Are you an enthusiastic researcher looking for a career in behaviour change trials? Are you interested in doing a PhD in trial management or a related field? Do you have an academic background in trial management, behavioural science, health sciences, statistics, or a related field? 

We are seeking an individual to support an NIHR Advanced Fellowship (PI: Dr Sam Smith) which aims to develop, pilot and optimise four behavioural interventions to improve medication adherence in women with breast cancer. You will be supported to lead the pilot phases of the work. This post will focus on trial management, with the potential to undertake novel research into improving trial conduct. Your role will involve developing skills in trial management, patient and public involvement, trial design, statistical analysis, qualitative research, and survey research.A second post will be advertised separately, and will focus on intervention development.

Funds are available to complete a PhD alongside this post. The package includes fully funded tuition fees, support for training activities and the potential to attend national and international conferences. Your research will be strongly supported by funding from the NIHR.  

The project is guided by the Multiphase Optimisation Strategy (MOST), an engineering-inspired framework for the optimisation of behavioural interventions. You will be involved in a pilot optimisation trial using a novel experimental design (a fractional factorial trial). Training and guidance will be given to those unfamiliar with the MOST framework and factorial trial designs.

The post will be supported to lead on all activities related to site set-up, trial coordination and delivery. The PhD project affiliated with the trial may involve additional trial conduct research (e.g. Studies Within A Trial, SWATs) that will be planned within post, depending on the interests of the applicant and with guidance from Leeds Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU).

To explore the post further or for any enquiries you may have, please contact:

Dr Sam Smith, Associate Professor

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 0892, Email: s.smith1@leeds.ac.uk

Further Information

The University of Leeds is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offers a range of family friendly policies. The University is a charter member of Athena SWAN and holds the Bronze award. The School of Medicine holds the Gold award.  We are committed to being an inclusive medical school that values all staff, and we are happy to consider job share applications and requests for flexible working arrangements from our employees.

Location:  Leeds - Main Campus
Faculty/Service:  Faculty of Medicine & Health
School/Institute:  Leeds Institute of Health Sciences (LIHS)
Section:  Academic Unit of Primary Care
Category:  Research
Grade:  Grade 6
Salary:  £27,511 to £32,817 p.a.
Working Time:  100% FTE
Post Type:  Full Time
Contract Type:  Fixed Term (for three years)    
Closing Date:  Monday 24 August 2020
Reference:  MHIHS1256
Downloads:  Candidate Brief