Research Assistant (Fixed Term)

We are seeking an enthusiastic Research Assistant to undertake a fixed term project examining the epidemiology of specialist surgery. Specialist surgery is undertaken in centralised hospitals, meaning patients often require transfer between institutions. This creates the potential for inequality, delay, and harm. This project, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) looks to understand: who needs specialist surgery, where do they live, how does their outcome relate to baseline health inequalities, and are their specific pathways vulnerable to strain and harm?

The primary purpose of this funding is to appoint a research assistant to help determine the population need for specialist surgery, identify surgical pathways vulnerable to strain and inequality, while generating data crucial to future health services planning.  This is in addition to general assistance to the PI in the running of the project. 

The opportunity to apply for a MPhil/PhD using this project is available.  Home fees at a staff level area have also been provided by the funder.  If wished, the successful candidate will need to apply for the MPhil/PhD independently, meet the required admission criteria, and attend an interview by a university admissions panel before being offered the opportunity to undertake a higher course of study.

The Role

The successful applicant will join a motivated team exploring how specialist surgery can be made safer for patients and more efficient for healthcare systems. They will be based within the perioperative, acute, critical, and emergency care section (PACE) within the University of Cambridge's Department of Medicine. 

The project will require the successful applicant to use routinely collected national data sources (such as hospital episode statistics HES) and pre-existing cohorts (the UK Biobank) to determine; population need for specialist surgeries, relation of baseline inequalities to outcome, and identify vulnerable pathways that will be explored in more detail using systems engineering approaches. 

Requirements

The ideal candidate should have experience in epidemiological methods (including population epidemiology, regression) and ideally some experience in network analysis. They will have a qualification (BSc level or equivalent) in a relevant scientific or mathematical subject with a postgraduate degree in epidemiology (or related discipline) desirable.   

Informal enquiries regarding this position are strongly encouraged to contact: Dr Daniel Stubbs  (djs225@cam.ac.uk )

 Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. This appointment also requires a Research Passport application.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above.  

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Interview date: To be confirmed

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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