Health Services Researcher

The Post
Applications are invited for two Health Service Researchers (full or part time), to join a team led by Dr Erica Gadsby working on two Cancer Research UK funded projects for 18 months from May 2023. The projects are both collaborative ones, working with local NHS Boards, on breast cancer (NHS Forth Valley) and prostate cancer (NHS Fife) diagnostic pathways. The projects are independent from each other, but they will follow the same time-scale and general methodological approach. There is scope, therefore, for two researchers to work together across both projects, to enable mutual support and learning.

The successful applicants will manage the research part of one of the projects, working closely with their counterpart in the NHS who will manage the implementation part. They will be supported throughout by Dr Gadsby and a multi-disciplinary academic research team at University of Stirling. Key duties will be to work closely with our NHS colleagues on finalising the research methodology, approach and methods; plan and co-ordinate team meetings; co-ordinate health services data sharing with NHS partner; plan and conduct qualitative data collection and analysis; support the analysis of quantitative data; lead on report writing and dissemination activities.

You will have a relevant Doctorate or equivalent research work experience, together with a passion for improving health services and health outcomes, relevant experience of contributing and presenting to publications/presentations, and an ability to manage academic research and associated activities.

You will be based in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport at the University of Stirling.

The position is funded by Cancer Research UK, fixed-term for 18 months in the first instance, ideally beginning in May 2023. Full or part-time hours by negotiation.

Description of Duties
This role contributes to research project delivery of two specific 18-month projects funded by Cancer Research UK, conducted in collaboration with NHS Fife and NHS Forth Valley.  Each project is an evaluated ‘test of change’ to diagnostic pathways for patients with suspected prostate cancer (Fife) and for patients presenting to primary care with a breast lump (Forth Valley).

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage own academic research and administrative activities. This involves project management, to co-ordinate multiple aspects of project to meet deadlines
• Execute an evaluative study in conjunction with and support from the project team, which includes: working with a stakeholder and patient and public involvement group; refining an evaluation framework; developing data collection tools; conducting qualitative data collection using semi-structured interviews; accessing and analysing health services data and relevant documents/information; managing databases; analysing, synthesising and interpreting data and developing conclusions and recommendations as appropriate

Essential Criteria
Qualifications

• Educated to PhD level in a relevant subject area, or equivalent work experience in a role where you have been responsible for carrying out qualitative or mixed method health services research studies

Knowledge and experience

• Good knowledge of qualitative research methods, including data collection and analysis

For further information, including a full description of duties, essential criteria and details on how to apply, please see Vacancy details | About | University of Stirling

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