UNIVRSITY OF LINCOLN JOB DSCRIPTION JOB TITL DPARTMNT LOCATION Health conomist Community and Health Research Unit (CaHRU), College of Social Sciences Brayford Campus, Lincoln JOB NUMBR CSS006 GRAD 7 DAT September 2013 RPORTS TO Professor Niro Siriwardena CONTXT Working in the dynamic and multi-disciplinary research environment of the Community and Health Research Unit (CaHRU), the Health conomist will be central to supporting our expanding programme of health economics research. This will include identifying, measuring and analysing health economic outcomes across uropean (FP7) projects (e.g., long-term conditions, quality in primary care) as well as high profile National research programmes. The Health conomist will work under the guidance of Professor Niroshan Siriwardena (Director, CaHRU) and Dr Karen Windle (Reader in Health, CaHRU). The Health conomist will be encouraged to develop skills to undertake high quality empirical and methodological research in health economics. The Community and Health Research Unit (CaHRU) is led by Professor Niroshan Siriwardena and is based in the Lincoln School of Health and Social Care at the University of Lincoln. At CaHRU, we undertake independent empirical and operational research relating to quality improvement in health and social care. Our research has had an important influence on policy and clinical and operational practice in the UK and beyond, working in the fields of adult and children s health and social care including: evidence-based treatment; clinical and social outcomes; and quality and cost-effectiveness evaluation. We are a new and fast-developing research unit, having been successful in winning competitive funds from a wide range of organisations including the uropean Commission, UK Research Councils, the National Institute of Health Research, the Health Foundation and a number of charitable trusts and private corporations. At present, CaHRU consists of nine core staff and seven doctoral students. Staff in CaHRU work across three research programmes: Quality and Outcomes in Primary Healthcare (QOPH), Prehospital mergency Quality and Outcomes (PQU) and Older People and well-being. We work in partnership with the different colleges of the University of Lincoln, International and National academic and policy research units. Funding for this post is available for 12 months in the first instance. Page 1 of 6
JOB PURPOS The Health conomist will be responsible for leading our programme of cost and costeffectiveness. S/he will be identify, measure, analyse and present costs and cost-effectiveness across a wide range of externally funded and collaborative research projects (e.g., ranging from large uropean Funded studies to single site National Institute of Health Research outcome studies). To support this activity, s/he will have robust experience of methods used to collect direct and indirect cost data; good understanding of different utility measures, health-related quality of life measures; and knowledge of appropriate analyses, e.g., modelling. S/he will also be required to use a number of cross-sectional and longitudinal datasets in any research, (e.g., Hospital pisode Statistics database, British Household Panel Survey, nglish Longitudinal Study of Ageing) KY RSPONSIBILITIS Responsibility 1 Use existing specialist knowledge to lead and undertake cost-effectiveness modelling (including quality of life measurements) and trial based cost-effectiveness analysis on behalf of and alongside colleagues based in CaHRU, our wider uropean and UK University programme partners. Responsibility 2 Lead appropriate modelling of large complex longitudinal datasets (e.g., 17 waves of the British Household Panel Survey) to support research projects and programmes. Responsibility 3 Prepare written research questions, appropriate methods and suggestions for dissemination outcomes to be included in new grant applications for international and national external funders (e.g, National Institute for Health, uropean funding, SRC and NIHR). Responsibility 4 Write (and publish) as lead or second author, health economics research papers in high impact peer reviewed journals. Responsibility 5 Advise CaHRU staff and partners (as necessary) on health economic techniques including data collection, data analysis and planning of service evaluation to ensure appropriate knowledge transfer and reporting. This will ensure a wider impact through the adoption of better and more appropriate health and social care service development and delivery. Responsibility 7 Identify, liaise and advise internal and external collaborators, and with colleagues in the School, participating in decision-makings as to future national and local health and social care policies (e.g., with Department of Health). Page 2 of 6
Responsibility 8 Participate in internal research activities, including seminars, research meetings and conferences. This will include giving presentations and training appropriate to the specific requirements of the different Schools (including Life Sciences, Sports Sciences, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics). Liaise and discuss core cost-effectiveness methods and approaches with senior staff. Responsibility 9 Undertake continuous professional development activities through attending appropriate courses, developing and liaising with appropriate network partners (e.g. Centre for Health conomics, University of York). In addition to the above, undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested and that are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post. Page 3 of 6
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Key working relationships/networks Internal xternal Director of CaHRU, CaHRU staff and doctoral students, principal and co-investigators, other academic staff within the School. Research Collaborators, Sponsors and Clients. For example, statutory bodies (Department of Health, National Ambulance Research, uropean Forum for Primary Care); collaborating University departments (ScHARR, University of Sheffield; Centre for Health conomics, University of York; St George s University, Manchester University etc.); and funding bodies (NIHR Research for Patient Benefit, NIHR Health Services and Development Research, FP7 uropean Funding). Page 4 of 6
UNIVRSITY OF LINCOLN PRSON SPCIFICATION JOB TITL Health conomist JOB NUMBR CSS006 Selection Criteria Qualifications: An MSc or equivalent in health economics or closely related discipline PhD or equivalent (good candidates may be accepted with a PhD pending, subject to publication record) or relevant experience in health economics or closely related discipline xperience: xperience in either applied health economics research or methodological development ssential () or Desirable (D) Where videnced Application (A) Interview (I) Presentation (P) References (R) A Research experience in the fields of health or social care Familiarity with analysis of large datasets xperience of evaluating models of health and/ or social care service delivery /P xpert knowledge of research design /P xperience of working in multi-disciplinary teams xperience on working on an international, multi-centre trial or epidemiological study Publications in internationally refereed journals on health economics or health care related subjects D D Awareness of key policy issues in UK healthcare D Skills and Knowledge: Development of models of economic evaluations Analysis of cost and outcome data alongside trials and evaluations Ability to advise on research design D Page 5 of 6
Knowledge of statistical packages and software packages commonly used in economic evaluations (e.g., STATA) Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software xcellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write reports and research outputs Ability to prioritise own workload and work to specified deadlines under pressure Ability to communicate complex subjects orally /P Ability to be creative with research ideas D Competencies and Personal Attributes: Flexible approach to workload I Ability to work on own and as part of a team I nthusiasm and commitment I ssential Requirements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job. Desirable Requirements are those which would be useful for the post holder to possess and will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements. Author Prof Niro Siriwardena HRBA HA Page 6 of 6