Research Associate - Behavioural And Social Science

Salary: £33,966 to £44,263 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 06 April 2024
The Role
Applications are invited for a talented and ambitious Research Associate to join us as we move into our second five year term of the NIHR Policy Research Unit - Behavioural and Social Sciences , directed by Professors Falko Sniehotta and Emily Oliver.
Policy Research Units (PRUs) work closely with national government departments, and stakeholders, to inform and support decision making concerning health and Social care policy. The unit is hosted by Newcastle University and comprises leading academics across an additional four institutions at University College London, Warwick University, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and University of Bedfordshire, providing an unrivalled opportunity for collaboration and support.
The role provide an outstanding opportunity for candidates to develop their skills, knowledge and reputation as an international thought leader in the application of the Behavioural and Social Sciences to policy.
Required skills will include: knowledge of a diverse range of research methods; high-level quantitative and/or qualitative data collection and analysis skills; the ability to publish work in high quality peer reviewed journals; the confidence to engage with collaborators at all levels of seniority, across different regions and sectors of the public health and health care system; an ability to support and mentor earlier career colleagues, and a willingness to work with research partners across multiple universities.
You will have experience of using a range of methodological approaches (including conducting systematic reviews) and experience of applying behavioural science to a range of contexts.
This is a full time (37 hours per week), fixed term until 31 December 2028
For informal enquiries, please contact Lesley.Hall@ncl.ac.uk
The BehSocSci PRU is based within Newcastle University’s Population Health Sciences Institute and is committed to supporting equality and diversity for all staff and students. Applications for part time/flexible working will be considered; please state your desired working arrangements in your application.
Key Accountabilities To apply behavioural science knowledge, theory and methods to all stages of the research process To develop research protocols, gain ethics approvals, set up and manage effective study procedures To undertake large-scale, high standard, systematic reviews, in particular, using behavioural theory and frameworks to synthesise evidence and identify the active components of interventions To collect data using interviews, focus groups and observation, and analyse qualitative interview data using theoretical frameworks To conduct quantitative surveys and experimental studies, and conduct and report multivariate statistical analyses on individual level and summary data To manage multiple projects and datasets, and plan and coordinate meetings associated with the research To contribute to rapid response mode projects as required To prepare progress reports and policy briefs as required and identify research priorities for the PRU Behavioural and Social Sciences work packages To write journal articles for publication in high quality, peer review journals and to give presentations to policy makers, other stakeholders and to scientific audiences To contribute to the general running of the PRU, and any other additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post
You will also contribute to the following: Co-production approaches to defining policy problems for projects Helping to organise and deliver knowledge exchange and engagement events, including developing and leading workshops for the Department of Health and Social Care People exchange, including supervising and supporting practitioners who will work within the PRU Dissemination and briefings
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Experience of applying behavioural science methods, techniques, theories and frameworks to research on human behaviour
Experience of conducting at least two of the following: theory-based qualitative and/or quantitative research, experimental studies, systematic reviews/evidence synthesis
Experience of successful multidisciplinary collaborative research, including with non-academic stakeholders
Able to organise own activities efficiently and to a high standard
Attention to detail in following procedures and day-to-day coordination of projects
Able to take the initiative to ensure the efficient and timely completion of projects and to identify relevant theoretical and methodological issues that need to be addressed
Able to work well with academic and non-academic colleagues as required in person and remotely across sites
Experience of presenting and communicating research to non-academic audiences
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
A proven record of peer-reviewed outputs
Desirable
Experience of applied health services research
Developing and evaluating interventions to change behaviour
Knowledge and experience of behavioural economics
Economic analysis
Attributes and Behaviour
An ability to travel to meetings and events outside of Newcastle University in other centres of this and other PRUs and to the DHSC
Commitment to integrating research and practice
Commitment to Newcastle University Equality Strategy
Understanding of relevant Health & Safety and ethical issues
Flexibility with approach to work and the willingness to travel
Qualifications
PhD in a behavioural science or related area exploring behaviour change
An undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as behaviour change, health psychology, public health, health sciences, or Social Sciences.
Desirable
Master’s degree in an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject such as behaviour change, health psychology, public health, health sciences, or Social Sciences.
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 26565