Research Associate in Biostatistics

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: 30 May 2024

The Role

We’re pleased to announce a new role based within Newcastle University’s Biostatistics Research Group (BRG, www.newcastle-biostatistics.com). Funding is available for a Research Associate to work on developing and applying innovative biostatistics methods to design rheumatology and musculoskeletal clinical trials. The postholder will have the opportunity to develop their own research projects for funding (for example through fellowships or project grant applications). 

The BRG is a dynamic group of 33 applied and methodological biostatisticians who work together to develop and implement state-of-the-art statistical methods in health research.  The role will be based in our offices on the University main campus. In alignment with Newcastle University's flexible working policies, this position allows for a blended working arrangement. You will have the opportunity to work from home for up to half of your working week, providing a balanced work environment.

We’re looking for an individual that has (or is soon to receive) a PhD in a statistical subject (equivalently, for candidates without a PhD, a period of relevant research experience together with a relevant masters). We are especially interested in individuals with research experience in methods for borrowing information from within or from outside a trial (e.g. for basket trials or using observational data to augment trials) but applications from applicants with other relevant research expertise is also welcome.

The role will report to Professor James Wason, who you will meet with regularly. You will also take part in regular team meetings and collaborate with individuals within and external to the group. There will be opportunities to get involved in supervision of PhD students and mentor more junior colleagues.

We are looking for an individual who is ambitious to achieve results, who works well with others and who is willing to be involved to maintain and improve our positive research culture.

This post is full time, fixed term for a period of 3 Years 

For informal enquiries contact: james.wason@newcastle.ac.uk

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/ 

Find out more about our Research Institutes here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/medical-sciences/research/institutes/

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles.  These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Key Accountabilities

•    Support the design and development of clinical trial proposals, working with a variety of collaborators in Newcastle and beyond
•    Develop and apply innovative biostatistics methods for improving the design of rheumatology and musculoskeletal clinical trials
•    Although working under the general guidance of an academic or Principal Investigator, the postholder will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of their studies, thus providing substantial 'added value' 
•    Develop and carry out the specified project using appropriate techniques and equipment as outlined in the personal requirements 
•    Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support where required
•    Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding (for example, through fellowships)
•    Begin to write, with appropriate support, proposals for individual research funding or, where funders do not permit this, contribute to the writing of collective bids
•    Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations
•    Contribute to the writing up of their research for publication and dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications
•    Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline
•    May be involved in the supervision, with guidance, of final year undergraduate research projects and in providing support to postgraduate research students or Research Assistants 
•    Will need to work with the support staff and, on occasions, with undergraduate and postgraduate students, and interact intellectually with other academic members of the Institute
•    May contribute to events celebrating the public engagement of science
•    Develop an awareness of University structures, policies and procedures and relevant issues in the higher education, research, social and political environment

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

•    Strong technical and methodological statistical skills applied to health research
•    Experience of programming in R or other statistical programming languages
•    Strong interpersonal, communication, and administrative skills
•    Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
•    High level of analytical and problem-solving capability 
•    Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment 
•    Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications 
Desirable
•    Experience in conducting and publishing statistical methodology research
•    Experience of being involved in applied health research as a statistician
•    Experience in conducting research, as evidenced by publications in high-quality peer-reviewed journals
•    Experience of implementing biostatistics methods in open-source software
•    Expertise with methods for borrowing information from within or outside the trial to improve efficiency

Attributes and Behaviour
•    Keen to help others and play role in positive research culture
•    Enthusiastic to grow and develop as a researcher
•    Follows-through on commitments and drives projects forward

Qualifications
•    Either: 1) Having a PhD with substantial statistical methodology research; or: 2) equivalent experience in research to a PhD
•    Masters level qualification in numerate degree 

Desirable
•    PhD in statistics or other quantitative subject with strong statistical component

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: 27047