Job Description
Job Title:  Research Fellow in Public Health Economic Modelling
Posting Start Date:  11/04/2025
Job Id:  965
School/Department:  School of Medicine & Population Health
Work Arrangement:  Full Time (Hybrid)
Contract Type:  Fixed-term
Salary per annum (£):  £48,149 - £52,566
Closing Date:  05/05/2025

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

 

Overview
 

The Health Economics and Decision Science (HEDS) section within the School of Medicine & Population Health is seeking to appoint a Research Fellow in Public Health Economic Modelling. This role will involve working on both applied and methodological research projects on the evaluation of healthcare screening interventions to support the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC). The research team is at the cutting edge of public health economic modelling. The University supports fair employment processes, and we encourage individuals with a disability, neurodiverse condition, and ethnic minorities to apply for the position.

 

As part of the team, you will contribute to projects focused on modelling screening interventions and their evaluation, write proposals for future research and consultancy, disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications and academic conferences, and engage with policy, practice stakeholders, and the public. You will also have the opportunity to develop your own methodological research interests, contribute to the delivery of Masters-level teaching, and supervise postgraduate research students.

 

Candidates should possess a PhD or equivalent work experience in health economic modelling / decision science, and have an emerging track record of peer-reviewed publications and research impact. Ideally you should have experience in modelling screening interventions.

 

Main duties and responsibilities

 

  • Undertake research in the development and execution of modelling studies focused on screening, addressing the research needs and questions set by the UK NSC in England, as well as any other modelling and broader research projects.
  • Undertake methodological research in the area of public health economics and decision sciences.
  • Contribute to the design, development and writing of proposals for research and knowledge exchange projects as well as actively engage in funding acquisition
  • Undertake statistical analysis of datasets.
  • Disseminate research findings through publication in leading peer-reviewed health and medical journals and presenting papers at conferences.
  • Contribute to literature review, data analysis and elicitation processes to obtain model parameters.
  • Prepare research documents including research reports, project updates and briefing papers.
  • Communicate effectively with research partners and collaborators both within and outside the university including international collaborators.
  • Involvement in professional activities such as organising local research events.
  • Contribute to the Section’s teaching by delivering lectures and tutorials , external short courses and developing on-line teaching materials (if requested and if such opportunity becomes available).
  • 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.
  • As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the One University Strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
  • 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 belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, 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.

 

Essential criteria

 

  • A PhD in Health Economics (or equivalent research work experience) with focus on modelling (assessed at: application & interview).
  • Experience of using modelling software R and Excel for data analysis, visualisation, and/or modelling (assessed at: application & interview).
  • Capable of contributing to the design, development and writing of research and knowledge exchange proposals (assessed at: application & interview).
  • Ability to communicate effectively in oral, written and presentation modes in the academic and health policy environments (assessed at: application & interview).
  • Strong organisational skills to be able to manage input into several research projects at the same time (assessed at: interview).
  • Experience in use of data & evidence to populate a model e.g. by undertaking literature reviews, data analysis and elicitation (assessed at: interview).
  • Respect for confidentiality and awareness of ethical issues (assessed at: interview).

 

Desirable criteria

 

  • Experience of undertaking decision-analytic modelling for public health, ideally screening interventions and individual level modelling (assessed at: application & interview).
  • Experience of leading modelling projects, preferably for the UK decision bodies or funding agencies (assessed at: application & interview).

 

Further Information

Grade: 8

Salary: £48,149 to £52,566 per annum pro-rata

Work arrangement: Full-time (with a part-time option at 80% FTE), hybrid working (requiring 60% on campus working)

Duration: To start as soon as possible, until 31 March 2030

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

Dr Lena Mandrik, Senior Research Fellow: on o.mandrik@sheffield.ac.uk  

 

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on Wednesday 21 May 2025. This will consist of an interview with a 5 minute presentation and a test. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by week commencing Monday 12 May 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Lauren Hartley on 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).
 

What we offer

  • A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
  • Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
  • Generous pension scheme.
  • A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
  • A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
  • Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
  • A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
  • A range of generous family-friendly policies
    • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
    • support for those going through the menopause
    • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
    • and more


More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

 

We are a Disability Confident Employer. 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.

 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.