Post-doctoral Research Fellow

1.     Curriculum Vitae

·       Please note that you must hold a relevant PhD or have submitted your thesis for examination at the time of application. You must have been awarded your PhD by the time you start.

·       If you are a Clinician, please include the name of the Regulatory/professional body you are registered to and your Registration number.

·       If seeking a secondment: Please highlight any employment within health or social care organisation or HEI in the ARC Wessex region.

2.      Cover letter (on headed paper) including:

·       Reason for applying for the Post-Doctoral Award and why you believe you are on a trajectory to become a future health research leader (max 400 words).

·       What experience you have had to date in research and your continued commitment to a career as a researcher within your chosen theme* remit (max 400 words).

·       What skills and qualities you have which would make you suitable for the ARC Wessex Post-Doctoral Award? Can you demonstrate that you are on a trajectory to become a future health research leader (max 400 words).

·       A clearly articulated plan for how the Post-Doctoral award will support you to apply for future funding for research / personal fellowship within the remit of your chosen theme* (max 400 words).

·       Explain your choice(s) of mentor, training plan and commitment from your chosen theme*lead to support you in this through the duration of the Post–Doctoral Award, and how this training will benefit your chosen theme* remit (max 400 words).

·       Is there anything else you would like to add to support your application? (max 400 words).

3.     Letter of support from Line Manager: on headed paper. Only if seeking a secondment.

4.     Letter(s) of support from proposed research mentor(s) (on headed paper).

5.     Illustration of NIHR ARC Wessex Theme* alignment within your proposed project

·       Please explain how your proposed project will align with your chosen theme*.

·       If seeking a secondment: Your proposed project should also align with your health or care organisation/team or regional health and care priorities and needs.

If you are unsure how to approach this please contact us via arcwessex@soton.ac.uk for further advice.

Post title:

Post-doctoral Senior Research Fellow

School/Department:

NIHR ARC Wessex

Faculty:

Environmental and Life Sciences

Career Pathway:

Education, Research and Enterprise (ERE)

Level:

5

*ERE category:

Research pathway

Posts responsible to:

Jackie Bridges (ARC Wessex Ageing and Dementia Deputy Theme Lead)

Posts responsible for:

N/A

Post base:

Office-based (University of Southampton)

Job purpose

The ARC Wessex post-doctoral fellowship scheme draws on the research strengths of the ARC Wessex partnerships, and is designed to enable clinical academics and applied health researchers to develop a competitive application for an intermediate/ advanced fellowship or a competitive research grant as PI / CI leading a substantive work package. It is also expected that background research for this application will yield one or more peer reviewed publications in high quality journals that makes a potential contribution to future university submissions to the Research Excellence Framework.

Working on an agreed topic, the post-doctoral fellowship role provides post holders with protected research time to plan and deliver research in accordance with Ageing and Dementia theme of the Wessex ARC and undertake learning and development to enable academic career advancement. The opportunity is aimed at individuals who have the potential to become leaders in applied health or social care research and is intended to provide a platform that supports the preparation of applications to externally funded fellowships/mid-level awards.

Applicants will work on one of the following topics, as agreed at appointment:

·       Working with people living with a cognitive impairment to co-design and pilot an evidence-based intervention to promote patient involvement in decisions about hospital care

·       Implementing and evaluating person-centred care in care homes using a social citizenship approach

The post is available on a part-time basis and subject to the agreement of all parties involved may be suitable for a secondment. The post holder will work closely with the Ageing and Dementia deputy theme lead and project leads, fellow researchers, clinicians and subcontractors ensuring that the NIHR ARC Wessex research is properly conducted according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Research Governance Framework and that all personal or confidential data is appropriately managed according to UK General Data Protection Regulations and relevant guidance.

1.      

Plan and deliver high quality research within the Ageing & Dementia ARC Wessex theme geared towards developing and submitting an application for an externally funded fellowship or project, managing the research activity, supervising and taking responsibility for members of the research team where relevant.  

50%

2.      

Establish a national reputation by dissemination of findings and other scholarly outputs through leading peer-reviewed publications, presenting results at conferences, or exhibiting work at other appropriate events, including contributions to ARC Wessex stakeholder and career development events.

20%

3.      

Develop and execute a learning and development plan consistent with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework to enhance knowledge, skills and experience in chosen field of research and generic skills.

10%

4.      

Develop and engage in research methodologies that add to the knowledge/understanding of the ARC Wessex subject area/ applied health or social care research, provide expert advice in own subject area to other ARC Wessex members and Academy members. Support activities designed to enable the academic career development of ARC Wessex post-graduate students, interns and visiting researchers, for example supervision.

