Research Associate/Assistant (in Decision Modelling) 2024

We are seeking a Research Assistant/Research Associate in decision modelling to join the Health Economics Group in the Population Health Sciences Institute. You will spend 60-80% of their time for the first two years working on National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) technology appraisals as part of the Newcastle Technology Assessment Group (TAG) contract or on technology appraisals for the Newcastle External Assessment Group. These include conducting economic evaluations through constructing and adapting economic decision models for technology assessments and reviewing the economics component of company technology assessment reports for their technology. The post-holder will also spend 20-40% of their time working on a variety of other economic evaluation projects. In time, they will develop and lead research in the area of economic evaluation.

For the position of Research Associate, applicants should have a PhD or equivalent experience in Health Economics or a related subject with a high level of quantitative analysis (e.g. economics, statistics, mathematical modelling). They will also have completed an MSc in one of these areas. For the position of Research Assistant, applicants should have a Masters in Health Economics or another quantitative discipline. Additional experience working in economics research is desirable. The successful Research Associate or Research Assistant will receive appropriate training opportunities. Working on technology appraisals provides the opportunity to rapidly develop skills in conducting economic evaluations using decision models.

The candidate needs to be highly motivated, with strong quantitative skills and have an interest in decision modelling and statistical methods used to estimate model parameters. They will need to develop good report writing skills. Successful candidates will have experience proportionate to the level of post in economic evaluation including: development of analysis plans, costing of interventions; data collection and analysis; decision analytic modelling.

In time, the candidate will be encouraged to develop their own areas of research, support on-going projects, including, at the Associate level, the supervision of other researchers. You will be part of a thriving health economics group and must be willing to work in multidisciplinary teams and institutions.

The post is full-time, fixed term for 2 years

Please note that if you are successful to this role, you will require medical clearance and a Disclosure and Barring Service Check before you can commence in the role.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Stephen Rice or Gurdeep Sagoo (via stephen.rice@newcastle.ac.uk, gurdeep.sagoo@newcastle.ac.uk).

The Population Health Sciences Institute is committed to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion for all staff and students. Applications for part time/flexible working are welcome; please state your desired working arrangements in your application.

Research associate key accountabilities

• Conduct work related to the methodological development, design and conduct of model-based economic evaluation including: development of decision analytic models, costing of interventions; data collection and analysis
• Support delivery of the TAR and EAG contracts for the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence by reviewing company evidence submissions; and systematically reviewing published decision models and evaluating the cost-effectiveness of diagnostic and device technologies by adapting and developing decision models
• Collect and organise data; ensure that research activity and data are consistent with current research governance instructions and Data Protection legislation; ensure that research activity and data collection and management meet the demands of new instructions and legislation as these come into effect and keep appropriate records
• Carry out research within agreed timelines, meeting project milestones and to an appropriate standard
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project
• Prepare papers for publication and disseminate findings at conferences as required
• Involvement with support by senior team members in writing grant application bids
• Support the teaching of health economics on the Institute and Faculty of Medical Science postgraduate and undergraduate courses as required
• Identify and undertake a programme of professional development, including further training in research methods and other transferable skills
• To contribute to the activities of the Health Economics Group at Newcastle University
• Maintain academic standards and freedom, and work in accordance with university policies (e.g. equal opportunities, health and safety policies)
• Carry out administrative tasks and other duties to support the Population Health Sciences Institute as required by the Dean

The person

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Experience of conducting research involving the development of decision analytic models in health economics, or statistical or mathematical modelling in another area
• Ability to work independently and as part of the research project team
• Ability to prioritise key tasks
• Demonstrable ability to work in a range of education settings and situations
• Ability to carry out research project work within agreed timelines, meeting project milestones and producing research to an appropriate standard
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work flexibly and cooperatively with others
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect research/personal data according to protocols and principles of good research practice
• Ability to prepare reports and papers for presentation at national and international conferences and meetings
• Evidence of ability to write for high quality peer reviewed journals, with a publication record at a national level
• Evidence of skills in using relevant statistical and economic modelling software packages

Desirable

• Experience of preparing research proposals for submission to competitive funding organisations (e.g. NIHR, research councils)
• Teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate level in an academic setting
• Experience of conducting advanced economic modelling (e.g. Discrete Event Simulation)
• Experience of using evidence synthesis statistical methods such as meta-analysis in research
• Knowledge of regression analysis methods
• Knowledge of survival analysis methods
• Supervision of students and/or early career researchers

Qualifications

• An MSc in Health Economics or closely related subject with a high content of quantitative analysis (e.g. economics, statistics, mathematical modelling)
• PhD in Health Economics or a closely related subject with a high content of quantitative analysis (e.g. economics, statistics, mathematical modelling) or equivalent experience

Research assistant key accountabilities

• Use initiative and creativity to develop decision analytic models, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes
• Support delivery of the TAR and EAG contracts for the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence by reviewing company evidence submissions; and systematically reviewing published decision models and evaluating the cost-effectiveness of diagnostic and device technologies by adapting and developing decision models
• Co-ordinate own work with that of others, deal with problems which may affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s)
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project
• Prepare papers for publication and disseminate findings at conferences as required.
• Work to deadlines and manage, with support, competing priorities
• Maintain academic standards and freedom, and work in accordance with university policies (e.g. equal opportunities, health and safety policies)
• Identify and undertake a programme of professional development, including further training in research methods and other transferable skills
• Support the teaching of health economics on the Institute and Faculty of Medical Science postgraduate and undergraduate courses as required
• To contribute to the activities of the Health Economics Group at Newcastle University
• Carry out administrative tasks and other duties to support the Population Health Sciences Institute as required by the Dean

The person

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Knowledge of decision analytic modelling methods in health economics, or statistical or mathematical modelling in another area
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to prioritise key tasks
• Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work flexibly and cooperatively with others
• Evidence of skills in using relevant statistical and economic modelling software packages

Desirable

• Experience of research on methodological aspects of decision analytic modelling
• Teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate level in an academic setting
• Demonstrable ability to work in a range of education settings and situations
• Ability to carry out research project work within agreed timelines, meeting project milestones and producing research to an appropriate standard
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect research/personal data according to protocols and principles of good research practice
• Ability to prepare reports and papers for presentation at national and international conferences and meetings.
• Evidence of ability to write for high quality peer reviewed journals, with a publication record at a national level.
• Knowledge of evidence synthesis statistical methods such as meta-analysis

Qualifications

• An MSc in Health Economics or closely related subject with a high content of quantitative analysis (e.g. economics, statistics, mathematical modelling)

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.