POSITION DETAILS

Department of Applied Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822
Grade: 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to August 2028
Closing date: 17th September 2025

BACKGROUND

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow in statistics, or a related field, to join our research team in the Department of Applied Health Sciences. The successful candidate will support quantitative research activities across a range of projects, with a particular focus on an NIHR-funded cluster randomised trial evaluating virtual wards compared to standard care for patients experiencing acute exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful applied health research and influence future models of care for people living with COPD.
The post holder will play a key role in supporting quantitative data analysis, including the development of statistical analysis plans, and interpretation in a cluster trial setting. There are also opportunities to work on related methods, including development of simulation-based analysis and computational methods. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including clinicians, epidemiologists, statisticians, and health economists. Your work will contribute to a better understanding of the effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and implementation of innovative care models such as virtual wards, which are increasingly being adopted across the NHS.
This role is particularly suited to candidates with a strong quantitative background. We welcome applicants with training in mathematics, statistics, health economics, or epidemiology, particularly those with good numeracy and a strong interest in applied health research. We do not require a previous background in randomised trials. Familiarity with statistical analysis software (e.g., STATA, R, SPSS) and experience working with health-related data will be advantageous. The ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks, and communicate findings clearly is essential.

ROLE SUMMARY

• Work within the NIHR-funded BRIDGE study and with its team of co-applicants and collaborators
• Support delivery of the NIHR-funded D-STRESS cluster randomised trial
• Develop statistical analysis plans and related statistical code
• Contribute to methodological work around cluster randomised trials
• Contribute to generating academic publications, and reports
• Contribute to public understanding of virtual wards, COPD, implementation research, and inequalities

MAIN DUTIES

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop and execute statistical analysis plans and related materials, including code, for cluster randomised trials.
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Deliver data analyses and support writing of research outputs for academic and lay audiences
• Disseminate research findings for publication, including research seminars and conferences
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing and evaluating new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding