Job Description

Job description

We are looking to appoint a Post-doctoral Research Associate to work across two projects: i) exploring veterans\' physical and mental health needs using the and ii) the 24-month follow-up of the . The post holder will lead on data analyses and write up of findings for scientific publications and reports. This role is well suited to those keen to expand their publication record.

Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD):

Veterans can face complex co-occurring physical and mental health problems, yet surprisingly, little is known about veterans\' health outcomes or use of primary care. This is important to understand for service provision; for example, there are numerous services for veterans\' mental health needs, but relatively few tailored to address veterans\' physical health needs, or those with multimorbidity.

An effective way to increase our understanding about veterans accessing primary care, compared to more traditional research methods, is to use primary care records. The CPRD project seeks to i) establish the feasibility of the CPRD to identify veterans within the UK primary care system; ii) to examine whether the socio-demographic, mental and physical health profiles of veterans accessing primary healthcare differ from the general primary care population; and iii) identify the key clinical, behavioural, and socio-demographic determinants of differences in health outcomes between veterans and the non-veterans. The post holder will lead on write up of scientific publications, funder reports and inform/contribute to future grants.

NHS CHECK:

NHS CHECK is a multi-site cohort study exploring the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers. This large survey-based study includes a baseline survey with follow ups at 6,12 and 24 months. For more information, please see www.nhscheck.org. Similar to the above, the post holder will lead on write up of scientific publications, funder reports and inform/contribute to future grants.

This combined role would particularly suit a candidate with an interest in multimorbidity, organisational mental health, data linkage, data management, online data collection, or veterans\' health. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop their skills in project management, data management, complex statistical techniques, disseminating findings and governance applications. A key part of the role is to lead on writing reports and peer-reviewed publications. They will have a proactive and flexible approach to work with the willingness to undertake occasional travel. The post holder will also be required to present research at and attend internal/external meetings, seminars and conferences and be responsible for the management of Research Assistant(s). The successful candidate will carry out any additional tasks as requested by the Centre Directors.

This post will be offered on a full-time, fixed term contract until 31 August 2025.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct statistical analyses and writing of high-quality reports (lay and academic) and peer-reviewed scientific publications
• Project planning, CPRD applications and approvals, data collection, cleaning, and management of large databases
• Devise, implement and manage careful and extensive data checking procedures
• Conduct longitudinal modelling (trajectory analyses/SEM modelling)
• Present research at and attend internal/external meetings, seminars and conferences
• Support with communications and internal/external engagement and dissemination
• Line manage junior team members
• To ensure data confidentiality, work within the requirements of the Health Research Authority (HRA), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and other regulatory bodies.

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. A PhD in epidemiology, statistics, or other relevant degree with a substantial analytical and methodological component

2. Excellent working knowledge of and experience of a range of statistical and epidemiological techniques using Stata, R, or equivalent

3. Experience of assembly and management of large complex databases and design, maintenance and interrogation of relational databases

4. Experience/interest in working in mental health research

5. Experience analysing quantitative data

6. Experience of longitudinal modelling (trajectory analyses/SEM modelling)

7. Demonstrable experience in research and good understanding of research methodology

8. Ability and willingness to investigate and learn new analytical methods

9. Good organizational skills and the ability to work to project milestones/deadlines

10. Excellent written communication skills (e.g., experience in writing for publication in peer reviewed journals) with high standards of accuracy

11. Excellent verbal communication, and presentation skills

Desirable criteria

1. Knowledge of, or experience in, working with high-risk occupational groups (military, healthcare workers)

2. Experience of extracting data from medical or employment records and obtaining data from NHS England

3. Experience of grant writing/successfully awarded grants

4. Experience of line management

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.

Further information

At King\'s, we are deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all of our activities so that the university is an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work and study, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. We encourage and welcome applications from across the global community and all appointments are made solely on merit.

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance.

Times Higher Education