Research Associate/Senior Research Associate in Quantitative Research & Evidence Synthesis (Maternity Cover)

The role

We are seeking to appoint a talented researcher with expertise in medical statistics and evidence synthesis, and strong data analysis skills. The post will be based in the University of Bristol and split equally between:

• the NIHR Evidence Synthesis Group (Bristol ESG); and
• the NIHR ARC West (National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration West).

Within the Bristol ESG the you will work on evidence synthesis projects commissioned by NIHR. Within the ARC West you may work on applied data science or evidence synthesis projects.  The post is full-time (35 hrs per week) until 31 March 2026 or the return of the post holder from maternity cover, and starting in May 2025 or as soon as possible. A job share arrangement with two part-time (50% FTE) post holders, one based in ARC West and the other in Bristol ESG would also be considered.  Hybrid working is available but you will be expected in the office approximately 2-3 days per week.

What will you be doing?

You will be performing meta-analysis, meta-regression, network meta-analysis and other statistical evidence syntheses across a wide range of topics, which may include clinical, social care and public health areas and may include meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy in addition to more familiar meta-analysis of effect sizes. You will extract, check and/or manipulate statistical data from published research studies, compile tables, graphs and reports for allocated projects. In ARC West you may be involved in developing code lists, completing ethics and data access applications, information governance for routinely collected datasets, preparation of datasets, writing statistical analysis plans and study protocols, performing quantitative analyses using appropriate statistical software, interpreting the data, and writing up the findings for publications.

You should apply if

You have a demonstrable interest in and enthusiasm for evidence synthesis, medical statistics, data science or epidemiology. A desire to contribute to a variety of different types of systematic reviews is essential; experience in quantitative evidence synthesis (e.g. meta-analysis, meta-regression, network meta-analysis and other statistical evidence syntheses) is highly desirable. You will have experience in quantitative analytical methods applied to health research, competence with using statistical software (e.g., Stata, R), and willing to develop skills in advanced statistical methods. You should have a higher degree in a relevant discipline. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team and with stakeholders.

Additional information

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Jelena Savović (Jelena.savovic@bristol.ac.uk) / 0117 3421243 or +44 117 455 9180

Contract type: Fixed-term maternity cover until 31/03/2026 or the earlier return of the post holder

Work pattern: Full time (Part-time and job share will be considered)

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 04/06/2025

For informal queries please contact: Dr Jelena Savović (Jelena.savovic@bristol.ac.uk), 0117 3421243 or +44 117 455 9180

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

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