 |
 |
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 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%