Research Associate

at  University of Glasgow

JOB PURPOSE

To make a leading contribution to the NIHR-funded OPTIMA project, “Orienting Policy Towards Inequality Minimising Actions (OPTIMA): A systems science approach to 20-minute neighbourhood policy and evaluation”.

Place-based interventions are increasingly of interest to policymakers attempting to tackle health inequalities (or, ‘Level Up’). Yet, the evidence base for these interventions to achieve this is insufficient. As is frequently the case, policy is having to move beyond the evidence-base to attempt solutions to large societal challenges, and more dynamic and forward-looking methods are required. This project will:

• Examine a large place-based intervention, the 20-minute neighbourhood in Scotland, set to impact on populations at scale, before costs have been fully sunk;
• Use cutting-edge data and dynamic, future-oriented system simulation methods to build on the current evidence, and draw on consistent and close stakeholder and public engagement to align evidence generation to evolving policy needs;
• Produce and communicate to stakeholders new health inequality-specific evidence for place-based interventions, and modelling and data assets that can be further built-upon as our understanding of the mechanisms and impacts continues to grow.

The successful candidate will lead on delivery of the modelling and data side of the project. You will:
1) Compile and link relevant geographical and population data and analyse clusters of ‘left-behind’ neighbourhoods (working with Prof Rich Mitchell, Dr Jon Olsen, and Dr Andreas Höhn);
2) Lead the creation of a UK wide ‘left-behind’ neighbourhoods report using outputs from point (1).
3) Incorporate this data, complemented by stakeholder input on system rules, into an agent-based model (working with Prof Alison Heppenstall and Dr Heeseo Rain Kwon) to simulate the impacts of alternative policy delivery scenarios on health inequalities.
You will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help shape and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow. You will be line managed by the project’s co-lead, Dr Jonathan Stokes.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Deal with a range of data, including undertaking data analytics, manipulation and linkage.
2. Take a leading role in the analysis and interpretation of secondary spatial data that will underpin an assessment of ‘left-behind’ neighbourhoods in the UK.
3. Develop individual-level models (agent-based modelling) to simulate impacts of place-based policies on individuals and on health inequalities.
4. Produce model outputs which include population level and spatial distributions of attributes to be used in policy appraisal.
5. Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.
6. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
7. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/ School/ Research Group, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
8. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
9. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
10. Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.
11. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. Academic and Industrial Partners).
12. Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.
13. Engage non-academic audiences in or with your research – as partners, participants, collaborators and research users.
14. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
15. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
16. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.
17. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.