Research Associate in Biostatistics (Trial Statistician)

​Salary: £34,866 to  £45,163  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: 05 January 2024

The Role

We are pleased to announce a new role based within Newcastle University’s Biostatistics Research Group (BRG, www.newcastle-biostatistics.com). The role will involve delivering high quality statistical input to clinical trials. The role will involve delivering high quality statistical input to clinical trials across a broad range of clinical areas. The postholder will have the opportunity to develop their own area of expertise and be involved in future applications for funding (e.g. project grant applications or fellowships). 

The BRG is a dynamic group of 31 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, you will have the opportunity to work from home for up to half of your working week, providing a balanced work environment.

We are looking for an individual that has (or is soon to receive) a PhD in a statistical subject or, for candidates without a PhD, experience of working as a statistician in medical research, e.g. as a research assistant. 

The role will report to Dr Holly Fisher, who you will meet with regularly. You will collaborate with individuals within and external to the group. The BRG works closely with Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit (NCTU), and this role will involve working with trial managers and data managers based there.

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 fixed term until 30 November 2027. We are open to applications from individuals who want to work part-time or full-time.

For informal enquiries contact: holly.fisher@newcastle.ac.uk

Interviews will be held Monday 20th-Tuesday 21st January 2025.

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

Role-specific accountabilities:

•    To provide statistical expertise and advice to investigators in the design, conduct and analysis of clinical trials•    To determine the appropriate statistical methods for use in clinical research and write statistical analysis plans, under the mentorship of more senior statistical colleagues•    To undertake statistical analyses and prepare reports for trial management group and oversight committees•    To comply with relevant regulatory requirements•    To liaise with project groups to provide statistical input to the preparation of papers for publication, or for presentation at conferences•    To undertake suitable activities to ensure their own professional development•    Contribute to the culture and general strengths of the BRG and Institute

Generic university research associate accountabilities:

•    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 •    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/social sciences/humanities•    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 

•    Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills•    Detailed subject knowledge in the area of research •    Advanced skills directly related to the research projects •    High level of analytical and problem-solving capability •    Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others •    Experience of research with clear transferable skills and some experience or awareness of the research environment •    Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications 

Role-specific criteria

•    Experience of programming in R, Stata, or other statistical programming languages

Desirable•    Experience of being involved in applied health research as a trial statistician•    Experience of teaching statistics

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

•    Having either 1) a PhD with substantial statistical content; or 2) masters level qualification with substantial statistical content and experience as a statistician in medical researchDesirable•    PhD in statistics in area relevant to clinical trials

 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: 27740

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