Job Description
Job Title:  Research Associate in Health Economic Modelling
Posting Start Date:  06/03/2026
Job Id:  2275
School/Department:  School of Medicine & Population Health
Work Arrangement:  Full Time (Hybrid)
Contract Type:  Fixed-term
Salary per annum (£):  £38,784 - £47,389, with potential to progress to £51,753
Closing Date:  12/04/2026

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 in the School of Medicine  & Population Health is seeking to appoint a Research Associate in Health Economic Modelling. You will work on applied and methodological research  projects focussed on policies involving interventions affecting health, economic and wider societal outcomes across the lifecourse.  

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  public health and healthcare interventions, 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

 

  • Undertake research as part of multidisciplinary teams focused on Health  Economic Modelling working on the development and running of cost benefit analysis and microsimulation modelling to assess public health and healthcare interventions.  

  • Undertake methodological research in health economics and decision sciences.

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

  • 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. 

  • 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 University sustainability 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.

 

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Postgraduate qualification (Masters level or  equivalent experience) in a numerate subject e.g.  Economics, Health Economics, Epidemiology,  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, simulation or systems modelling, data science on health or healthcare, broader economics etc..

Essential 

Application  &  

Interview

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

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 or healthcare interventions.

Desirable 

Interview

Experience of using modelling software tools to  model systems e.g. R / Python / VBa / bespoke  microsimulation or other software packages.

Desirable 

Application  &  

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 communicate effectively in oral, written and  presentation modes in the academic and health policy  environments.

Essential 

Interview

Strong organisational skills to be able to manage  input into several research projects at the same time.

Essential 

Interview

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

2 years 

Start date: 1 April 2026

Line manager

Senior Research Fellow / Professor in Health Economics and Decision Science

Direct reports

None

Our website

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

For informal enquiries about this job contact:


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

  

Professor Tracey Young, Professor of Health Economics on t.a.young@sheffield.ac.uk 


Professor Hazel Squires, Professor of Health-Related Decision Modelling on h.squires@sheffield.ac.uk 

 

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 9 March 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 progressed to the selection stage during the week commencing 23 February 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).

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.

 

Closing Date : 12/04/2026 

 

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.

Disability Confident Leader