10 %

5.      

Carry out management and administrative tasks associated with specified research funding, including risk assessment of project activities, organisation of project meetings and documentation and preparation of annual reports.  To oversee and implement procedures required to ensure accurate and timely formal reporting and financial control. 

5%

6.      

Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by the

ARC Wessex deputy theme lead / project director.

5 %

Responsibility to ARC Wessex deputy theme lead / project director.

Responsibility for reporting and liaison to external funding bodies or sponsors. 

Coordinate the day-to-day activities with research and technician staff under the guidance of the ARC Wessex theme lead / project director.

Collaborators and colleagues in other work areas and at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

To be available to participate in fieldwork as required by the specified research project and to regularly attend NHS and/or care home sites to foster collaboration and joint working. 

To attend national and international conferences for the purpose of disseminating research results.

Criteria

Essential

Desirable

How to be assessed

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

PhD or equivalent professional qualifications and experience in a health services research or related discipline

Growing and consistent national reputation in applied ageing and/or dementia research with high relevance to one or more of the research topics planned for this post

Detailed knowledge and understanding of one or more of the specific research topics planned for this post

Ambition to develop a research career focused on relevant ageing and/or dementia care research

Track record of published research on a trajectory to become a future research leader

Excellent skills and significant experience in collaborative research with people living with a cognitive impairment

Direct experience of conducting research on one or more of the research topics planned for this post

Relevant national committee memberships

Planning and organising

Proven ability to organise a range of high-quality research activities to deadline and quality standards, ensuring plans complement broader research strategy

Ability to build a research team

Proven ability to develop innovative research proposals and attract research funding

Problem solving and initiative

Able to identify broad trends to assess deep-rooted and complex issues

Able to apply originality in modifying existing approaches to solve problems

Management and teamwork

Able to manage, motivate and coordinate the work of others, delegating effectively. 

Able to undertake coordinating role in School/Department/university

Able to monitor and manage resources and budgets

Work effectively in a team, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of others to help teamwork development

Able to monitor and manage resources and budgets

Communicating and influencing

Communicate new and complex information effectively, both verbally and in writing, engaging the interest and enthusiasm of the target audience

Track record of presenting research results at group meetings and conferences

Able to persuade and influence at all levels in order to foster and maintain relationships

Able to resolve tensions/difficulties as they arise

Able to provide expert guidance to colleagues in own team, other work areas and institutions to develop understanding and resolve complex problems

Other skills and behaviours

Compliance with relevant Health & Safety issues

Familiarity and compliance with the requirements of UK GDPR and research approvals requirements

Positive attitude to colleagues and students

Special requirements

Able to attend national and international conferences to present research results

☐ Yes

If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU), no further information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.

☒ No

If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of VDU) please complete the analysis below.

Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety of the post-holder.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

Occasionally

(<30% of time)

Frequently

(30-60% of time)

Constantly

(> 60% of time)

Outside work

Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)

## Potential for exposure to body fluids

## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)

## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes, biohazards). Specify below:

Frequent hand washing

Ionising radiation

EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED

## Food handling

## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)

## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)

## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

Load manual handling

Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping

Repetitive pulling/pushing

Repetitive lifting

Standing for prolonged periods

Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)

Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)

Gross motor grips

Repetitive reaching below shoulder height

Repetitive reaching at shoulder height

Repetitive reaching above shoulder height

PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES

Face to face contact with public

X

Lone working

X

## Shift work/night work/on call duties

Post title:

Post-doctoral Research Fellow

School/Department:

NIHR ARC Wessex

Faculty:

Environmental and Life Sciences

Career Pathway:

Education, Research and Enterprise (ERE)

Level:

4

*ERE category:

Research pathway

Posts responsible to:

Jackie Bridges (ARC Wessex Ageing and Dementia Deputy Theme Lead)

Posts responsible for:

N/A

Post base:

Office-based (University of Southampton)

Job purpose

The ARC Wessex post-doctoral fellowship scheme draws on the research strengths of the ARC Wessex partnerships, and is designed to enable clinical academics and applied health researchers to develop a competitive application for an intermediate/ advanced fellowship or a competitive research grant as PI / CI leading a substantive work package. It is also expected that background research for this application will yield one or more peer reviewed publications in high quality journals that makes a potential contribution to future university submissions to the Research Excellence Framework.

Working on an agreed topic, the post-doctoral fellowship role provides post holders with protected research time to plan and deliver research in accordance with Ageing and Dementia theme of the Wessex ARC and undertake learning and development to enable academic career advancement. The opportunity is aimed at individuals who have the potential to become leaders in applied health or social care research and is intended to provide a platform that supports the preparation of applications to externally funded fellowships/mid-level awards.

