Apologies for inadvertently sending the advert
formatted. Follows a plain text version:
The following post was advertised in the Guardian
on tuesday. I am copying this announcement to
allstat, public-health, health-services-research
and evidence-based-health lists. If anyone knows
of another eminently suitable list it should go
to please let me know.
Department of Public Health and Epidemiology
The University of Birmingham
Research Associate / Fellow (Research Methodology)
Job Description
1. Introduction
The DPHE wishes to recruit suitable individual(s)
to work with Professor Richard Lilford, NHS
Director of Methodology and Clinical Trial
Advisor.
One function is to provide support in his role of
identifying research methodology issues with
policy implications, and developing policy
discussion documents for consideration by
appropriate NHS R&D policy making bodies. In the
past, this has on occasions entailed publication
of related academic papers, and the work has been
both varied and stimulating. Examples of
'trials' issues tackled over the past two years
are: NHS good practice guidelines for clinical
trials; After planned recruitment, before
results; Effects of RCTs on patients; Flexible
Commissioning; Ethics and Cluster RCTs; How to
assess fast-changing technologies; Barriers to
good RCTs; Archiving of research data; Trials and
database studies. With the recent appointment of
Professor Lilford as NHS Director of Methodology,
the 'issues' will not be limited to trials, but
will encompass research methodology more
generally. While particular issues tackled in the
future will in part be determined by external
factors, there is always likely to be an excess
of available issues - so the interests and
expertise of recruit(s) will be an important
consideration in determining the work program.
A second function is simply to work with
Professor Lilford (and others) on specific
methodological research or policy projects. One
early task will be to draft a summary of the
types and particular characteristics and problems
of methodological research.
2. Job Summary
Jointly with David Braunholtz (senior research
fellow), and as directed by the DM/CTA:
* Identify important methodological issues
relevant to research methodology 'policy'
(loosely defined). One important source of these
is monographs arising from the NHS Health
Technology Assessment Methodology Programme.
Others are brought to the attention of the DM/CTA
and may need urgent attention. The general
research methodology literature is another source.
* Research and develop policy discussion papers
on issues prioritised by the NHS Methodology
Group and DM/CTA. This may involve a limited
amount of literature searching and reading,
correspondence and discussion with experts,
conducting workshops, writing discussion and
academic papers.
* Participate in general departmental activities
(including some teaching in small groups)
* Undertake research and other academic duties as
required by and agreed with Professor Lilford, to
include drafting a paper setting out the types
and particular characteristics and problems of
methodological research.
3. Main Duties
3.1 Acquiring broad knowledge of the ways in
which clinical trials (and other research
studies) are planned, conducted, and reported 'in
the real world'.
3.2 Conduct systematic, routine searches for
research raising or bearing on methodology policy
'issues'.
3.3 Conduct literature searches, and acquire
relevant literature.
3.4 Organise meetings and (occasionally)
workshops.
3.5 Discuss policy issues in correspondence,
conversation, at meetings.
3.6 Draft discussion and academic papers.
3.7 Maintain a computer and paper database of
references.
3.8 Contribute to departmental activities - in
particular some small group teaching of
undergraduate medical students.
4. Personal Attributes
Required:
High level of initiative, intellect, and
flexibility.
Interest in research methods (in particular in
clinical trials) in health.
Ability to write clearly and concisely.
Ability to understand mathematical / statistical
ideas.
A good first-degree
Desirable:
Experience in health services research
Experience of systematic literature searching
Proven ability to draft papers/reports
Higher degree
Note:
We are deliberately not specifying any particular
academic background for these posts, as an
ability to learn fast, pick up ideas quickly,
think and argue logically, and write well are all
much more important than any 'background'
knowledge.
5. Pay and Conditions:
We welcome applicants who wish to work full time,
but we can be very flexible, and the post may
also suitable for job-share or other part-time
basis, or for secondment. Salary according to
age, qualifications, and experience, starting in
the range £16286 - £18915 pro rata. The post is
available full time until 31 May 2002 (or for a
shorter period). The DPHE is expanding, and in
the past has been successful at winning new
research and other contracts and so re-employing
members on fixed term contracts.
At present, staff on short fixed term contracts
at Birmingham are required to sign away their
rights to redundancy payments, but are permitted
to keep their rights in respect of unfair
dismissal.
Appointee(s) will be located physically, as well
as academically, in the Research Methodology
Unit, led by Professor Richard Lilford, and will
be accountable to David Braunholtz (Senior
Research Fellow, Medical Statistician). A
recently purchased PC will be provided, with
access to the Internet, and extensive electronic
journal and bibliographic databases, hopefully in
an informal, friendly office shared by all
members of the Unit as at present. A closely
related methodology project in the Unit is
looking at subgroup analyses in trials (Josie
Sandercock and Sandy MacRae (p/t)). Some funds
are available for attending relevant seminars and
conferences. If appropriate, appointee(s) will be
encouraged to register for a higher degree.
Informal enquiries to David Braunholtz (see
below).
Application forms and further particulars are
available from:
Director of Staffing Services, The University of
Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT
Tel: Fiona on (0121) 414 7044, or E-mail:
[log in to unmask]
Web: http://www.bham.ac.uk/personnel/
Please quote reference M18293/00
Closing date for receipt of applications:
21/3/2000
David Braunholtz
Department of Public Health & Epidemiology
Public Health Building
University of Birmingham
Birmingham B15 2TT
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
Tel: 0121-414-7495
FAX: 0121-414-7878
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