Post Number: /
Job Description
School/Department: / Southampton Health Technology Assessments Centre(SHTAC),
School of Medicine
Post Title: / Senior Research Fellow in Healthcare Modelling
Please enter Level under appropriate Career Pathway / ERE / TAE / MSA / CAO / R.Nurse / Clinical
5
ERE Category / Academic Posts / Non-Academic Posts
Academic
(mixed) / Research
only / Teaching
only / Enterprise / Education Development
Posts Responsible to (and Level): / Principal Research Fellow
Posts Responsible for (and Level): / Coordination of activities of Research Assistants and technical staff
Job Purpose:
The Southampton Health Technology Assessments Centre (SHTAC), which is based in the School of Medicine at the University of Southampton, is a leading centre for health technology assessment and health services research in the UK. It is a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) centre of excellence for Health Technology Assessment and is contracted to the Department of Health to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of health technologies. SHTAC has expertise in health economics/modelling, evidence synthesis, information science and epidemiology.
With continuation of our contract with the Department of Health and expansion of our grant funded research programme, SHTAC is looking to strengthen its multi-disciplinary research team with this and other new posts. We are looking for a person to join a growing and cohesive multi-disciplinary research team working on economic evaluations through primary research and evidence synthesis/modelling to address major policy questions concerning the use of drugs, devices,diagnostics,procedures, public health programmes and other health interventions and on research on methodological developments more broadly.
% Time
1. To contribute to the production of SHTAC’s health technology assessment reports (TARs) which are commissioned by the Department of Health (DH) through National Institute for Health Research’s (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme to support decision making and policy development for the NHS. The TARs inform organisations such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) appraisals (single- and multiple technology appraisals) and guidelines programmes, the DH’s Policy Research Programme, National Clinical Directors, the HTA programme and others.
- To be involved in all stages in the production of technology assessment reports (TARs) including: planning, co-ordinating and managing the research; scoping of the research question and developing the research protocol; identifying and liaising with experts in the topic area; literature searching; critical appraisal of the evidence of clinical and cost effectiveness (including independent assessment of submissions by others such as technology manufacturers); synthesis of evidence; economic modelling; and writing of reports and papers for submission to peer review journals. All stages of the process are project managed using guidelines and delivered to strict deadlines and the post holder will be involved in all stages as part of a team and be required to manage associated administrative tasks. The post holder will be responsible for leading production of the economic evaluation involving managing and guiding the research team in critical appraisal of economic evaluations, developing de novo models and providing independent guidance to national bodies.
- To represent SHTAC at meetings with stakeholders involved in the production of the TAR (NICE, clinicians, patient groups and manufacturers), NICE appraisal committee meetings and other meetings as necessary. The post holder will be expected to take the lead role in any discussions.
- To update and develop the guidelines that underpin SHTAC’s research programme. The SHTAC team has the responsibility for monitoring and updating different aspects of the methods used by the team in producing systematic reviews and economic evaluations and feeding into national and international discussions on methodology for HTA. The post holder will be responsible for managing reviewing and updating specific components of the guidance.
- To attend SHTAC and researcher meetings and to attend and contribute to SHTAC’s programme of training and professional development.
- To further strengthen and develop the health economics and statistics function within SHTAC to contribute to the development of the methodology for economic evaluation and meta-analyses, and contribute to the development of further research opportunities incorporating health economic and statistical methods. The post holder will be expected to be involved in a programme of methodological research with others and to develop and lead a programme at SHTAC.
- To leadin the developments of the SHTAC Research Strategy, helping to develop the research programme and research infra-structure, including collaborating in the development of a programme of research funded through successful grant applications. Develop a programme of collaborative research building on their current on-going research and to lead groups in SHTAC in developing new collaborative research bids and delivering projects.
- To leadresearchers from other disciplines to appropriately incorporate elements of economic analysis and statistical analysis into the conduct of HTA. The post holder will be expected to develop collaborative links to allow research funding to be obtained.
- To pursue peer review publications in key journals and present papers at national and international conferences to disseminate research findings. The post holder will be expected to lead in developing and writing publications.
- To work with colleagues to deliver a programme of learning materials on health economics (e.g. economic evaluation, critical appraisal of economic literature, assessment of outcomes, economic modelling) and/or statistics, and to manage the process.
- In addition to those associated with undertaking the tasks identified in (1) and (2) above, the post holder would need to attend internal meetings and to undertake administrative responsibilities that improve the work undertaken by SHTAC and WIHRD.
- Other duties/activities as required and appropriate.
- To have line management responsibility for research staff.
20%
Internal & External Relationships: (nature & purpose of relationships)
- Internal: Professor, Principal Research Fellows, Senior Lecturers (clinical), Senior Research Fellows, Research Fellows, Information Scientists and administrators to support research work.
