Usual apologies for cross-posting

The following post is currently being advertised 

Department of Epidemiology & Public Health
School of Health Sciences
The Medical School

Statistician (Research Associate)
stlg15,735-stlg19,197
18 months temporary appointment


I

A statistician is required for a temporary post based in the
Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Newcastle,
Newcastle upon Tyne.  You will work on research projects under the
supervision of a senior member of staff within two of the Department's
research groups (to be chosen from health economics, stroke
epidemiology, diabetes and coronary heart disease epidemiology).  The
choice of research group and supervisor will reflect your interests
and expertise.  You will also take part in some teaching of statistics
to non-statisticians.  There will be formal links with the Department
of Statistics.

A degree in statistics is essential: preference will be given to those
who have a postgraduate qualification in statistics, and experience of
applying statistics to medical research, particularly in public
health.

To apply please send three copies of a letter of application and your
CV, giving full details of qualifications, experience and present
salary, and the names and addresses of two referees, to Mrs Lorna
Hutchinson, Departmental Secretary, Department of Epidemiology &
Public Health, School of Health Sciences, The Medical School,
Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH.  The closing date for
applications is 26th October 1998.

Informal enquiries should be directed to: Denise Howel (Tel: 0191 222
7381, e-mail: [log in to unmask])

 JOB DESCRIPTION

1.  Introduction

 This is a new temporary post based in the Department of Epidemiology
 & Public Health, created to help consolidate our expanding research
 activities.  The post-holder will work flexibly on research projects
 under the supervision of a senior statistician, and researchers
 within two of the department's research groups (to be chosen from
 health economics, stroke epidemiology, diabetes and coronary heart
 disease epidemiology).  The choice of research group will reflect the
 researcher's interests and expertise. 


2.  Aims and duties of the post

 Under supervision, the post-holder will be expected:
. to contribute to the design of new studies within a research group 
. to analyse data from ongoing studies 
. to contribute to scientific papers and reports from these studies
. provide statistical computing practical sessions to students on MSc 
Health Sciences 
. to support MSc students in their projects


3.  Candidate profile

 Education
. A good first degree in statistics (or a closely related area) is
essential . A postgraduate degree or qualification in statistics is
very desirable

 Essential experience
. Comprehensive use of major statistical software 
. Collaborative and multi-disciplinary working

 Desirable experience
. Work as a statistician in medical research

 Required skills
. Good communication skills (verbal and written)
. Ability to plan well and work to both agreed and self-imposed
deadlines . Ability to deal with large and complex datasets .
Summarising and reporting research findings. . Computing skills,
including the use of packages to perform word processing, statistical
analysis, bibliographic reference searching and management.  (Software
currently used in the Department includes: Microsoft Office 95
ENDNOTE, STATA ,SAS, SPSS, Netscape web browser, and bibliographic
search tools such as OVID for MEDLINE.  Access to other statistical
packages such as GLIM, MLWin and S-PLUS can be obtained through the
Department of Statistics)

 Personal qualities
. Flexibility
. Self-motivation
. Willingness to learn new skills
. Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team
. Ability to work well with regular supervision.


4. Material support

 The post-holder will be provided with office space which may be
 shared.  (S)he will have access to a personal computer linked to the
 Department's and University's networks, and with appropriate
 software.  Funds will be provided for necessary expenses, including
 for travel, books, training and software.


5. Accountability and management arrangements

 The post holder will be accountable on a day-to-day basis for his/her
 academic work to Denise Howel (Senior Lecturer in Epidemiological
 Statistics).  (S)he will be ultimately accountable to the Head of
 Department of Epidemiology & Public Health - Professor Raj Bhopal. 
 The post holder will participate in the University's appraisal
 scheme.

 This post will be linked with the Dept of Statistics as either a
 joint appointment, or have associate status within this department. 
 The status will arranged according to the experience and wishes of
 the candidate.


6. The Department of Epidemiology & Public Health

 The Department is one of three in the School of Health Sciences in
 the Medical School: the others are Primary Health Care, and the
 Centre for Health Services Research.

 There are six Senior Lecturers in the Department (four medically
 qualified, three of whom are appointed jointly with other
 Departments).  Other academic staff include a Professor, medically
 qualified Lecturers/Honorary Registrars, Lecturers in Health
 Economics and in Social Epidemiology, several Research Associates,
 and several NHS-based honorary staff (a professor, senior lecturers
 and lecturers).  The ethos of the Department is that all academic
 staff should work in close liaison with the health service, other
 departments in the Medical School and other agencies that have a role
 in improving the public health.


7. Further information

 Informal enquiries about further details of this post can be made to
 Denise Howel (Tel: +44 (0)191 222 7381; or e-mail:
 [log in to unmask]),

 III

You will receive a formal written offer of employment from one of the
following:  Registrar, Deputy Registrar or the Personnel Section. 
Please note that no other person has the authority to offer employment
for this post, either orally or in writing.

The appointment will be subject to the attached standard Conditions of
Service.  Membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme is
available and a document describing pension arrangements is also
attached.  Membership of the NHS superannuation scheme is also
available.


SALARY

Research Associate (RA1A or 1B)
The appointment will be full time (1.0 WTE) at a point on the Research
Associate scales as appropriate, depending on experience and
qualifications, with a maximum starting salary of stlg19,197 per annum
(which is point 8 on the RA1A scale).  The post is available
immediately and is tenable for 18 months in the first instance.


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