Research Assistant/Associate - Health and Social Care Policy (Dementia and Neurodegeneration)

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Salary
Research Assistant: £32,546 to £34,132 per annum.
Research Associate: £35,116 to £45,413  per annum.

The Role
Your research Assistant/Associate role, with a strong background in quantitative analyses and evidence synthesis to contribute to a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Policy Research Unit in Dementia and Neurodegeneration, led by the University of Exeter (https://denpruexeter.nihr.ac.uk).

This is an opportunity for an experienced researcher to apply and grow their quantitative skills applied to public health and neurodegenerative diseases.

We are particularly keen to recruit someone who can lead and support quantitative analyses, systematic and rapid reviews, peer-reviewed publications, and other forms of dissemination, including presenting to policy makers, practitioners and lay audiences. Some understanding of more qualitative work, which would be relevant for reviews, would also be beneficial.

The focus will be on using cohort or routine health and care data (such as the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and hospital data) for health and social care policy, and to support or lead reviews (including rapid, scoping, systematic and umbrellas), and help or lead consultations with stakeholders and people with lived experience.

The research will be responsive to local and national health and social care policy priorities. Therefore, the ability to apply the right data and quantitative methods will be essential. Contributing to public & patient involvement and engagement (PPIE), and student supervision will be encouraged.

Experience and competence in using R or Stata or other software is essential, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills and a PhD (for Associate level). The ability to handle, and analyse large, complex routine healthcare data, applying appropriate statistical methods will be essential. The role will involve activities such as: data approval and acquisition, data preparation, programming, statistical/epidemiological analysis, reviewing and dissemination.

There will be opportunities to engage with stakeholders in policy organisations, local authorities and voluntary sector. The role and research environment are highly suited to career development opportunities.

The Policy Research Unit (PRU) in Dementia and Neurodegeneration (DenPRU Exeter) links policy makers in the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) with top academics in their field who can offer advice and respond flexibly as priorities change. This Unit provides research evidence to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and related bodies to inform policy on dementia and neurodegeneration. The PRU has two key elements: (i) a planned programme of research (ii) facility to provide rapid responses to requests from the DHSC and related bodies. The team is led by Professor Linda Clare from University of Exeter and consists of senior academics from five Universities: Exeter, Bradford, LSE, Newcastle, and New South Wales.

You will work closely with the PRU leadership team at Newcastle University, including Professor Matthew Prina and Professor Dame Louise Robinson, other team members outside of Newcastle, and contribute to the management of the wider programme of work and support the planning and coordination of activities.

This is a full time, fixed-term post until 31 December 2026 ( start date from 1 November 2025).

For informal inquiries please contact matthew.prina@newcastle.ac.uk.

Interviews expected the week of the 11th of August.

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