Job description

This is a new Postdoctoral Research Associate role in the SEP-MD (Social and economic predictors of severe mental disorders) data linkage study. The SEP-MD study is an ESRC funded study, based on one of the first UK data linkages of mental health records to individual-level ONS Census data. Using this data linkage, we will be assessing social risks for mortality, in-patient psychiatric admissions and long-term worklessness in people with severe mental illnesses, with a focus on ethnicity and migration status. The role would suit a candidate with a strong background in quantitative data analysis skills, able to conduct analyses in Stata or equivalent software and interpret outputs, who can work confidently with large-scale data sets and with experience or an interest in social epidemiology, social psychiatry, health services research or equivalent, with strong writing skills. We are seeking a team-player who is committed to Open Science and with good interpersonal skills. We will consider good candidates close to submitting their PhD. A significant part of the role will be leading/ coordinating impact and engagement activities and working closely with our non-academic partners. Tasks for this role include managing large datasets, leading secondary data analyses, leading production of peer reviewed manuscripts as first author, convening meetings with academic and non-academic stakeholders, and presenting and disseminating findings of the study. The postholder will be encouraged and supported to apply for further funding related to this and other projects.     

This post will be offered on  a fixed-term contract for 12 months 

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

Key responsibilities

•       Lead data management of linked datasets, archiving all relevant code and datasets clearly, enabling other team members to readily access these if required  

•       Develop and register quantitative analysis protocols as relevant  

•       Lead quantitative analyses and interpret findings related to the project topic areas.  

•       Lead the writing of 1-2 peer reviewed publications of quantitative findings 

•       Present research findings at regular intervals to the research team 

•       Support PI with the day-to-day administration of the project (organising meetings with other team members, note taking, circulating agendas etc) 

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  

1.       PhD (or close to submission of PhD) in psychiatric epidemiology, mental health research, population health, quantitative social sciences or equivalent 

2.       Qualification (MSc level or equivalent) in epidemiology, population sciences, public health or equivalent 

3.       Evidence of working independently to manage large datasets  

4.       Evidence of successfully leading quantitative data analyses with appropriate statistical methodologies 

5.       Evidence of using specialist statistical packages for analysis, such as STATA 

6.       Evidence of leadership in project management and strong administrative and time-keeping skills 

7.       Able to write clearly and at the appropriate level for a range of audiences across disciplines  

8.       Able to present findings in a clear and accessible manner over a variety of media, including remote/ online presentations 

9.       Has necessary approvals or willing to gain approvals to enable access to de-identified data in the Office for National Statistics Secure Research Service (SRS). 

Desirable criteria

1. Demonstrable evidence of previous leadership in academic/ research project management, evidenced through published peer reviewed manuscripts, reports or other project outputs. 
2. Experience of working with large-scale electronic health records, census records or linked datasets. 
3. Demonstrable evidence of previous leadership in academic/ research project management, evidenced through published peer reviewed manuscripts, reports or other project outputs. 
4. Experience of working with non-academic/ voluntary sector stakeholders.  

* Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.