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 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
- Undertake research as part of multidisciplinary teams focused on Public Health and Labour Economic Modelling working on the development and running of cost-benefit analysis and microsimulation modelling to assess health and workplace 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.
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Criteria |
Essential or desirable |
Stage(s) assessed |
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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 |
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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 |
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Experience in use of data & evidence to populate parameterise a model e.g. by undertaking literature reviews, data analysis and elicitation. |
Essential |
Interview |
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Capable of contributing to the design, development and writing of research and knowledge exchange proposals. |
Essential |
Interview |
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Experience of undertaking decision-analytic modelling for public health interventions. |
Desirable |
Interview |
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Experience of using modelling software tools to model systems e.g. R / Python / VBa / bespoke microsimulation or other software packages. |
Desirable |
Application & Interview |
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Good knowledge of statistical methods relating to the analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal datasets. |
Desirable |
Interview |
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Publications in peer-reviewed journals. |
Desirable |
Interview |
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Experience of undergraduate, postgraduate or short course Teaching. |
Desirable |
Interview |
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Ability to communicate effectively in oral, written and presentation modes in the academic and health policy environments. |
Essential |
Interview |
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Strong organisational skills to be able to manage input into several research projects at the same time. |
Essential |
Interview |
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Respect for confidentiality and awareness of ethical issues. |
Essential |
Interview |
Further Information
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Grade |
7 |
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Salary |
£ 38,784 - £ 47,389 per annum, with potential to progress to £ 51,753 |
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Work arrangement |
Full-time |
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Duration |
2 years Start date: 1 April 2026 |
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Line manager |
Senior Research Fellow in Health Economics |
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Direct reports |
None |
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Our website |
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/scharr |
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For informal enquiries about this job contact Professor Alan Brennan, Professor of Health Economics & Decision Modelling on a.brennan@sheffield.ac.uk And / or Dr Damon Morris, Researcher in Public Health Economics on d.j.morris@sheffield.ac.uk Both are co-applicants on the research grant funding this post. |
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Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place during the week commencing 15 December 2025.
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 by the week commencing 8 December 2025.
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 : 05/01/2026
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.


