Research Assistant / Post-Doctoral Researcher, School of Public Health

4 Feb 2025
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University College Cork

Department

HR Research

Research Field

Medical sciences » Health sciences

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Positions

Postdoc Positions

Country

Ireland

Application Deadline

14 Feb 2025 - 12:00 (Europe/Dublin)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

21 months with the possibility of extending to 24 Months, 

Specific Purpose / Fixed-Term, Whole-Time Post

Position Summary

Applications are invited for the role of Research Assistant / Post-Doctoral Researcher within the School of Public Health. 

This position can be filled at Post-Doctoral or Research Assistant level, depending on qualification and experience of the successful candidate.

The successful candidate will work as part of the food policy research team on the European joint action PREVENTNCD (https://preventncd.eu/ ). A key objective is to tackle social inequalities by addressing the root causes of NCD risk factors and adopting a life-course approach. The project aims to build a comprehensive European infrastructure for monitoring factors related to cancer and other NCDs. This includes building on existing knowledge and exploring new methods for monitoring risk factors, disease burden, and the impact of policies and interventions. Specifically, we will focus on the work in Workpackage 5 (task 5.6)

Applications are invited by highly motivated and suitably qualified candidates for a 21- 24 Month/s whole-time Post-Doctoral Researcher, or experienced Research Assistant post in the Food Policy Research Team, Centre for Health and Diet Research in the School of Public Health, UCC. 

The successful candidate will be required to perform, coordinate and support research activities on a European Joint Action Project (JA PreventNCD) with a focus on strengthening action at national and EU level to reduce the exposure of harmful marketing of unhealthy food.   

The specific aims are: 

- to provide up-to-date evidence to promoting better informed decision-making; 

- to provide personalized support, tools and training for Member States to implement regulatory actions to restrict harmful marketing;

- to create awareness of harmful marketing among public and civil society. 

This post offers an exciting opportunity to join the Food Policy Research Team under the supervision of Dr Janas Harrington and to collaborate with European colleagues. 

Day-to-day activities include but are not limited to: 

· Conducting literature reviews and synthesizing scientific content. 

· Coordinating participant recruitment and data collection.

· Performing data analyses, interpreting results and presenting those data. 

· Contributing to scientific manuscripts, reports, and presentations.

· Identifying opportunities for knowledge exchange and dissemination to diverse 

audiences. 

· Leading or assisting with the planning and execution of workshops, seminars, 

meetings, and webinars. 

· Helping in the development of funding applications to address emergent research priorities.

This study will take a mixed methods approach. Experience in designing and analysing both qualitative and quantitative research studies is essential. 

Experience engaging in collaborative research with stakeholder groups including consumers, health professionals and/or policy makers is essential. The appointee will be expected to support Research Assistants and other junior members of the team. The successful candidate will report directly to and work closely with the Principal Investigator, Dr Janas Harrington. The successful candidate will interact regularly with expert collaborators. Additionally, the researcher will be encouraged to initiate and develop their own projects and will have the opportunity to travel to national scientific conferences to present research results. 

Applicants should hold a PhD degree in Public Health Nutrition or a related discipline. Experience in Food Policy research and a knowledge and understanding of the challenges related to creating and supporting healthier food environments would be desirable. The successful candidate will be expected to carry out research using a variety of methods and so should be proficient in collecting and analysing qualitative / quantitative data. Experience in mixed methods research would be desirable. Candidates must demonstrate strong organizational, planning, oral and written communication skills, scientific writing, and project management skills. The successful applicant must be a self-starter who is comfortable taking initiative and who can play a major role in completing.

Project Title: EU Joint Action PREVENTNCD

Post Duration: 21-24 months Whole-Time Post 

Salary: €31,962 - €41,943 per annum, IUA Research Assistant Scale / €44,847 - €51,313 per annum, IUA PD1

For an information package including further details of the post see https://ore.ucc.ie/ .   

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Janas Harrinton: j.harrington@ucc.ie

Where to apply

Website

https://ore.ucc.ie/

Requirements
Skills/Qualifications

Role Description: RESEARCH ASSISTANT 

This title will apply to a person of appropriate qualifications e.g., BSc or an MSc, employed on a contract for the purpose of assisting in the performance of research in the University.  A Research Assistant will usually work under the direction of one or more Principal Investigator’s/Senior Researchers within a dedicated laboratory on one or more research projects.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To work under the direction of the Principal Investigator/Project Leader.
• To provide assistance in conducting research activities, including planning, organizing, conducting, and communicating research studies within the overall scope of a research project. 
• To coordinate and perform a variety of independent and team activities involved in the collection, analysis, documentation and some interpretation of information/results.
• To undertake tasks which may include recording results and preparing technical reports including conclusions and recommendations.  To coordinate the development of forms, questionnaires and the application of qualitative and quantitative research techniques; write procedures manuals for data collection and coding. 
• To present information on research progress and outcomes to others responsible for the research project.
• To provide guidance as required to any support staff and/or research students assisting with the research project, as agreed with the Principal Investigator/Grant holder.
• Ideally to contribute to the publication of findings.
• To confer with the Principal Investigator in developing plans for research projects and to discuss the interpretation of results and the preparation of manuscripts for publication. 
• To perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

