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University of Durham School of Medicine & Health Job Description Job Title: Clinical Trialist (Statistician/Quantitative Researcher) Research Fellow Salary Scale: Grade 7/8 Contract Type: Full or part time, 2 years Responsible to: Professor James Mason Roles: Methodological support and development of the research portfolio within the Durham Clinical Trial Unit (DCTU); methodological advice within the Research Design Service for the North East (RDS-NE). Own portfolio research. Job Summary and Purpose: The Wolfson Research Institute, on the Durham University Queen’s campus at Stockton-on-Tees hosts the newly formed DCTU and the southern office of RDS-NE, both under the direction of Professor Mason. Together, these services provide a one-stop shop for methodological advice and support to help develop and deliver clinical research in the region. We are looking for a statistical or highly quantitative researcher with an emerging (Grade 7) or substantial (Grade 8) track record to provide methodological and analytic support to clinical trials and other common epidemiological study designs. You will work closely within the team, with other academic staff and with healthcare professionals to develop and support the regional research portfolio. The post provides excellent opportunities for research collaboration and publication as well as ongoing personal development. Research: You will work within the School of Medicine and Health located within the Wolfson Research Institute, Durham University's interdisciplinary institute for research on health and well-being. Within the post, there will be opportunities to develop your own research, as well as contributing to the School and Institute portfolios. Responsibilities will include being involved actively and collaboratively in seeking grant funding consistent with School and Institute aims, conducting and managing research, as well as supervising and examining postgraduate students. Teaching: In addition to service delivery and research commitments, you may undertake teaching activities as agreed with Professor Mason and the Head of School. Relationships and contacts: You will be a full member of the School and a Fellow of the Wolfson Research Institute. Responsibilities will include attending School meetings and undertaking administrative duties, as arranged with the Head of School. The School maintains an extensive network of regional, national and international contacts, which will be further extended by the work of the DCTU. Maintaining good relations and developing new contacts is a central element of this post. It is essential that you are comfortable and effective in communicating with people at all levels within the NHS, academia and government, as well as having a high level of international and cultural awareness. Responsibilities: Service Delivery: Work flexibly and effectively within the DCTU, RDS-NE and partner organisations. Contribute to the operations and logistics of DCTU and RDS-NE activities. Ensure that DCTU and your own research activities are achieved to deadlines and within timeframes, analysing performance against projected milestones and contributing appropriately to activity reports. Contribute to the production of communications materials associated with DCTU and RDS-NE, including flyers, newsletters, web content, promotional brochures and reports. Planning & Research: Lead and contribute to the development of research proposals for new and collaborative projects, consistent with School and Institute aims and policies. Manage research staff, including supervision, recruitment, induction and other staffing issues. Plan, co-ordinate and implement research studies. Write and present reports, research papers and publications at regional, national and international conferences, consistent with School and Institute aims and policies. Take on departmental roles as directed. Participate in School management through periodic staff appraisal, meetings, committees and events. Participate in interviewing processes connected with School vacancies. Teaching (if required by the Head of School): Contribute to teaching programmes and assessment of students. Provide formal and informal supervision and guidance to PhD, MD and MSc students. Contribute to the development and delivery of new post graduate programmes in health in conjunction with the Postgraduate Programme Co-ordinator. Communication: Communicate effectively, constructively and appropriately with colleagues and service users. Explain research methods and findings to sponsors and non-specialist clinical and academic personnel. Teamwork & Management Responsibilities: Supervise and organise the day to day work of research staff, setting objectives and allocating tasks to individual researchers as appropriate. Coordinate in conjunction with the School Administrator, the work of admin and associated support staff engaged in RDS work and own research. Provide induction, coaching and mentoring support to new research personnel engaged by the RDS and School. In his absence, deputise for the co-director in respect of the RDS work. Networking: Maintain and develop good relations with the NHS, the School and Institute. Build relationships and collaborations within the School and Institute, throughout the University and with NHS partners to facilitate future research collaboration. Generic: Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade that may be required from time to time Person Specification: Essential for appointment at both grades: 1. A first degree and PhD in a relevant field. 2. Competence in the best practice design, conduct and analysis of clinical trials and other epidemiological designs 3. Clear evidence of research and publications of excellent international standing 4. Ability to work flexibly on clinical and health research within interdisciplinary teams 5. Familiarity with the process and requirements of conducting research in the NHS 6. Excellent verbal, written communication, presentation and facilitation skills 7. Ability to work to deadlines 8. Strong negotiation and problem solving skills 9. Willingness to travel nationally and (on occasion) internationally. Essential for appointment at Grade 8 / Desirable for appointment at Grade 7: 10. A record of grant funding from research councils, charities and public agencies 11. Evidence of excellent teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. 12. A national and international reputation in applied statistics or quantitative research. 13. The ability to provide leadership and support to colleagues as well as working on individual initiative. 14. Strong planning and team management skills 15. Capacity to innovate and develop initiatives 16. Previous experience of the supervision of successful doctoral theses. Further information Information about the School can be found at: www.dur.ac.uk/school.health/ Information about the Institute can be found at: www.dur.ac.uk/wolfson.institute/ If you wish to discuss this post please contact Professor James Mason by telephone 0191 3340826; or, email: [log in to unmask] You may leave the list at any time by sending the command SIGNOFF allstat to [log in to unmask], leaving the subject line blank.