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Full time/Part time hours available by negotiation
Fixed term for 18 months

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 09 April 2023.
Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 19 April 2023.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a postdoctoral role that may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances under SOC code 2119.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

Applications are invited for two Health Service Researchers (full or part time), to join a team led by Dr Erica Gadsby working on two Cancer Research UK funded projects for 18 months from May 2023. The projects are both collaborative ones, working with local NHS Boards, on breast cancer (NHS Forth Valley) and prostate cancer (NHS Fife) diagnostic pathways. The projects are independent from each other, but they will follow the same time-scale and general methodological approach. There is scope, therefore, for two researchers to work together across both projects, to enable mutual support and learning.

The successful applicants will manage the research part of one of the projects, working closely with their counterpart in the NHS who will manage the implementation part. They will be supported throughout by Dr Gadsby and a multi-disciplinary academic research team at University of Stirling. Key duties will be to work closely with our NHS colleagues on finalising the research methodology, approach and methods; plan and co-ordinate team meetings; co-ordinate health services data sharing with NHS partner; plan and conduct qualitative data collection and analysis; support the analysis of quantitative data; lead on report writing and dissemination activities.

You will have a relevant Doctorate or equivalent research work experience, together with a passion for improving health services and health outcomes, relevant experience of contributing and presenting to publications/presentations, and an ability to manage academic research and associated activities.

You will be based in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport at the University of Stirling.

The position is funded by Cancer Research UK, fixed-term for 18 months in the first instance, ideally beginning in May 2023. Full or part-time hours by negotiation.

Please contact Dr Erica Gadsby ([email protected]) if you would like to discuss the role prior to submitting an application.

This role contributes to research project delivery of two specific 18-month projects funded by Cancer Research UK, conducted in collaboration with NHS Fife and NHS Forth Valley. Each project is an evaluated ‘test of change’ to diagnostic pathways for patients with suspected prostate cancer (Fife) and for patients presenting to primary care with a breast lump (Forth Valley).

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage own academic research and administrative activities. This involves project management, to co-ordinate multiple aspects of project to meet deadlines
• Execute an evaluative study in conjunction with and support from the project team, which includes: working with a stakeholder and patient and public involvement group; refining an evaluation framework; developing data collection tools; conducting qualitative data collection using semi-structured interviews; accessing and analysing health services data and relevant documents/information; managing databases; analysing, synthesising and interpreting data and developing conclusions and recommendations as appropriate
• Resolve problems of meeting research objectives and deadlines
• Update relevant knowledge and undertake any further training that may be required to undertake the project
• Assist and contribute to the dissemination plan of the project; collaborate in the preparation of research publications and reports; present papers at conferences or public meetings
• Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on methodologies or procedures; mentor colleagues with less experience
• Represent the research group at external meetings/seminars, either with other members of the group or alone
• Participate in and develop external networks, for example for knowledge mobilisation

Qualifications

• Educated to PhD level in a relevant subject area, or equivalent work experience in a role where you have been responsible for carrying out qualitative or mixed method health services research studies

Knowledge and experience

• Good knowledge of qualitative research methods, including data collection and analysis

Skills and attributes

• Ability to lead and conduct rigorous qualitative or mixed methods research, including governance, data collection, analysis and dissemination
• Ability to work well in a team, and to collaborate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including patient and public representatives
• Ability to think strategically and work independently as appropriate to deliver on the requirements of the role
• Excellent organisational and time management skills. Ability to plan and effectively deliver on tasks on time with demonstrable attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings
• Possess sufficient Information Technology (computer) skills to meet the needs of the project
• Willingness to learn new research skills
• Ability and willingness to work flexibly in order to meet project’s demands
• Ability to work remotely (i.e. via MS Teams) and in-person
• Willingness to travel within Scotland as needed for project meetings

• Possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the topic
• Experience of independently managing a discrete area of a research project
• Understanding of university research and funding environment
• Experience of building networks with partners in the public and voluntary sectors
• Detailed knowledge of NVivo
• Strong or developing publication record, including REF-submittable journal articles

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport

The Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport is at the heart of the University’s sporting and wellbeing life, offering extensive study and research opportunities. Our focus is to make a difference to communities and the people within them, across the world. We focus on delivering excellence in all we do and to make global impact through research, education and practice. We inform policy at national and international levels by ensuringour researchand teaching has impact. Our students develop to become competitive, independent, confident learners and our skilled graduates are global citizens, capable of making a difference wherever they work. We value lifelong learning and education, research-led teaching and an excellent student experience. We aim to make a real difference to the global health and sport industries.

Health Sciences

We have a thriving research and post-graduate community of PhD and Clinical Doctorate students. We offer a number of undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities. Our BSc Nursing (Adult or Mental Health) course has won eleven Student Nursing Times Awards since 2012 including UK Nurse educator of the year twice. We have also received multiple commendations from the Nursing and Midwifery Council for our close working relationships with our NHS partners. Our nursing lecturers work in collaboration with our paramedic lecturers to deliver excellence in teaching across the Paramedic Science programme. We also have more than 97% of our undergraduate leavers in employment or further study within six months of graduating. Our taught postgraduate courses integrate academic learning, research and professional practice and are designed to develop graduates with the employability skills required by the sector.

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4thin Scotland and 43rdin the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021). Interdisciplinary in its approach, Stirling’s research informs its teaching curriculum and facilitates opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration between staff, students, industry partners and the wider community.

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 10 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 120 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The campus – also home to 1,700 staff – has its own loch and castle, and a recent multi-million-pound redevelopment has delivered modern, flexible, and digitally connected study and social spaces at the heart of campus, including enhanced student support and retail and catering outlets.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019). Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence and its recently redeveloped world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

As a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, the University is driving productivity and inclusive growth across the Forth Valley, and beyond. Through pioneering collaborative solutions to global challenges, researchers are putting innovation, skills, and partnership at the heart of a sustainable economic recovery.
www.stir.ac.uk@stiruni