Senior Research Fellow

Job Description

"Before applying for this job, it is important that you read the Applicant Guidance by clicking on this linkand the Job Profile attached. These explain the job role and the type of person we're looking for".

Location:  Marischal College

Duration:  Fixed Term to 30 September 2027, Full Time

 

The Aberdeen Health Determinants Research Collaborative (AHDRC) is an initiative, funded initially for 5 years by the National Institute for Healthcare Research, with the aim of supporting Aberdeen City Council develop a research-led approach to help improve the health and well-being for Aberdeen’s communities. 

We will do this by working together with our partners including the University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon University, NHS-Grampian, Public Health Scotland, and our community partners and members of the public. These new posts will shape the establishment and operation of the AHDRC and will be central to its success.  They will be collaborating on a number of key workstreams including: 

·         commissioning and generating research
·         curating and translating research evidence to help inform decision making which supports people to be healthy post pandemic and through the challenges of the cost of living
·         creating a supportive and sustainable research and data environment·         enabling the spread of a research culture and skills
·         engaging with the people of Aberdeen to ensure they’re always at the heart of research and decision making.

You will be part of team which will helps shape and meet the research priorities which are most important to the people of Aberdeen, with the aim of reducing current and preventing future health inequalities. These might include food insecurity, fuel poverty, transport, education, housing or any of the other council responsibilities which can impact on people’s health. 

Like the rest of the UK, Aberdeen City faces challenges of economic change, the impacts of climate change, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis. However, we know that the city has the assets and potential to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities that these changes will present. The Aberdeen Health Determinants Research Collaborative will have a crucial role in ensuring that this is underpinned by the use of research and evidence, focussing particularly on improving the city’s health and reducing inequalities

Requirements

The post holder needs to hold as a minimum:

Post Graduate Degree at Masters’ (or equivalent) level qualification in a relevant subject (e.g. PhD in Public Health, Medical Sociology, Health Services Research), plus several years of relevant work experience that demonstrate the skills and capabilities to operate at this level

Responsibilities

The post holder is expected to demonstrate:

Skills & Experience in:

Essential

Excellent knowledge of a range of research methods relevant to the conduct of the AHDRC work programme

Effective team player and proven experience in leading research projects or managing the day-to-day aspects of research projects

Publication record and proven ability to leadthe writing of research outputs and scientific papers

Excellent communicationand writing skills including the ability to communicate complex research outputs to diverse audiences and stakeholders

Experience of disseminating research outputs to national and/or international audiences

Experience of preparing or contributing to research proposals to external funding bodies

Excellent analytical ability

Excellent problem-solvingand critical-thinking skills

Ability to supervise less-experienced research staff

Excellent time management and organisational skills

Excellent IT skills

Desirable/Willingness to develop

Experience of local government and community/strategic planning

Experience of involvement and engagement with patient partners and the public

Experience of working collaboratively with various stakeholders to identify areas for further research and develop new research methods

Relevant teaching experience

Experience of advanced statistical packages

Willingness to travel to attend meetings with collaborators and relevant stakeholders

Understanding of:

An evolving evidence synthesis landscape

Managing and understanding a demanding client base

Key drivers of the AHDRC, specifically the wider determinants of health

Commitment to:

Our Guiding Principles and associated behaviours

Our Leadership Behaviours

Develop new methods to deliver services in an innovative way

Equality, diversity, and inclusion principles in the workplace

The Individual

Please see Job Profile for further details

 

Aberdeen City Council is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Flexible Working

We are happy to talk flexible working and offer flexible working for most roles in the organisation meaning that many of our employees enjoy the freedom of choosing a working pattern that suits them as much as it suits the organisation.

Disability Confident

We are a Disability Confident Employer.  If you consider yourself to have a disability and think you may require a reasonable adjustment to be made for this part of the selection process, or would like further information in relation to reasonable adjustments, please contact AskHR@aberdeencity.gov.uk.

Armed Forces

We are a forces-friendly employer, have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a silver award recipient in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.  We have a specific email address for those in the forces, those who have left the forces, as well as their partners / spouses / families: armedforces@aberdeencity.gov.uk.  We are able to answer questions about jobs and our application / selection process, as well as about our employee support provisions.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

We have a number of guaranteed interview schemes available to applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our roles and who:

• have a disability
• are care-experienced and aged 16-29
• are aged 16-24 and live in Aberdeen City or have been to an Aberdeen City Council school and are applying for a Modern Apprenticeship (except Trades apprenticeships)
• have done a Foundation Apprenticeship with Aberdeen City Council and are applying for any apprenticeships relevant to the area in which they did their Foundation Apprenticeship
• are New Scots aged 16-24 and are applying for any apprenticeships

Further information can be found at https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/jobs