Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made 
to Martin Williams (e-mail 
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]  or 
telephone: 0116 252 5419).  Please do not respond to this address.
  Apologies for the length of advert!



Research Assistant in Medical Statistics

School of Medicine

Department of Health Sciences (Trent RDSU)

Salary Grade 6 - £24,284 to £28,152 p.a.
(Salary subject to outcome of October 2008 pay review)

Available from 1 November 2008 until 31 March 2010

Ref: R3920

A vacancy is available for a Research Assistant 
in Medical Statistics within Trent 
RDSU.  Applicants should have a postgraduate 
qualification in applied, medical or social 
statistics.  Good presentational, consultancy and 
interpersonal skills are essential.  Experience 
of the design and analysis of health services 
research and/or of teaching quantitative research methods is desirable.



The University

The University of Leicester is one of the UK's 
leading research and teaching universities.  The 
University was founded as a University College in 
1921 and granted a Royal Charter in 1957.  It has 
an estate of approximately 232 acres that 
includes a fifteen-acre Botanic Garden, an 
arboretum and a range of residences in the 
suburbs that are set in attractive gardens.

The University has 19,375 students including 
8,329 at postgraduate level.  There are 34 
academic departments located in five 
faculties:  Arts, Law, Medicine and Biological 
Sciences, Science and Social Sciences.  There is 
a University-wide Graduate School and an 
Institute of Lifelong Learning.  The University 
employs approximately 3,500 staff.
Leicester is a member of the 1994 Group of 
internationally renowned universities engaged in 
leading-edge research and high quality 
teaching.  Over 90% of academic staff are 
research active.  13 departments gained the 5 or 
5* ratings that indicate internationally 
significant work in the 2001 Research Assessment 
Exercise.  According to Thomson Scientific, 
Leicester has the tenth highest number of highly 
cited researchers amongst the UK’s universities. 
The discovery of DNA Genetic Fingerprinting is 
our most famous research achievement, but our 
world class research stretches across the arts, 
science, medicine, law, education, biological sciences and social sciences.

The University of Leicester is, according to the 
Times newspaper, "an award winning institution 
attracting top academics".  For three consecutive 
years, the University of Leicester has recorded 
the highest average score for overall 
satisfaction amongst mainstream universities in 
England in the National Student Survey.  Three 
quarters of our subjects are in their subject top 
10.  Teaching in 18 subject areas have been 
graded as "Excellent" by the Quality Assurance 
Agency – including 14 successive top 
scores.  Leicester is home to two prestigious 
national Centres for Excellence in Teaching and 
Learning (in Genetics and Geographical 
Information Science) and plays an important role in a third (Physics).

The University is ranked 12th in the UK by the 
Independent’s Good University Guide. The Guide 
describes Leicester as a “first class 
university”. It is ranked 14th by the Guardian 
University Guide and 19th by the Sunday Times 
University Guide which shortlisted Leicester for 
its award of University of the Year 2007. 
Leicester features in the world's top 200 
universities (151st in the Shanghai Jiao Tong 
Table and 185th in the Times Higher World University rankings 2007).

The University is committed to producing research 
and teaching of the highest quality, to promoting 
undergraduate and postgraduate studies through 
campus-based and distance-learning programmes and 
to developing close collaboration with the local and regional community.
The School of Medicine

Dean designate: Professor David Wynford-Thomas, 
MB BCh, PhD, DSc, FRCPath, FMedSci  (from autumn 2008)

As part of the School of Medicine’s commitment to 
the maintaining and improving on its existing 
high standards of research and teaching, it 
carried out an extensive and successful 
restructuring process in 2003.  The five 
substantial academic departments are defined 
primarily by their research interests and span 
the traditional clinical subject areas. They are 
Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine (Head: 
Professor W P Steward); Cardiovascular Sciences 
(Head: Professor N J Samani); Health Sciences 
(Head: Professor R H Baker); Infection, Immunity 
and Inflammation (Head: Professor P W Andrew); 
and Medical and Social Care Education (Head: Professor S Petersen).

