Health Services Researcher

Health Services Researcher (Ref: 146647)

Evidence Directorate: Research and Information Service (RIS)/Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG)

2 x Permanent posts (full time) with SAPG and RIS

2 x Fixed term/Secondment posts with RIS: 1.0 WTE for 6 months and 0.7 WTE until end March 2024

£46,244 - £53,789 per annum (Band 7), Full-time 37.5 hours per week

Edinburgh or Glasgow - hybrid working will apply for the foreseeable future.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) is an organisation with many parts and one purpose – better quality health and social care for everyone in Scotland. The purpose of the HIS Evidence Directorate is to provide evidence to improve health and care services for the people of Scotland.

We are seeking to appoint a number of Health Services Researchers to the Evidence Directorate - 2.7 WTE within the Research and Information Service (RIS) and 1.0 WTE within the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG). There is flexibility for both part- and full-time positions. The posts can be based in either Glasgow or Edinburgh; however, hybrid working will apply for the foreseeable future.

RIS provides health service research, scientific advice and information science expertise. Through identifying, appraising and synthesising evidence, it delivers and supports innovation, research and best practice in the development, mobilisation and delivery of HIS evidence outputs. RIS collaborates with external and internal stakeholders, to establish supportive relationships and ongoing mutual working arrangements with wider organisational teams, other researchers and information scientists. RIS works closely with the Scottish Health Technologies Groups (SHTG) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).

SAPG is a multidisciplinary group that works with NHS boards and across health and care settings to promote the safe and effective use of antibiotics. SAPG works closely with NHS National Services Scotland (NSS), NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and Antimicrobial Management Teams in regional health boards to deliver its work. SAPG promotes a One Health approach to the appropriate use of antibiotics in humans, animals and in the environment.

The post-holder will require to have a degree in a numerate, social science or biomedical discipline and a masters degree in in a relevant subject, such as public health, health services research, social research, or health care science. Specialist knowledge of one or more areas of research methodology is required, such as the analysis and use of quantitative data, critical appraisal or qualitative research. The post-holder requires a good understanding of a wide range of other health services research skills, including qualitative research methods, questionnaire development, statistical analysis and epidemiology.

Strong conceptual and analytical skills, a demonstrable ability to analyse and synthesise complex technical data and information, as well as highly developed IT skills are required. The post holder will need to possess highly developed skills in written and oral communication, project management, problem solving and organisation. Very well developed and collaborative team working skills are required as well as the ability to work flexibly, deal with and prioritise a varied and demanding workload. The following would also be desirable: previous clinical experience, experience of writing papers for publication, and undertaking systematic reviews of published evidence.

The post-holder may also be required to undertake rapid review and topic scoping work, to support the wider Evidence directorate work within HIS. We are looking for someone who can bring relevant knowledge and experience and who can make an immediate contribution to the work of the RIS and SAPG teams.

For further information, or to arrange an informal conversation about the respective posts, please contact Fran Kerr, SAPG Project Lead– frances.kerr@nhs.scot or Dr Heather Gray, Lead Health Service Researcher, RIS - heather.gray4@nhs.scot

Closing date: Midnight, 8 May 2023

We anticipate that Interviews will take place end of May/beginning of June via MS Teams.