Senior Research Fellow - School of Social Policy and SocietyGrade 9

Position Details

School of Social Policy and Society

Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range 57422 to 66537 with potential progression once in post to 86760

Grade: 9

Full Time Fixed Term contract up to March 2027

Closing date: 27th April 2025

Interviews to be held: 8th and 9th May 2025

Background

The University of Birmingham is seeking to appoint an ambitious and outstanding academic with Expertise in Medical Statistics and / or Health Economics.

You will be joining the College of Social Sciences as a senior member of a dynamic team of academics in the new Birmingham Centre for Evidence and Implementation Science (BCEIS). You will be part of a multidisciplinary team at the forefront of methodological innovation and policy and practice change. The Centre encompasses: 1 A Technology Appraisal Review (TAR) team that delivers diagnostic and medicine technology appraisals for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and other stakeholders 2 an Evidence Synthesis Group delivering a range of evidence synthesis products for the NIHR and a wide range of stakeholders 3 an Evidence Based Surgery Unit as well as research into implementation science and methodology.

BCEIS are looking to appoint an ambitious and accomplished researcher with a strong track record in Medical Statistics and / or Health Economics in Health Technology Assessment. This exciting new post will involve leading the team that delivers health technology assessment (HTA) projects for the Centres TAR team as well as providing senior guidance and expertise in Medical Statistics and / or Health Economics to the team and more broadly across the College and University as required.

You will provide leadership for and work with a multidisciplinary team of information specialists systematic reviewers epidemiologists statisticians and modellers in appraising evidence on the clinical and cost effectiveness of diagnostic and medical technologies. You will provide senior leadership to junior and midcareer colleagues and guidance in your field of expertise.

You will collaborate with colleagues in other departments at the University of Birmingham with synergistic research activities and contribute to other workstreams within BCEIS. Other national and international collaboration will be expected.

Role Summary

To play a lead role in strengthening health technology assessment research at the University of Birmingham and to contribute to international research excellence and impact in Medical Statistics / Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment.

To attract substantial external research funding to support and develop the research group.Members of BCEIS already have an established track record of generating significant income to support research activity relating to health economics medical statistics systematic review and mixed methods evaluation screening and test evaluation.

Contributing at a senior level on a sustained basis to the whole range of research and administration.

Research is likely to involve an established national and developing international reputation through significant original research work and a clear record of impact and/or designing and developing innovative underpinning technologies.

Management and administration is likely to include Departmental/School leadership and management activity with Universitywide involvement and may include sustained high value impact knowledge transfer enterprise business engagement public engagement and similar activities that are of manifest benefit the College and University.

Main Duties

Research

Pursue sustained research activity through original research and scholarship including other researchrelated contributions through conference papers and presentations and/or consultancy projects and advice.Where appropriate for the discipline this may include some but not all of the responsibilities listed below.

• Make a major contribution to the management of research activities
• Lead successful funding bids which develop and sustain research support for the specialist area (in disciplines where this is possible
• Publish leading research that results in a sustained highly respected reputation of international quality in the subject area and/or designing and developing innovative underpinning technologies
• Provide expert advice internally and externally
• Provide leadership of research that contributes to the progression of the discipline (in disciplines where this is possible)
• Referee and peer review articles for peer reviewed academic journals and grant applications by research councils and/or other major funding bodies

Lead sustained high value impact activity in knowledge transfer and enterprise (includingbusiness engagement public engagement) that is of manifest benefit to the College and University and: (a) makes a significant contribution to policy development at national and international level; and/or (b) involves development of industrial links and comparable networks and initiatives.

In addition research responsibilities will include some but not all the indicative responsibilities from grade 8 listed below.

• Project manage research activities and/or supervising other research staff
• Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued
• Supervise and examine PhD students both within the institution and externally

Management/administration

Chair and/or lead activities in the Department/School and representation on University committees or working groups.Where appropriate to the discipline this may include some but not all of the responsibilities listed below.

• Contribute significantly to the development and running of the Department or School for example leading activity on research
• Develop and manage staff and resources in support of major research activities
• Make significant contributions to the development of the Department/ Schools research strategy
• Contribute significantly to the development and delivery of knowledge transfer enterprise business engagement and public engagement activities with a sustained high value impact of manifest benefit to the College and the University
• Develops and implements a culture (including policies and procedures) that promotes Equality and values diversity and inclusion

In addition management/administration responsibilities will include some but not necessarily all the indicative responsibilities from grade 8 listed below.

• Contribute to the administration/management of research across the Department/School
• Lead/project manage a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive)
• Advise on personal development
• Contribute to administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels working groups)
• Develop and manage staff and resources in support of major research activities

Person Specification

Demonstrated excellence at the level of accomplishment expected to meet the promotion criteria for Senior Lecturer in both Research and Management and Administration as outlined below. In addition (i) a higher volumeof excellent outputs/inputs in Research and in researchrelated Management and Administration than would be expected for a Senior Lecturer in a similar field; and/or (ii) an exceptional quality of outputs in Research and in researchrelated Management and Administration.

Research requirements

An excellent national reputation and a developing international profile through original research work and a clear record of impact.Evidence of success under the following headings as appropriate to the discipline:

• High level peer esteem as evidenced by:
  • Excellent reputation in the UK and often internationally reflected in sustained high quality output level of innovation impact on subject and recognition.
  • An excellent and sustained record of peer reviewed research publications.
• Successful and sustained supervision of doctoral students to completion.
• Substantial and sustained research income generation e.g. through research grants contracts research consultancy or other external funding.
• Sustained high value impact knowledge transfer and enterprise that is of manifest benefit to the College and University.

Management and administrationrelated requirements

Demonstrated significant achievement in management and administrationrelated activities which may include leadership of activities/initiatives.Evidence of success under the following headings.

• Successful and sustained performance in significant administrative/managerial role (s) (e.g. exams officer).
• Significant and sustained high quality innovative contributions to the management/administration of the Department/School/College or University.
• Successful and sustained contribution to the corporate life of the School/College/University displaying willingness to contribute actively to committees collaborative teaching and administrative tasks.
• Actively promotes equality and diversity to internal and external stakeholders.
• Able to use data to identify equality and diversity issues.
• Experience of developing interventions to address equality and diversity issues.

The skills and experience listed above will be additional the skills and experience required at grade 8 including higher degree relevant to research area (normally PhD) or equivalent qualifications.

Informal enquiries to Amy Grove email:

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyoneon our website.