CPRD Research Assistant London 2024

We are currently looking for a Research Assistant to join our Clinical Practice Research Datalink team in the Safety and Surveillance group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.

We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 4 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 8 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.

Who are we?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

The Safety and Surveillance Group brings together into a single integrated structure devices and medicines safety expertise with enforcement capabilities. These functions will be supported by our data and evidence generating capabilities complementing our signal generating capabilities produced via the new Safety Connect System.

Part of the Safety and Surveillance group, The Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), with support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is the UK’s preeminent research service providing access to anonymised NHS data for research. In addition to supporting high quality observational research, CPRD has developed world leading services based on using real world data to support clinical trials and interventional studies.

What’s the role?

The Research Assistant role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the UK Government’s premier data-driven research service and offers an exciting opportunity to help shape the UK Government’s premier data-driven research service. The CPRD Research Assistant will support the delivery of a range of research activities in the CPRD Observational Research team and will play a key role in supporting the CPRD dataset delivery service. Responsibilities include interpreting and summarising approved research protocols to produce data extraction specifications; working closely with CPRD researchers and external clients to finalise project deliverables; partnering with internal teams to deliver analytics of new and existing CPRD data resources and supporting internal and commissioned research studies.

Key responsibilities

• Interpret and summarise epidemiological research protocols to produce clear and accurate data extraction specifications.
• Define dataset extraction deliverables including code set definitions, denominator generation, costings and project delivery timelines
• Service the provision of data extracts in accordance with CPRD’s dataset processing guidelines and standard operating procedures
• Support CPRD Research Services and people management

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will:

• Have sound knowledge of epidemiological research, with experience of applying this in practice, including preparing data specifications from research protocols.
• Have a degree in Epidemiology, Medical Statistics, Health Economics, Public Health or equivalent related qualification.
• Have proven ability in processing and/or use of large health care data sets, using STATA, SAS, SQL and/or R.
• Have good organizational skills: capable of planning and managing multiple projects, working under pressure to deliver projects of a high standard and on time; able to work with a high degree of autonomy, knowing when to seek advice.
• Be self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal accountability, ensuring tasks, projects and issues are appropriately dealt with to their successful delivery or conclusion.

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

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The selection process

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here.

• Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
• Test, further information will be supplied when you reach this stage
• Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

Applicants must ensure that anything submitted must be factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism ‘can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.

• Closing date: Tuesday 23rd April 2024
• Shortlisting date: Friday 26th April 2024
• Interview date: Wednesday 8th May 2024

Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome.