Job description

To support in a Research Fellow or Research Associate capacity, the Better B research programme led by Professor Higginson. You will manage the day-to-day running of the programme and delivery of work packages and key milestones. You will manage work across national and international partners as well as leading engagement with patient and public involvement groups, local patient recruitment and engagement and generation of impact.

This is an excellent opportunity for a post-doctoral researcher seeking wide experience of research methods, project management, data collection and analysis, recruitment, impact generation, international liaision and exposure to preparing grant applications, delivering and managing trials and other high quality, complex projects as they hone their skills and develop their own specific research expertise and personal fellowship applications.

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract for 20 months or until 30 June 2023

This is a full-time  post - 100% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

• Act as team leader for the Better B programme, responsible for the delivery of all work packages.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders and research teams both nationally and internationally in: development and sharing of study materials; delivery of research to deadlines; and dissemination of findings and generation of research impact in breathlessness.
• Foster and ensure timely recruitment of trial participants and efficient and effective data management, including local recruitment.
• Prepare literature reviews, funder reports, ethical committee applications, trial materials and SOPs.
• Ensure confidentiality and participant safety in accordance with GDPR and GCP.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be requested by Professor Higginson or key partner leads, including assisting with other projects, line management and supervision of RAs and administrators.
• Work collaboratively with project teams at the Cicely Saunders Institute and key external partners.
• Manage and respond to queries from research teams and partners professionally.
• Contribute to dissemination of findings including presentations at meetings, conferences, and with patient and public partners.
• Prepare funder reports, journal articles, and other presentations to a high standard of written English.
• Represent Professor Higginson and other colleagues at key meetings, including presenting on behalf of the Institute.
• Remain up to date in the research findings and methods relevant to palliative care and share updates with colleagues.
• Work independently, meet tight deadlines, have good self-organization and reliability.
• Work well with others at a range of levels.
• Deal with problems and queries throughout the duration of the Better B programme and assist partners in resolving concerns raised.
• Meet research objectives and deadlines effectively.
• Show commitment to high quality research.
• Undertake analysis of trial and survey data using appropriate software and methods.
• Undertake mixed method analysis to a high standard.
• Work closely with members of the Better B consortium including members of the CTU and CTO, statistician, health economist and clinicians.
• Establish and maintain good professional working relationships with all consortium members and other relevant experts and colleagues.
• Contribute to the postgraduate and undergraduate teaching programmes in the Institute, through teaching, marking and other development
• Travel for training, data collection and other duties and therefore conduct appropriate risk assessments and take responsibility for one’s own health and safety as well as that of others.
• Have a good understanding of research methods in health services research and/or clinical research and/or palliative care.
• Deal sensitively with distressed research participants.
• Provide support and supervision for research assistants, administrators and other junior members of staff involved in Better B.
• Provide mutual support for other members of the department, in line with the responsibility of the post and as appropriate to context.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria for grade 6 & 7

1.        A PhD awarded in health or social sciences or similar

2.       Proven track record of scientific publications

3.       Skills in managing and analysing quantitative data, descriptive and inferential statistics

4.       Excellent written and oral communication skills. Able to produce reports and papers to a high standard.

5.       Able to: prioritize competing workloads; grasp new information and learn new skills quickly; and be self-supporting

6.       Clear understanding of the sensitivities surrounding palliative care research

7.        Excellent organisation and people management skills

8.       Relevant research experience, specifically in clinical trials and in palliative care or  health services research and/or mixed methods studies, including ethical approvals

9.       Experience of adhering to GDPR, GCP and regulatory frameworks (HRA, MHRA)

10.    Attention to detail, with good record of accuracy

11.     Excellent interpersonal and management skills including ability to manage and support other staff, work independently, as part of a team and flexibly as required, and meet tight deadlines

Essential criteria for grade 7

1.        Clear understanding of the sensitivities surrounding palliative care research

2.       Excellent organisation and people management skills

3.       Ability to motivate and manage senior and junior colleagues and teams

4.       Track record in monitoring and motivating teams in other centres for recruitment and participation

5.       Track record in effective and efficient coordination and liaison with a wide range of groups, including funding bodies, clinical teams, research nurses, other PIs, patients and the public

Desirable criteria for grade 7

1.        Qualification and/or relevant training in clinical trials or project management

2.       Able and willing to travel nationally and internationally for consortium meetings and training.

Desirable criteria for grade 6

1.        Clear understanding of the sensitivities surrounding palliative care research

2.       Excellent organisation and people management skills

3.       Ability to motivate and manage senior and junior colleagues and teams

4.        Track record in monitoring and motivating teams in other centres for recruitment and participation

5.       Track record in effective and efficient coordination and liaison with a wide range of groups, including funding bodies, clinical teams, research nurses, other PIs, patients and the public