Applicants will work on one of the following topics, as agreed at appointment:

·       Working with people living with a cognitive impairment to co-design and pilot an evidence-based intervention to promote patient involvement in decisions about hospital care

·       Implementing and evaluating person-centred care in care homes using a social citizenship approach

The post is available on a part-time basis and subject to the agreement of all parties involved may be suitable for a secondment. The post holder will work closely with the Ageing and Dementia deputy theme lead and project leads, fellow researchers, clinicians and subcontractors ensuring that the NIHR ARC Wessex research is properly conducted according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Research Governance Framework and that all personal or confidential data is appropriately managed according to UK General Data Protection Regulations and relevant guidance.

1.      

Deliver high quality research within the Ageing & Dementia ARC Wessex theme geared towards developing and submitting an application for an externally funded fellowship or project.

50%

2.      

Regularly disseminate findings by taking the lead in preparing publication materials for referred journals, presenting results at conferences, or exhibiting work at other appropriate events, including contributions to ARC Wessex stakeholder and career development events.

20%

3.      

Develop and execute a learning and development plan consistent with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework to enhance knowledge, skills and experience in chosen field of research and generic skills.

10%

4.      

Contribute to the development of research methodologies that add to the knowledge/understanding of the ARC Wessex subject area/ applied health or social care research.  Share knowledge of own subject area with other ARC Wessex members and Academy members. Support activities designed to enable the academic career development of ARC Wessex post-graduate students, interns and visiting researchers, for example supervision.

10 %

5.      

Carry out administrative tasks associated with specified research funding, including risk assessment of project activities, organisation of project meetings and documentation and preparation of annual reports.  Implement procedures required to ensure accurate and timely formal reporting and financial control. 

5%

6.      

Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as directed by the

ARC Wessex deputy theme lead / project director.

5 %

Responsibility to ARC Wessex deputy theme lead / project director.

Responsibility for reporting and liaison to external funding bodies or sponsors. 

Coordinate the day-to-day activities with research and technician staff under the guidance of the ARC Wessex theme lead / project director.

Collaborators and colleagues in other work areas and at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

To be available to participate in fieldwork as required by the specified research project and to regularly attend NHS and/or care home sites to foster collaboration and joint working. 

To attend national and international conferences for the purpose of disseminating research results.

Criteria

Essential

Desirable

How to be assessed

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

PhD or equivalent professional qualifications and experience in a health services research or related discipline

Experience of applied ageing and/or dementia research relevant to one or more of the research topics planned for this post

Detailed knowledge and understanding of one or more of the specific research topics planned for this post

Ambition to develop a research career focused on relevant ageing and/or dementia care research

Excellent skills and experience in collaborative research with people living with a cognitive impairment

Track record of published research on a trajectory to become a future research leader

Direct experience of conducting research on one or more of the research topics planned for this post

Planning and organising

Able to organise own research activities to deadline and quality standards

Problem solving and initiative

Able to develop understanding of complex problems and apply in-depth knowledge to address them

Able to develop original techniques/methods

Management and teamwork

Able to supervise work of junior research staff, delegating effectively

Able to contribute to School/Department management and administrative processes

Work effectively in a team, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of others to help teamwork development

Communicating and influencing

Communicate new and complex information effectively, both verbally and in writing, engaging the interest and enthusiasm of the target audience

Able to present research results at group meetings and conferences

Able to write up research results for publication in leading peer-viewed journals

Work proactively with colleagues in other work areas/institutions, contributing specialist knowledge to achieve outcomes

Other skills and behaviours

Understanding of relevant Health & Safety issues

Familiarity and compliance with the requirements of UK GDPR and research approvals requirements

Positive attitude to colleagues and students

Special requirements

Able to attend national and international conferences to present research results

☐ Yes

If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU), no further information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.

☒ No

If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of VDU) please complete the analysis below.

Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety of the post-holder.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

Occasionally

(<30% of time)

Frequently

(30-60% of time)

Constantly

(> 60% of time)

Outside work

Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)

## Potential for exposure to body fluids

## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)

## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes, biohazards). Specify below:

Frequent hand washing

Ionising radiation

EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED

## Food handling

## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)

## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)

## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

Load manual handling

Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping

Repetitive pulling/pushing

Repetitive lifting

Standing for prolonged periods

Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)

Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)

Gross motor grips

Repetitive reaching below shoulder height

Repetitive reaching at shoulder height

Repetitive reaching above shoulder height

PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES

Face to face contact with public

X

Lone working

X

## Shift work/night work/on call duties