Research Fellow - Institute of Applied Health Research - 100670 - Grade 7

Position Details

Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £32,348 to £42,155, with potential progression once in post to £44,737

Grade 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to 28th February 2024

Closing date: 6th November 2022

(Please note this post is also available at Grade 6 Research Associate - Ref 100672. Only one position available either Grade 6 or Grade 7 depending on experience).

Background

The post-holder will conduct health economic and econometric analyses as part of two studies - the TLC study and the OPTIMAL study. The TLC study (Therapies for Long Covid in Non-hospitalised Individuals) aims to improve the treatment, causes and symptoms of Long COVID in non-hospitalised patients. The OPTIMAL study (OPTIMising therapies, discovering therapeutic targets and AI assisted clinical management for patients Living with complex multimorbidity) will use AI to produce computer programmes and tools to help doctors improve the choice of drugs for patients with clusters of multiple long-term conditions. The post-holder will be based in the Health Economics Unit in the Institute of Applied Health Research, supervised by Dr Louise Jackson and working with multi-disciplinary research teams led by Dr Thomas Jackson, Prof Krish Nirantharakumar and Dr Shamil Haroon at the University of Birmingham.

The post-holder will test the feasibility of collecting costs and outcome data as part of a pilot study for the TLC study, undertake analyses of healthcare utilisation due to Long Covid using UK healthcare data (e.g. CPRD databases) and design and analyse a discrete choice experiment (DCE) for the OPTIMAL study.

The post-holder will join an established health economics unit with experience in applied economic evaluation and advancing methods. They will join an environment where they will be well-supported with training and development opportunities.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career researcher to be involved in delivering key components of two research studies. It offers the post-holder the chance to apply (and further develop) skills in economic evaluation, econometric analysis, and discrete choice experiment (DCE) design and analysis.

Role Summary

• Undertaking assessment of the feasibility of collecting cost and outcome data for the feasibility trial of the TLC study, including data analysis, and presentation;
• Undertaking analyses of healthcare utilisation due to Long Covid using UK healthcare data (e.g. CPRD databases);
• Designing, conducting and analysing a discrete choice analysis (DCE) for the OPTIMAL study around preferences for the use of AI in clinical settings;
• Contributing to teaching, administration, and research in the wider Health Economics Unit and Institute of Applied Health Research;
• Contributing to writing bids (potentially).

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews *
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters *
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research *
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines*
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

* These indicative responsibilities may also be included in a research role at grade 6.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area (or close to completion) or equivalent qualifications
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Louise Jackson, email: l.jackson.1@bham.ac.uk

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working .