Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,942 to £40,322, with potential progression once in post to £42,792 a year.

Grade 7

Full Time / Fixed Term Contract for up to 4 years

Background

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and capable researcher to work on the (WISE) Wellbeing Investments in Schools and Employers study. This will be a 4 year Wellcome Trust funded project led by Prof Hareth Al-Janabi. The post-holder will be based in the Health Economics Unit in the Institute of Applied Health Research.

The WISE study seeks to establish how schools and workplaces invest resources in mental wellbeing. Investments may include specific ‘interventions’, as well as staffing, culture, and infrastructure. The study will generate models of decision-making processes, establish how schools and workplaces can be best supported to make equitable and efficient decisions, and develop new research methods for studying investment decisions in organisations.

The post-holder will be one of two research fellows in the study team, with specific responsibility for the ’evidence’ work package. They will develop relationships with schools, employers, and policy-makers, conduct in-depth primary and secondary research, and play an important role in ensuring the programme delivers research advances.

Summary of Role

Lead the ‘evidence’ work package of the WISE study, investigating the current and potential role of evidence in informing wellbeing investments in schools and workplaces. This role comprises:

• Undertaking all aspects of the research, including study design, data collection, data analysis, and presentation;
• Undertaking supervision, administration, management and communication for the wider WISE project;
• Contributing to teaching and research in the wider Institute;

This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career researcher to be involved in delivering an innovative Wellcome Trust-funded grant on mental wellbeing investments. It offers the post-holder the chance to apply (and further develop) qualitative and policy research skills in an environment where they will be well-supported with training and development opportunities.

The successful candidate will have:

• A PhD (or near to completion), or equivalent experience, in a social science or policy discipline;
• A record of research output, appropriate to career stage, with potential to publish in leading international journals;
• An interest in health, economics, and public policy;
• An aptitude to apply techniques relevant to the work package (cognitive interviews, focus groups, document analysis);
• The ability to communicate complex information clearly;
• Strong organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines;
• Experience of developing new research ideas, with an aptitude for developing new models and methodologies that will advance discipline;
• The ability to work effectively within a team and develop networks with non-academic organisations;
• A willingness to undertake training and play a full role in the project team and wider research environment;

Informal enquiries regarding this post are welcome and may be made to Professor Hareth Al-Janabi h.aljanabi@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the Apply Online button on the original listing or visit https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/jobs/index.aspx Please quote Job Ref 97069 in all enquiries.

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