- External: Academics, clinicians, health service professionals, administrators, representatives of manufacturers, peer reviewers and editors involved in the programme of research.
Special Requirements:
Travel to meetings associated with the programme of research particularly that linked with the NICE appraisal programme.
Person Specification
Criteria / Essential / Desirable / How to be assessed
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:
- A Degree (or equivalent)
- A Masters level qualification (or equivalent professional qualification) and significant experience in healthcare modelling or a relevant subject (such as health economics/ statistics/operational research).
- A PhD or equivalent specialist knowledge, skills and experience
- Knowledge of methodology of health technology assessment
- Excellent IT knowledge/skills, including Word, Excel, Reference Manager, Powerpoint.
- Demonstrable skills and experience in spreadsheet modelling or producing economic evaluations
- Knowledge of, and/or demonstrable skills incritical appraisal of economic evaluations
- Knowledge of, and/or demonstrable skills in, evidence synthesis
- Knowledge of, and/or demonstrable skills in meta-analysis
- A proven track record in delivering research projects to deadline and quality
- Ability to write concisely and clearly on technical subjects and prepare reports and publications for peer review journals to strict deadlines
- Growing and consistent national reputation in healthcare modelling
- Publications in peer reviewed journals
- Ability and track record in making presentations to different audiences (e.g. group meetings and conferences).
- Previous experience in an HTA unit
- Programme of personal research in HTA or health services research
- Knowledge of, and/or demonstrable skills in, medical statistics
Planning and Organising:
- Project management skills
- Proven ability to organise a range of high quality research activities to deadline and quality standards, ensuring plans complement broader research strategy
- Proven ability to develop innovative research proposals and attract research funding
X
X / Application & Interview
Application & Interview
Application & Interview
Problem Solving and Initiative:
- Familiarity with critical appraisal and/or statistical analysis
- Able to identify and develop an understanding of complex problems and apply in-depth knowledge to address them
- Able to develop original techniques/methods/ approaches to address problems
X
X / Application & Interview
Application, Interview & Task
Application & Interview
Management and Teamwork:
- Personal time management skills
- Able to manage, motivate and coordinate research team, delegating effectively.
- Able to undertake coordinating role.
- Work effectively in a multidisciplinary team, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of others to help teamwork development
X
X / Application & Interview
Application & Interview
Application & Interview
- Experience in managing people
- Experience in managing resources and budgets
Communicating and Influencing:
- Ability to communicate concepts and information effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Able to provide expert guidance to colleagues in own team, other work areas and institutions to develop understanding and resolve complex problems
X / Application & Interview
Application & Interview
- Ability to work with people from a wide variety of academic disciplines and other backgrounds
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
Other Skills and Behaviours:
- Understanding of relevant Health & Safety issues
- Positive attitude to colleagues
X / Application & Interview
Application & Interview
Special Requirements:
- Able to attend national and international conferences to present research results
Job Hazard Analysis Form - Appendix to Job and Person Specification
Please tick one of the following statements:
This post is an office-based job with routine office hazards e.g. use of VDU (if ticked, no further information needs to be supplied) / This post has some hazards other than routine office e.g. more than use of VDU
Please tick all those that apply, and put N/A if not applicable
Environmental Exposures / O* / F / COutside work / NA
Extremes of temperature (eg fridge/ furnace) / NA
Potential for exposure to body fluids ## / NA
Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa) ## / NA
Exposure to hazardous substances (eg solvents, liquids, dust, fumes, biohazards). Specify …………………………………………………………. ## / NA
Frequent hand washing / NA
Ionising radiation. / NA
Equipment/Tools/Machines used / NA
Food Handling ## / NA
Driving university vehicles(e.g. car/van/LGV/PCV) ## / NA
Use of latex gloves (note: prohibited unless specific clinical necessity) ## / NA
Vibrating tools ( e.g. strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers) ## / NA
Physical Abilities / NA
Load manual handling. / NA
Repetitive Crouching/Kneeling/Stooping / NA
Repetitive Pulling/Pushing / NA
Repetitive Lifting / NA
Standing for prolonged periods / NA
Repetitive Climbing i.e. steps, stools, ladders / NA
Fine motor grips (e.g. pipetting) / NA
Gross motor grips / NA
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height / NA
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height / NA
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height / NA
Psychosocial Issues / NA
Face to face contact with public / NA
Lone working / NA
Shift work/night work/on call duties / NA
O – Occasionally (up to 1/3 of time); F – Frequently (up to 2/3 of time); C – Constantly (more than 2/3 of time) ## denotes to HR the need for a full PEHQ to be sent to all applicants for this position.
FOR SCHOOL/SERVICE USE ONLY / ResourceLink Post NumberWhich post does this job report to
Is this post a Line Manager? / Yes / No
If yes, which posts directly report into it? / ResourceLink Post Number
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