Job Purpose

The Project - You will contribute to a UKRI funded project PHI-UKPolicy Modelling for Health. Policy Modelling for Health is a large research programme that brings together scientists, policymakers, and charities interested in using economic policies to improve people's health. We particularly want to improve the health of people who experience disadvantage or discrimination in their lives, as they tend to spend much more of their lives in poor health and also die younger, and the situation has got worse over the past decade.

Local and national governments make decisions on various economic policies, such as changes to taxes, welfare, job creation, and social housing. These policies have long-term effects on people's health, as they influence important aspects of healthy living, like having enough money, good work, decent housing, safe neighbourhoods, and supportive communities. In Policy Modelling for Health, we want to help policymakers, charity organisations and communities themselves understand how these policies affect people differently, based on characteristics like gender, income, and where they live. Our research would show whether planned new policies are likely to support long and healthy lives for everyone, or whether they would make inequalities worse.

Our programme has three work areas:

Computer modelling for Health,

Policy and Advocacy Engagement

Citizen's Engagement and Democratisation of Modelling.

For further information on these work areas - please see additional information here

The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

The Role - You will be working with Dr Corinna Elsenbroich on developing and coordinating training, capacity building and dissemination of the methods and approaches developed and used in the project. Examples of those are causal inference modelling, synthetic populations and microsimulation. You will work across an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary team involving economists, social and political scientists, public health researchers, geographers, engineers and policy researchers and decision makers.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal/Co Investigator:

1.            Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.

2.            Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

3.            Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of the School of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

4.            Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

5.            Contribute to the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.

6.            Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/ group/ meetings/ seminars/ workshops across the research Project and wider community.

7.            Contribute to the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.

8.            Carry out modest Teaching activities [e.g. demonstrating etc.] and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.

9.            Engage non-academic audiences in or with your research – as partners, participants, collaborators and research users.

10.         Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.

11.         Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

12.         Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

13.         Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

For appointment at grade 7: 

14. Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, funding, collaborating and publishing research, and mentoring colleagues.

15 Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area.

16. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 SCQF Level 10 [Honours degree] in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent

A2 Understanding of quantitative social research.

A3 comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider determinants of health, in particular economic determinants of health.

For appointment at grade 7: 

Essential:

A4 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) with at least 2 years’ post-doctoral experience in a similar or related role(s) or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience.

A5 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within public health research, with a specific focus on health inequalities

A6 Knowledge of computational social science in particular microsimulation modelling.

Desirable

B1 An awarded [or recently submitted or near completion] PhD in subject specialism or equivalent

For appointment at Grade 7: 

Desirable

B2 Understanding of social simulation methods, in particular microsimulation.

Skills 

Essential

C1 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate

C2 Excellent communication skills [oral and written], including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely

C3 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach

C4 Appropriate workload/time/project management skills

C5 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate

C6 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

C7 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approaches

Experience

Essential

E1 Sufficient relevant research experience [or equivalent] appropriate to an early career researcher

E2 Experience of scientific writing

E3 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

E4 Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field

For appointment at grade 7:

Essential.

E5 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.

E6 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.

E7 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.

E8 Experience in undertaking independent research.

Desirable

F1 Experience of interdisciplinary working.

For informal enquiries regarding this post, please contact Dr Corinna Elsenbroich Corinna.Elsenbroich@glasgow.ac.uk 

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6/7, £33,482- £37,174/£40,497- £45,413 per annum 

This post is full time (part time may be considered) and has funding for 3 years.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

Closing date  11 April 2025 at 23:45