These Departments bring considerable intellectual 
resources to bear on a range of vital medical 
challenges and reflect the priorities of the 
National Health Service.  They provide a 
stimulating environment for research and study at 
all levels, and offer a wide range of 
opportunities for professional training and development.

In addition to the departments there are clinical 
divisions, which bring together clinical 
academics from cognate clinical specialties, and 
whose role is to co-ordinate links with NHS 
colleagues, the Royal Colleges and postgraduate medical education.


The Department of Health Sciences

Head: Professor R Baker

The Department of Health Sciences at the 
University of Leicester is a research-led 
department with established strengths in 
epidemiology, medical statistics, social science, 
public health, primary care, health services 
research and psychiatry.  Structured to support 
innovative multidisciplinary and multi-method 
solutions to research questions, its mission is 
to conduct high quality scientific research that 
can inform policies and practices aimed at 
securing people’s health and well being.

The principal task of the Department is to 
undertake research of international quality. The 
Department has been structured to achieve 
strength in depth in a limited number of research 
fields.  Research is broadly grouped into five 
areas: Biostatistics and Social Science, 
Epidemiology, Primary Care, Mental Health and 
Hospital based subjects.  The research groups 
are: Adult Psychiatry, Ageing and Older People, 
Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Cardiovascular/ 
Diabetes, Child Health, Child Psychiatry, 
Forensic Psychiatry, Genetic Epidemiology, Health 
& Disability, Infant Morbidity & Mortality, 
Medical Statistics, Orthopaedic Surgery, 
Psychiatry for the Elderly, Quality and Service 
Delivery, Social Science, Trent RDSU.

In order to ensure that research is conducted at 
the highest international standards there are 
substantial continuing collaborations with major 
international research universities and centres 
in the United Kingdom including the Office for 
National Statistics, London; Harvard Medical 
School; Medical University of South Carolina; the 
Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, Bristol, 
Warwick and London (UCL, Institute of Psychiatry, 
SGMS, Imperial), the World Health Organisation, 
and collaborations elsewhere throughout Europe and the USA.

External research income 2001 – 2008 was over 
£25million, and the funding bodies include the 
Research Councils, NIHR (programme grant and 
Research for Patient Benefit funding, SDO, HTA, 
Policy programmes). the Department of Health, the 
EU, Wellcome Trust, BHF, Diabetes UK and others. 
Major funding was recently awarded for an NIHR 
Collaboration in Applied Health Research and Care 
(CLAHRC). Professor Baker is an NIHR Senior Investigator.

The Department has over 140 academic, research, 
administrative, technical and clerical 
staff.  There are 14 professors, including 
professors of genetic epidemiology, epidemiology 
(2), medical statistics (two), and quality in 
health care, plus professors of psychiatry, 
psychiatry for the elderly, child and adolescent 
psychiatry, criminological psychology, neonatal 
medicine and orthopaedic trauma surgery; 4 
Readers in general practice, medical statistics, 
perinatal and paediatric epidemiology, social 
science and health, 13 Senior Lecturers in 
orthopaedics, psychiatry, pain management, 
epidemiology, primary care and community child 
health; 3 senior research fellows; 7 Lecturers; 
52 research staff, a departmental manager, 10 
computing and administrative staff and 30 support staff.

The Department has important links with other 
academic and NHS organisations delivering both 
clinical services and HSR, particularly under the 
auspices of the Trent Research & Development 
Support Unit (RDSU), the Comprehensive Local 
Research Network, Diabetes Research Network,  and 
the East Midlands and South Yorkshire Primary 
Care Network (EMSYNET).  In addition, the 
Department enjoys close relationships with R&D 
departments in NHS Trusts in Leicestershire and 
Northamptonshire. A number of the department’s 
clinical academics have clinical roles with the 
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, the 
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust or Leicester City PCT.

Departmental Staff are housed in several 
locations. The Department Office is located at 
22/28 Princess Road West, Leicester LE1 6TP, 
along with many members of the research staff. 
Clinical staff are also located at Leicester 
General Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Also see our Web page on <http://www.hs.le.ac.uk/>http://www.hs.le.ac.uk.


