Research Assistant in Evidence Synthesis

Job Description

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

 

Overview

 

The Division of Population Health in the School of Medicine and Population Health is seeking to appoint a Research Assistant in Evidence Synthesis to provide support to and development of the Division's Evidence Synthesis group for the National Institute for Health Research (EnSygN Sheffield). Evidence Synthesis Groups are funded for five years by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to provide on demand evidence syntheses to meet NIHR and health service priorities.

 

Your role will include systematic reviewing, development of review protocols, leading or contributing to multidisciplinary project teams, development of evidence synthesis methodologies, dissemination of findings in peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences, and undertaking teaching and supervision. You will also be given opportunities to contribute to grant applications for research and knowledge exchange funding. 

 

Ideally, you should have a postgraduate qualification and/or relevant experience involving evidence synthesis methodologies (systematic review, rapid review etc), as well as a working knowledge of appropriate software such as Microsoft Office and Endnote. As part of our ongoing capacity development we are particularly interested in reviewers with backgrounds in social care, statistics and information science although candidates with other strong evidence synthesis skills are welcomed.

 

A key feature of this post is the opportunity to access a formal evidence synthesis development programme to allow the postholder to progress towards an excellent all-round understanding of evidence synthesis, together with the opportunity to specialise in areas of synthesis strengths. Development will take the form of mentoring, shadowing, attendance at the Division's evidence synthesis short courses and methodology projects. 

  

Main duties and responsibilities

 

Working under the supervision of a senior researcher, you will be expected to participate in a variety of activities such as: 

  • Contribute to high-quality systematic reviews to inform national policy in health-related research.
  • Contribute to teams undertaking evidence syntheses for clients including, primarily the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) but also the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), industry, and other organisations.
  • Work closely with wider members of the research team including information specialists, health economic modellers and statisticians.
  • Disseminate research findings through contributing to publications for peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and international conferences or seminars.
  • Contribute to grant proposals for research and knowledge exchange projects.
  • Contribute to methodological research in evidence synthesis.
  • Contribute to the Division's teaching programme, including delivering lectures, tutorials and short courses, developing online teaching materials, and supervising students.
  • Lead or contribute to project teams to undertake high-quality work to an agreed deadline.
  • Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

 

Planning and Organising

  • Plan for your contribution to the project in conjunction with project colleagues, up to one year ahead, incorporating issues such as the availability of resources and overall research aims.
  • Work alongside members of the research group to deliver research objectives.
  • Plan several months in advance and manage own workload to meet agreed project deadlines.
  • Make a full and active contribution to the principles of the Sheffield Academic'. These include the achievement of excellence in applied teaching and research, and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University's achievements as a whole.
  • As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your orkinwg activities wherever possible.

 

Person Specification

 

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

 

Essential criteria

 

  • Bachelor's degree or Master's in health-related research (or equivalent experience) (assessed at: application form)
  • Experience of undertaking one or more systematic reviews and evidence synthesis (assessed at: application form)
  • Good IT skills and experience in the use of relevant software such as Microsoft Office Programs (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and Endnote (assessed at: application form/interview)
  • Excellent ability to write clear and concise reports (assessed at: application form /interview)
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (assessed at: interview)
  • Ability to work productively and effectively within a multidisciplinary team (assessed at: interview)
  • Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise, work to deadlines and with close attention to detail (assessed at: application form/interview)
  • Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving (assessed at: interview)
  • Respect for confidentiality and careful data management (assessed at: application/interview)
  • A willingness to undertake professional development and attend relevant formal training courses (assessed at: interview)

 

Desirable criteria

 

  • Experience of designing and developing review protocols (assessed at: application/interview)
  • A qualification or relevant experience in social care, statistics or information science (assessed at: application form)

 

Further Information

Grade: 6

Duration: Fixed term until 31st March 2028

Line manager: Senior Research Fellow in HEDS (Health Economics and Decision Science)

Direct reports: Not applicable

Our website: https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/ensygn-sheffield

 

For informal enquiries about this job contact Elizabeth Goyder, Professor of Public Health on e.goyder@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 0783 .

 

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 13 March 2025. This will consist of a 40 minute interview including a five minute presentation.

 

We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by the week commencing 3 March. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Emma Bennett at dph-section-operations@sheffield.ac.uk .

 

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
 

What we offer

  • A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
  • Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
  • Generous pension scheme.
  • A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
  • A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks).
  • Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
  • A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
  • A range of generous family-friendly policies
    • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
    • support for those going through the menopause
    • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
    • and more


More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

 

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision ( www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision ) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.