Position Details

Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Science

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2024

Closing date: 19th September 2023

Background

The post-holder will conduct economic analysis as part of the ASSIST study which aims to assess the impact of online postal self-sampling (OPSS) services for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV on health inequalities, access to care, and clinical and economic outcomes, and to identify the factors that influence the implementation and sustainability of OPSS services. The post-holder will be based in the Health Economics Unit in the Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, supervised by Dr Louise Jackson and working with a multi-disciplinary health research team, led by Prof Fiona Burns and Dr Jo Gibbs at UCL.

The ASSIST study focuses on understanding the benefits and challenges of online postal self-sampling, and the work required for implementing, integrating and embedding online postal self-sampling services into routine practice. The post-holder will analyse the costs and outcomes associated with OPSS services compared to clinic-based services, through undertaking an economic analysis based on the resource use, clinical outcomes and cost data collected from three case study areas (London, Birmingham and Sheffield).

The post-holder will join an established health economics unit with experience in applied economic evaluation and advancing methods. They will join an environment where they will be well-supported with training and development opportunities.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career researcher to be involved in delivering a key component of a health research study. It offers the post-holder the chance to apply (and further develop) skills in economic evaluation, distributional cost-effectiveness analysis, and in supporting decision-making.

Role Summary

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic researcher who will assess the costs and outcomes for screening using self-sampling kits ordered online compared to usual care, and analyse impacts on equity. The post-holder will be based in the Health Economics Unit in the Institute of Applied Health Research.

Main Duties

• To review and critically appraise relevant economic literature
• To identify and collect appropriate resource utilisation data and identify appropriate costs
• To extract relevant data from published economic studies. Such data is likely to include costs, outcomes, assumptions and other parameters
• To estimate costs and conduct an economic evaluation (both model and trial-based)
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Communicate with the wider research team, including reports and attendance at meetings (virtual and face to face)
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• To a limited degree, to support the HEU teaching programme, particularly in relation to the Masters programme in Health Economics and Health Policy/Econometrics
• To support any other appropriate activities that will help to achieve the objectives of the Health Economics Unit
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• A Masters degree in Health Economics
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly as demonstrated by conference presentation and publications where possible
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Experience of using statistical analysis software such as STATA and SPSS
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquires to Louise Jackson, email: l.jackson.1@bham.ac.uk

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.