Trent Research and Development Support Unit

Trent Research and Development Support Unit 
(RDSU) is a collaboration between departments in 
Leicester, De Montfort, Nottingham and Sheffield 
universities. The RDSU provides high-level 
academic support aimed at increasing the quantity 
and quality of health services research, 
including health-related social care research. 
The RDSU is part of the National Institute for 
Health Research and is one of a national network 
of RDSUs in England funded by the Department of Health.
The aims of Trent RDSU are:
§         To provide researchers in health and 
health-related social care with a comprehensive 
‘one-stop shop’ for conducting and supporting high quality research;
§         To work with organisations to increase 
their research and development capacity;
§         To initiate and participate in health services research;
§         To provide education and training for 
health professionals and career researchers in 
our region and maximise uptake of regional and national training schemes;
§         To work with the Department of Health 
in developing the research and development strategy.
Trent RDSU employs high calibre staff with a wide 
skill-mix including health services researchers, 
health economists, statisticians, qualitative 
researchers, epidemiologists, health 
professionals, public health and information 
specialists. RDSU staff have considerable 
expertise in building research capacity and 
forging productive links between practitioners, 
health care organisations and academic 
researchers. A number of staff members are 
recognised nationally and internationally for 
their expertise in methodological areas, ensuring 
that the most up-to-date techniques are used to 
support health services research.
See 
<http://www.trentrdsu.org.uk/>http://www.trentrdsu.org.uk for more information.


Job Outline

·         Title: Research Assistant
·         Grade: 6
·         Department: Health Sciences (Trent RDSU)

Job Purpose

The post holder will work with the Directors and 
others in Trent RDSU to provide advice and 
methodological support to health researchers, 
support protocol development and submissions for 
new research funding, analyse project data and 
contribute to academic publications and other 
outputs.  The post holder will also provide 
statistical consultancy to other NHS research 
groups and support the design and delivery of 
educational course in research methodology within the RDSU.

Principal Accountabilities:

·        Support study design and protocol 
development for research funding (e.g. NIHR RfPB, 
SDO, HTA) for NHS-based studies;

·        Contribute to the research activity and 
outputs of Trent RDSU through research 
collaborations and the production of high quality peer-reviewed publications;

·        Provide methodological advice and 
support to NHS and academic colleagues through 
research clinics and one-to-one consultancy;

·        Engage in relevant professional 
activities and in continuous professional development;

·        Work with the Director and others within 
the RDSU to design and deliver lectures, seminars 
and workshops on various quantitative research 
methodologies to a mixed audience;

·        Engage in continuous review, quality 
assessment and subsequent development of the 
curricula of these courses, with the aim of ensuring high quality provision;

·        Support and comply with the University 
and departmental teaching quality assurance 
standards and procedures, including provision of 
such information as may be required by the department or by the University.


Additional information

Trent Research and Development Support Unit 
(RDSU) is a collaboration between departments in 
Leicester, De Montfort, Nottingham and Sheffield 
universities. The RDSU provides high-level 
academic support aimed at increasing the quantity 
and quality of health services research, 
including health-related social care research. 
The RDSU is part of the National Institute for 
Health Research and is one of a national network 
of RDSUs in England funded by the Department of Health.

The post holder will be based at the Princess 
Road West site of University of Leicester.


Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Required:



Essential


·        Postgraduate degree in applied, medical of social statistics*
·        Good knowledge of STATA, SAS or alternative statistical software*



Desirable


·        Higher degree in medical statistics*
·        Experience of the design and analysis of health sciences research*
·        Track record of peer-reviewed publications*
·        Track record of collaboration in health or health-related research*
·        Relevant doctoral degree*
·        Teaching experience in Higher Education
·        Experience of providing statistical consultancy to non-statisticians

Skills, Abilities and Competencies



Essential


·        Ability to provide appropriate advice on 
quantitative methodologies to NHS and academic researchers
·        Ability to teach quantitative methods to 
adult-learners in lectures, seminars, and workshops
·        Ability to develop and collaborate in research grant proposals
·        Be able to demonstrate:
o       The ability and willingness for 
occasional travel within the East Midlands
o       Excellent verbal and written communication skills
o       The ability to work independently as well as part of a team

(* Criteria to be used in shortlisting candidates for interview)


EXTRACTS FROM TERMS AND CONDITIONS



The appointment is subject to University Charter, 
Statutes, Ordinances, and Regulations, and to the 
standard Terms and Conditions of Appointment for 
Academic-Related Staff.  A copy of the full Terms 
and Conditions may be obtained by contacting Personnel Services.