 

Role Description: POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCHER

The title of Post-Doctoral Researcher will apply to newly qualified Post-Doctoral Researchers and will be considered as a period of training as the researcher will have dual goals in terms of the research project and their own career development. The researcher will be mentored by a Principal Investigator (PI).  It is expected that a researcher would spend not more than 3 years at the Post Doctoral level, subject to the term of the project and would then be eligible to compete for a Senior Post Doctoral post advertised by the University.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary focus of the Postdoctoral Researcher will be research however a particular emphasis during this stage should include:

•        To conduct a specified programme of research under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator/Project Leader.

•        To engage in appropriate training and professional development opportunities as required by the Principal Investigator, School or College in order to develop research skills and competencies.

•        To gain experience in grant writing.

•        To engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which they are engaged, as directed by, with the support of and under the supervision of a Principal Investigator.

•        To become familiar with the publication process.

•        To acquire generic and transferable skills (including project management, business skills and postgraduate mentoring/supervision).

•        To engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of the research group, School or College.

•        To interact closely with postgraduate research students who are studying for a Masters or a PhD and possibly have an agreed role in supporting these students in their day to day research in conjunction with an academic supervisor.

•        To carry out administrative work to support the programme of research.

•        To carry out additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

•        To contribute to costing research grant proposals and assist in the financial management of a research project.

 

Health & Safety: In addition to the statutory safety duties of all employees (as prescribed in safety legislation and the relevant local safety statement) each staff member is responsible for:

•        Discharging any safety functions delegated to them by their Head of College \ School \ Department \ Centre \ Unit, in relation to the areas/ activities under their control

•        Co-operating and assisting the University and the Head of College \ School \ Department \ Centre \ Unit in the discharge of their statutory safety responsibilities

•        Ensuring that all work under their control, is undertaken safely and without risk to health and complies with the provision of all relevant statutory legislation

Note:  As the university continues to expand and evolve, it is likely that flexibility in regard to the allocation of specific duties will be necessary. Accordingly, the list of duties specified above is not intended to be exclusive or restrictive; duties may be added or withdrawn but any such alteration will take place after consultation with the appointee.

Specific Requirements

SELECTION CRITERIA: RESEARCH ASSISTANT 

 The successful candidate will be expected to have:

Essential Criteria

• A graduate qualification in a field of discipline relevant to the area of investigation i.e. BSc or MSc.
• Some research experience is desirable.
• Good report writing and presentation skills
• Good analytical skills and computer skills.
• An ability to work independently to a tight schedule.
• Capability of working effectively within a team to achieve results.
• Evidence of excellent organisational and communication skills.
• High levels of initiative are encouraged.
• Previous laboratory experience and practices are desired (if relevant).

 

SELECTION CRITERIA: POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCHER

The successful candidate will be expected to have:

Essential Criteria

•        A PhD qualification in a field or discipline relevant to Public Health/Public Health Nutrition is essential.

•        Appropriate research experience.

•        Appropriate technical competence and accomplishment.

•        A capability of working within a project team to achieve results.

•        Good communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.

•        A commitment to gaining practical experience working on a research project.

•        Ability to work well within a team.

 

Please note that Garda vetting and international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.

Candidates are requested to make a personal assessment of these criteria against their own qualifications, skills and abilities to assess whether they should apply for the post

Please note: Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the criteria as detailed above will not be short listed.

The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the process.

Languages

ENGLISH

Research Field

Medical sciences » Health sciences

Additional Information
Additional comments

Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal (https://ore.ucc.ie/ ). Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to recruitment@ucc.ie , quoting the job-title and project name.

Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) Friday, 14th February 2025

No late applications will be accepted.

Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector.

UCC is committed to creating and fully embracing an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated.  As a University we strive to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our student population where people from a wide variety of backgrounds learn from one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively. UCC is committed to being an employer that recognises the value of diversity amongst its staff.  We encourage applicants to consult our policies at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/policies/  and initiatives at https://www.ucc.ie/en/edi/implementation/  and we welcome applications from everyone, including those who are underrepresented in the protected characteristics set out in our Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University College Cork

Country

Ireland

State/Province

Cork

City

Cork

Geofield

Contact

City

Cork

Website

https://ore.ucc.ie/

Street

Western Road

E-Mail

j.harrington@ucc.ie

STATUS: EXPIRED

• X (formerly Twitter)
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Whatsapp
• 
  More share options
  • E-mail
  • Pocket
  • Viadeo
  • Gmail
  • Weibo
  • Blogger
  • Qzone
  • YahooMail