Methodologist / Statistician sought by Bangor University

Position: Methodologist/Statistician - Postdoctoral Research Officer
Date Posted: 17th December 2013
Employer: Bangor University, School of Psychology
Salary: £30,728 p.a. (on Grade 7)
Location: Bangor, UK

We are seeking an exceptional candidate for the above full-time five-year postdoctoral career development post working on the Living Well with Dementia project conducted by the Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health (REACH) group within the School of Psychology, in collaboration with NWORTH, the Bangor clinical trials unit.
The Methodologist/Statistician, appointed as a postdoctoral research officer in both the School of Psychology and NWORTH, will combine interest in and knowledge of the fields of ageing and dementia with experience in methods of statistical analysis and modelling applicable to large longitudinal data sets, and will contribute methodological and statistical expertise to the project.
Candidates should be educated to PhD level in a relevant discipline, and must have experience with statistical modelling techniques including structural equation modelling as well as an interest in, and ideally research experience in, the fields of ageing and/or dementia.
The post will start on 20th January 2014 and will continue until 31st December 2018. The successful candidate will be expected to commence on, or as soon as possible after, the start date. Informal enquires can be made by contacting Dr Sharon Nelis, Research Fellow, e-mail: s.nelis@bangor.ac.uk, tel: +44 (0)1248 383600.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is not essential for this post. Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning +44 (0) 1248 383865.
Living Well with Dementia: Methodologist/Statistician (Research Officer Grade 7 point 30)
Overview
The Living Well with Dementia project is led by the Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health group in the School of Psychology and conducted in collaboration with NWORTH, the Bangor trials unit.
The project
Living Well with Dementia (the IDEAL study) is a major, five-year longitudinal cohort study of 1500 people with dementia and their family carers throughout the UK using mixed methods to examine how social and psychological capitals, assets and resources influence the possibility of living well with dementia and to identify changes that could result in improved well-being, life satisfaction and quality of life. The project is funded by ESRC/NIHR.
Purpose of the job
The Methodologist/Statistician, appointed as a postdoctoral research officer in both the School of Psychology and NWORTH, will combine knowledge of and interest in the fields of ageing and dementia with experience in methods of statistical analysis and modelling applicable to large longitudinal data sets, and will contribute methodological and statistical expertise to the project.
Main duties and responsibilities
Conduct analyses of cross-sectional and longitudinal data and contribute to interpretation of results
Contribute statistical expertise to systematic reviews involving meta-analysis
Advise research team members on statistical and methodological issues
Contribute to relevant work streams including those focused on data capture, data management and data analysis
Work closely with NWORTH staff involved in data capture and data management to ensure that these functions are optimised
Provide a key link with the team at LSE working on economic aspects of the data and help to ensure effective communication and optimal integration of these analyses
Contribute to training of research network staff who will be collecting data
Contribute to scientific publications arising from the study, and where appropriate lead on publications
Other duties and responsibilities
Work closely with the Project Manager and contribute as needed to ensuring effective study delivery
Contribute to effective integration of quantitative and qualitative findings, working closely with the team in Cardiff conducting the qualitative data collection and analysis
Support effective knowledge translation, for example by contributing presentations or written information
Contribute to supervision of research students attached to the project
Contribute to capacity building and support career development for more junior staff and students.
Contribute to providing teaching or training sessions, or presentations about aspects of the project, in response to requests made to the group.
Contribute to supporting the work of partner agencies as requested, for example by participating in peer-review.
Contribute to the wider Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health and NWORTH groups.
Engage in appropriate personal and professional development, and undertake appropriate further training as necessary, including engaging with the Royal Statistical Society’s continuing professional development pathway.
Person specification
Qualifications/training
Essential
Educated to PhD level in a relevant discipline
Experience / Knowledge
Essential
Expertise in statistical modelling techniques including structural equation modelling
Evidence of knowledge of, and interest in, the fields of ageing and/or dementia
Desirable
Research experience in the fields of ageing and/or dementia
Knowledge of existing evidence about quality of life and well-being in people with dementia and family carers, and of relevant theoretical frameworks
Knowledge of meta-analysis techniques
Some knowledge/understanding of qualitative research methods and analyses (to support integration of quantitative and qualitative findings)
Proven track record of publications in high-quality, high-impact journals
Evidence of the ability to produce material for publication promptly and to a high standard
Proven track record of effective oral presentations
Proven track record of communication of aspects of research to audiences with limited statistical or methodological knowledge
Understanding of the UK NHS context
Skills / Abilities
Essential
Exceptional accuracy, thoroughness, attention to detail, and organisational skills
Proactive approach to identifying and acting on opportunities and potential problems
Good interpersonal skills
Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide range of colleagues
Ability to work effectively as part of a team
Flexibility to adapt to differing needs and priorities at various stages of the project
Ability to enthuse and motivate others
Ability to communicate complex statistical and methodological information in a way that is comprehensible to those with more limited statistical knowledge, including lay audiences
Ability to write clear and grammatically-correct English
Good presentation skills
Well-developed computer/IT skills and familiarity with relevant data analysis software
Other
Essential
Strong commitment to the aims and ethos of the study
Strong motivation for personal career development in this field
Preparedness to travel to various locations in the UK as needed
Fluency in the English language
Desirable
Willing to support the career development of others