JOB: 2 research posts at University of Bristol

Dear statisticians,
we are advertising two research posts for statistician with interests in evidence synthesis and advanced meta-analysis methods. The closing date for applications is 23.59pm on Monday 26 June 2017. The University of Bristol is committed to creating and sustaining a fully inclusive culture. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

Please see below for a summary of each position. For full details please see http://www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/ and search for the job number (ACAD102679 or ACAD102662).

Applications should be made through the University of Bristol recruitment system.

Name, tel no and email details for informal contact/s: Dr Sofia Dias, 0117 928 7245, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ACAD102679 Research Associate/Senior Research Associate (£32,004-£36,001 (Grade I) / £36,001-£40,523 (Grade J))

This post offers an excellent opportunity for a keen researcher with an interest in advanced meta-analysis methods to develop and apply advanced statistical models in a range of clinical areas with complex data structures and multiple outcomes.

The successful applicant will be part of a team developing novel statistical models for the joint synthesis of multiple, related outcomes and applying them to real examples. The post holder will contribute to high impact statistical methodological work and gain experience of a wide range of Bayesian methods for synthesis and their application to different clinical areas such as mental health, liver disease, women’s health and food availability.

The post holder will be working closely with staff from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidelines Technical Support Unit (TSU), which is part of the Multi-Parameter Evidence Synthesis research group in the School of Social and Community Medicine, where the post holder will be based (http://www.bristol.ac.uk/social-community-medicine/projects/mpes/nice/). Some of the examples used to apply the novel methods developed during this appointment will use data collected for NICE guidelines and these methods will in turn be used in future NICE guidelines. The post holder will co-author peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations and will receive training in network meta-analysis and Win/OpenBUGS, if required. There will also be opportunities for external training in statistical methods and software required for the role, as well as the possibility to continue wider training in epidemiology, statistics and research methods, by taking advantage of the highly regarded short course programme run by the School (http://www.bristol.ac.uk/social-community-medicine/shortcourse/).

It is expected that applicants will have a good honours degree (2.1 or equivalent) and a Masters degree or equivalent experience in statistics or other relevant discipline for appointment at Research Associate level, and a PhD or equivalent experience for appointment at Senior Research Associate level.

ACAD102662 Senior Research Associate (£36,001 - £40,523 per annum)

This post offers an excellent opportunity for a keen researcher with an interest in advanced meta-analysis and Bayesian evidence synthesis methods to work on a range of applied and methodological projects within the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidelines Technical Support Unit (TSU), at the University of Bristol (http://www.bristol.ac.uk/social-community-medicine/projects/mpes/).

You will work in collaboration with others to support the use of advanced evidence synthesis methods in NICE guidelines and develop new methods, as required.

You will contribute to high impact statistical methodological work and directly influence policy-making, by collaborating with NICE and the multi-disciplinary teams responsible for guideline development directly influencing policy, whilst gaining experience of a wide range of Bayesian methods and their application to different clinical areas.

There will also be opportunities for external training in statistical methods and software required for the role, as well as the possibility to continue wider training in epidemiology, statistics and research methods by taking advantage of the short courses run by the School (http://www.bristol.ac.uk/social-community-medicine/shortcourse).

It is expected that you will have a good honours degree (2.1 or equivalent) and a PhD or a Masters degree with sufficient experience in a relevant discipline.

You will join the TSU team at the University of Bristol, and be part of the Multi-Parameter Evidence Synthesis (MPES) research group (http://www.bristol.ac.uk/social-community-medicine/projects/mpes/) working with Dr Sofia Dias and Dr Nicky Welton and other members of the MPES team.

You will have interests and experience in some or all of: network meta-analysis; Bayesian methods using WinBUGS or similar software; statistical programming using R or similar software and will possess excellent writing and communication skills.

The post is for a full-time position, but part-time work will be considered.