Research Associate in Public Health and Labour Economic Modelling

University of Sheffield, United Kingdom

Updated: 2 days ago
Location: Sheffield, ENGLAND
Job Type: FullTime

Overview

The Health Economics and Decision Science (HEDS) section in the School of Medicine & Population Health is seeking to appoint two Research Associates in Public Health and Labour Economic Modelling. You will work on applied and methodological research projects focussed on policies involving interventions affecting both health and work outcomes and the interactions between them. 

The research team is at the forefront of public health economic microsimulation modelling. You will contribute to project work focussed on quantitative analyses of the interactions between work and health, writing future research proposals, dissemination of research findings through peer-reviewed publications, academic conferences and engagement with policy and practice stakeholders and the public. You will develop your methodological research interests, and could contribute to delivery of Masters level teaching, and supervising postgraduate research students. 

You should have a Masters and PhD, or equivalent work experience, in a relevant numerate subject, for example, mathematics, operational research, statistics or economics. Ideally, you should have an emerging track record of peer-reviewed publications and research impact.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Undertake research as part of multidisciplinary teams focused on Public Health and Labour Economic Modelling working on the development and implementation of statistical econometric models of the interactive causal effects between health and work, as well as cost benefit analysis and microsimulation modelling to assess health and workplace interventions. 

2. Undertake methodological research in health economics and decision sciences. 

3. Contribute to the design, development and writing of proposals for research and knowledge exchange projects.

4. Undertake statistical analysis of datasets.

5. Disseminate research findings through publication in leading peer-reviewed health and medical journals and presenting papers at conferences.

6. Contribute to literature review, data analysis and elicitation processes to obtain model parameters.

7. Prepare research documents including research reports, project updates and briefing papers.

8. Communicate effectively with research partners and collaborators both within and outside the university including international collaborators.

9. Involvement in professional activities such as organising local research events.

10. Contribute to the Section’s teaching by delivering lectures and tutorials, external short courses and developing on-line teaching materials.

11. You will 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.

12. As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.

13. Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

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 belongand is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role'scriteria, 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.


Criteria 


Essential or desirable


Stage(s) 

assessed


  • Postgraduate qualification (Masters level or equivalent experience) in a numerate subject e.g. Economics, Health Economics, Labour Economics, Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics, Data Science etc.

    • Essential

    Application & 

    Interview


  • A PhD (or equivalent research work experience) in a quantitative discipline related to the research programme e.g. health economics, labour economics, simulation or systems modelling, data science on health or work.

    • Essential

    Application & 

    Interview


  • Experience in use of data & evidence to populate and parameterise a model e.g. by undertaking literature reviews, data analysis and elicitation. 

    • Essential

    Interview


  • Experience of implementation of statistical econometric models of the interactive causal effects between exposures and outcomes e.g. health and work

    • Essential

    Interview


  • Capable of contributing to the design, development and writing of research and knowledge exchange proposals.

    • Essential

    Interview


  • Experience of undertaking decision-analytic modelling for public health interventions using modelling software tools to model systems e.g. R / Python / VBa / bespoke microsimulation or other software packages 

    • Desirable

    Interview


  • Good knowledge of statistical methods relating to the analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal datasets.

    • Desirable

    Interview


  • Publications in peer-reviewed journals. 

    • Desirable

    Interview


  • Experience of undergraduate, postgraduate or short course Teaching.

    • Desirable

    Interview


  • Ability to contribute effectively to projects through effective oral, written and presentation modes of communication in academic and health policy environments, strong organisational skills to manage input into several research projects at the same time and respect for confidentiality and awareness of ethical issues.

    • Essential

    Interview


    Further Information


    Grade 

    7


    Salary 

    £38,784 - £ 47,389 per annum, 

    with potential to progress to £ 51,753


    Work arrangement 

    Full-time 


    Duration 

    3 years 

    Start date: 1 May 2026 or soon after


    Line manager 

    Senior Research Fellow in Health Economics


    Direct reports 

    None


    Our website 

    https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/scharr


    For informal enquiries about this job contact 

    Alan Brennan, Professor of Health Economics & Decision Modelling on a.brennan@sheffield.ac.uk

    And / or 

    Dr Damon Morris, Research Fellow in Public Health Economics on d.j.morris@sheffield.ac.uk

    Both are co-applicants on the research grant funding this post.


    Next steps in the recruitment process

    It is anticipated that the selection process will take place during the week commencing 27 April 2026.

    This will consist of a presentation by the candidate on a topic relevant to the post, interview questions, and an aptitude test.

    We plan to let candidates know if they have been shortlisted before the end of the week commencing 20 April 2026.

    If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact … 

    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).


    We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). 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.


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