.
• Contribute to the development of research strategies.
• Publish results of own research.
• Supervise PhD students.
• Contribute to the Department/School through management/leadership.
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities, widening participation, schools outreach or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University.
• Plan and carry out research using appropriate methodology and techniques.
• Pursue personal research including developing research ideas and seeking financial support.
• Project manage research activities and/or supervise other research staff.
• Present high quality findings in publications and conference proceedings.
• Develop novel statistical methodologies and techniques appropriate to multi-sector data integration and violence-related risk factor analysis.
• Supervise and examine PhD students, both within and outside the University.
• Provide expert advice to colleagues and students within the discipline.
• Contribute to the administration/management of research across the Department/School.
• Contribute to some administrative activities within the University, typically relating to research.
• Apply knowledge in a way that develops new intellectual understanding.
• Actively manage equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenge unacceptable behaviour.

Qualifications

• Normally a higher degree relevant to the research area (normally PhD in epidemiology, medical statistics, public health, data science, or similar) or equivalent qualifications.
• Extensive research experience and scholarship within applied quantitative methods, epidemiology, biostatistics, health data science, or related fields. Experience working with large, complex datasets (e.g., administrative data, linked datasets, health records).
• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation.
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results.
• Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods (e.g., regression modelling, causal inference, survival analysis, Bayesian approaches, risk factor estimation).
• Extensive experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity.
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied.
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.