THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD


OPERATIONAL RESEARCH SECTION, SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND RELATED RESEARCH
(SCHARR)

HEALTHCARE MODELLING/OPERATIONAL

RESEARCH ANALYST £18,265 - £37,629 pa

The post holder will undertake and lead research and consultancy projects
in health economic and healthcare service modelling, contributing to the
School's international reputation and methodological development. A good
numerate degree and modelling experience are essential. A MSc or PhD
qualification is desirable. A track record of project leadership, modelling
in healthcare decision-making and academic publication is advantageous.
This appointment is for a fixed term of 2 years initially from May 2004.

Closing Date: 23 March 2004 (Ref. No: R3228)

For full post details/application pack visit: www.shef.ac.uk/jobs/ or
email: [log in to unmask]: 0114 222 1631 (24hr).

Please quote Ref. No. in all enquiries

Committed to equality through diversity

Contact:  University of Sheffield, tel. 0114 222 1631,  email
[log in to unmask]

JOB DESCRIPTION

ScHARR is seeking a Senior Healthcare Modelling / Operational Research
Analyst to lead and undertake project work, raising our international
reputation in this area, and to contribute to methodological development in
this field.

Summary of main responsibilities and activities (RA2 level)

· To lead modelling projects and project teams including those
directly involved in NICE technology appraisals.
· Design, develop and win research and consultancy project proposals
and programme grants in healthcare modelling.
· To work with collaborators in modelling methodological development
including The Centre for Health Economics and Bayesian statistics (CHEBS),
staff at other White Rose Universities and NICE.
· Publish in peer-reviewed journals and work collaboratively with the
staff of the Operational Research and Health Economics sections to achieve
publication output in top ranking journals.
· To contribute to strategic development of the project portfolio.
· Potentially to supervise PhD students focussed on applied modelling
and/or methodology development.
· Potentially to contribute to teaching on Masters courses in health
economics and health technology assessment and to develop short courses on
modelling methods.

Summary of main responsibilities and activities (RA1 level)

· Perform analytical and mathematical modelling work on projects for,
healthcare research funding bodies, the NHS and commercial healthcare
organisations.
· Lead modelling projects with supervision.
· Contribute to the design, development and winning of research and
consultancy project proposals.
· Publish project work in peer-reviewed journals.
· Support senior researchers in undertaking projects.

The post is based in the OR section of ScHARR, which undertakes a large
portfolio of modelling work in healthcare decision making.  The post holder
will be responsible to the Director of the Operational Research Section in
ScHARR.


PERSON SPECIFICATION

Specific skills required

· A good degree in a numerate subject e.g. mathematics, economics,
statistics, operational research, management science etc.
· Ideally, a good track-record of undertaking modelling (2 years +
experience) in an academic setting, consultancy, NHS or commercial
environment.
· Ability to use the full range of standard PC software including
Microsoft Excel, Word, Access and statistical packages such as SPSS.
· Experience of specific modelling packages such as simulation,
decision analysis, Markov modelling etc. an advantage.
· Ability to communicate effectively in oral, written and
presentation mode with academic, NHS and pharmaceutical company staff, at
all levels including Chief Executives.
· Ability to travel to customer locations when required.
· Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

Desirable characteristics

· An MSc in OR, health economics, economics, statistics, applied
mathematics or related disciplines.
· A PhD qualification in cost-effectiveness modelling or wider
operational research / health economics.
· Ideally, a good track-record of producing high quality peer-
reviewed journal articles on modelling / healthcare modelling.
· Experience of creating and leading project teams an advantage.
· A small amount of teaching experience (e.g. OR, health economics or
modelling).
· PhD supervision experience.


FURTHER INFORMATION:  Grading and associated duties will depend upon the
skills and experience of the appointed candidate.

This appointment is for a fixed term of 2 years initially from May 2004.