Salary Spine:
·        Grade 6:  £24,284 - £25,013 - £25,763 - 
£26,536 - £27,332 - £28,152 per annum
(Subject to outcome of October 2008 pay review)

The initial salary will depend upon 
qualifications and experience.  Salary is payable 
monthly on the last working day of each month.

·        Probation Appointments of 
academic-related staff are normally subject to a 
three-year probationary period.  Appointments for 
a fixed-term of three years or less are normally 
probationary for their duration.  Appointments on 
probation are reviewed annually.

·        Hours Appointments, unless otherwise 
stated, are full-time but no fixed number of 
hours of work is prescribed for members of the academic-related staff.

·        Pensions Academic-related staff eligible 
for membership may, immediately on starting their 
employment, join USS - the occupational pension 
scheme provided by this University.  Unless, 
prior to becoming an employee, he/she declares in 
writing a wish not to be a member of USS he/she 
will automatically be deemed to be a member from 
the start of the employment and contributions 
will be deducted accordingly.  Contributions at 
the rate of 6.35% of salary will be deducted from 
the date of entry to the Scheme, at which time 
full details of benefits, etc., will be forwarded 
by the University Superannuation Office, from 
whom further information can be obtained at any 
time.  The University contributes an amount equal 
to approximately 14% of salary.

As a member of the USS, you will automatically 
participate in SMART Pensions, which is a scheme 
designed to produce financial benefits for both 
the University and employees.  Further 
information about SMART Pensions will be provided to the successful candidate.

·        Holidays The total holiday entitlement, 
for full-time and part-time staff working 
continuously throughout the year, is 38 days in 
each year (January to December) and consists of 6 
weeks (normally 24 days annual leave, plus a 
further 6 days in each year allocated by the 
University) plus 8 public holidays.  Staff 
working part-time continuously throughout the 
year receive a pro rata annual leave 
entitlement.  A member of staff is expected to 
consult his/her Supervisor over his/her leave 
arrangements to ensure the smooth running of the 
Department.  On termination of employment, paid 
holiday entitlement shall be deemed to have 
accrued in proportion to completed months of 
service in the leave year.  Annual leave will 
normally be taken during vacation periods but may 
be taken at other times subject to the exigencies of the service.

·        Equal Opportunities The University is 
committed to an equal opportunities policy in 
employment practice (a copy of the Equal 
Opportunities Policy is available by contacting the Equal Opportunities Team).

·        Notice The appointment may be terminated 
by three months’ notice in writing by either side.

·        Relocation The successful candidate will 
be required to reside in or near Leicester unless 
otherwise especially permitted.  The University 
has a scheme whereby it is prepared to give some 
assistance towards removal expenses in certain cases.




Informal Enquiries


Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made 
to Martin Williams (e-mail 
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]  or telephone: 0116 252 5419)

Applications

Applications should be made on the form provided, 
forwarded to reach Personnel Services no later than 2 October 2008.

Candidates who wish acknowledgement of their 
application should affix a first or second class 
stamp to a self-addressed postcard or envelope, 
stating on the reverse the reference number and 
title of the post, and return it with their 
application form.  Candidates short-listed for 
interview will be contacted by Personnel.  If you 
do not receive a communication from the 
University within 4 weeks from the closing date, 
then please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.


Applications should be sent to:
Personnel Services (Recruitment 2)
University of Leicester
University Road
Leicester LE1 7RH

Tel: 0116 252 5114
Fax: 0116 252 5140
E-mail: <mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]



#####################################
James Miller
Department of Statistics
University of Glasgow
15 University Gardens
G12 8QQ
0141 3302474
[log in to unmask]

The University of Glasgow, charity number SC004401