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Role Description
Faculty/Service: Health & Life Sciences
Department: Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation
Role Title: Postdoctoral Researcher - Enhancing breast cancer survivorship through dietary and exercise support
Grade: 5
Category: Research
Role Purpose: To undertake supervised research work for the Department of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation at Northumbria University to deliver the Yorkshire Cancer Research funded NEW DAY-ABC project.
Responsible to: Prof John Saxton (Northumbria University), and Dr Helen Crank (Sheffield Hallam University)
Generic Duties and Responsibilities:
In line with the University’s Mission, Corporate Strategy and Leadership Attributes, you will:
· Conduct high quality research in cancer survivorship
· Communicate your findings, both nationally and internationally, in a professional manner.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
· Co-ordination and delivery of Phase 1 of the NEW DAY-ABC study - qualitative scoping research with participants, both patients and professionals.
· Undertaking the co-design of the research intervention with participants alongside other members of the research team.
· Development of intervention materials and training events for Lifestyle Advisors.
· Developing own knowledge and understanding of the area through supervised and self-initiated learning and training.
· Co-ordination and delivery of Phase 2 of the NEW DAY-ABC study - internal pilot RCT in Newcastle. Including recruitment, assessment of outcomes and data collection/collation.
· Utilising mixed methods techniques and analysis to collect and analyse data.
· Undertaking blinded assessment of outcomes over 14 months in phase 2 in Newcastle.
· Report writing and contribution to journal manuscripts.
· Active role in marketing and publicity activities.
· Attendance at internal and external trial meetings.
· Contribution to governance processes as required.
· Involvement in the development of future aligned, research ideas and research grant applications.
· Ability to travel to Sheffield and travel within Newcastle.
Research, Knowledge Transfer and Consultancy
· Work collaboratively with colleagues in the NEW DAY-ABC research team and CSES Research centre.
· Carry out research and analysis within appropriate research projects, with overall research questions and objectives defined by others.
· Undertake literature reviews to research the subject area
· Designs research tools within overall agreed research methodology e.g. user-centred design methods, research questionnaire or experiment for approval by the project leader.
· Gather data using a range of suitable techniques.
· Analyse qualitative and quantitative data gathered through experiments / fieldwork.
· Write up results of research and contributes to writing project reports and papers for publication.
· Contribute to writing conference papers and journal articles.
· Occasionally attend conferences and contribute to presentations with colleagues e.g. on project findings or progress.
· Occasionally lead on small projects.
· Continually update knowledge and understanding in field or specialism.
Business Effectiveness
· Contribute to the development of grant applications and project / consultancy bid writing.
· Maintain good relationships with clients, updating them on project findings and progress.
· Input to promoting the work of the Centre.
Teaching and delivery
May be involved in teaching on appropriate courses and supporting research students e.g.:
· Leading seminar groups.
· Act as dissertation supervisor for UG and PG students.
· Part of Doctoral supervisory team.
· Provide service to students when involved in lecturing or supervision.
Quality
· Consistent delivery of research/KT activities on time and to budget and quality.
· Written reports, papers and presentations to be of a high standard, appropriate for journal submission, client reports and conferences.
· Able to work to at least national standard in terms of research outputs.
Volume
· Management and delivery of research and knowledge transfer activities (e.g. fieldwork, data collection and analysis)
· Contribute to a number of journal and conference papers each year
Funding
· Contributes to the applications for bids and the identification of income generation
· May generate small amounts of funding through KT projects, young researcher awards, travel grants etc.
External Standing
· Attendance at conferences and contributes to presentations.
· Interactions with clients and external partners.
Location: Northumberland Building, City Campus.
Attendance Requirements:
37 hours per week: Core Monday – Friday, 9:00-17:00 with some flexibility to accommodate out of normal hours working.
Additional Information:
References
Contact with your present or most recent employer will be made if you are offered the position. Please complete the relevant section in the application form.
Person Specification
Faculty/Service: Health & Life Sciences
Role Title: Postdoctoral Researcher - Enhancing breast cancer survivorship through dietary and exercise support.
Grade: 5
E/D / A/I1. / Specific Knowledge/Experience
Sound knowledge and understanding of the theoretical rationale for lifestyle modification in clinical populations for health improvement. / E / I
Experience of delivering weight management interventions (physical activity/diet based) or lifestyle modification interventions. / E / A&I
Practical experience of conducting user-centred design methods (co-design) with patients and/or public to develop health/physical activity interventions/pathways of care. / D / A&I
Experience of working with cancer patients in a research, clinical or therapeutic setting. / D / A&I
Knowledge and experience of qualitative research methods for evaluating patient experience / D / A&I
Knowledge and experience of quantitative research methods and RCT design. / E / A&I
Experience of report writing and publication, including conference papers, journal papers and client reports / E / A&I
Experience of communicating with patients and public for the purposes of research / E / A
Experience of supporting bid writing/ external funding / D / A
2. / Skills and Abilities
Good planning and organisational skills and the ability to manage conflicting demands and meet deadlines. / E / A
Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively, both on projects and as part of a team. / E / A
Ability to effectively manage and lead relations with a variety of stakeholders both internal and external to the University. / E / A
Good numeracy skills and the ability to analyse quantitative data using a range of statistical methods. / D / A
Ability to undertake and document all key stages in research to ensure high quality analysis. / E / I
Ability to undertake a range of research support tasks, including literature reviews, preparation of presentations, contribution to report writing, and contribution to funding bids. / E / A
Ability to concisely and effectively present findings orally and in writing. / E / L/I/P
4. / Education/Training
PhD qualification or within 3 months of submission of PhD. / E / A
Doctorate in the subject area of physical activity or diet for clinical health improvement with a relevant specific focus such as lifestyle behaviour modification, user-centred design, clinical condition management. / E / A
Membership of a relevant professional body. / D / A
5. / Other Requirements
Willingness to work flexibly including some weekends, evenings and overnight stays (occasional) and occasional overseas travel. / D / I
Willing to regularly travel within South Yorkshire, occasional travel to Newcastle. / E / I
Engages in appropriate CPD and takes responsibility for own continuous personal development. / E / A
Legend:
E = Essential A = Application Form L - Letter
D = Desirable I = Interview P = Presentation
Version 09/02/2018