Postdoctoral Fellow (Qualitative methods)

Job Title: Postdoctoral Fellow Department: Physiotherapy Reporting to: Prof Helen French, Associate Professor Location: 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2 Contract/Duration: Specified Purpose Contract for up to 2 years Remuneration: Up to Point 1 on the IUA experienced postdoctoral researcher salary (Level 2) scale (depending on skills and experience) Proposed Start Date: 13th January 2025 Closing Date: 5pm on Monday 9th December RCSI is a community of academic, research, clinical and professional staff working collaboratively to lead the world to better health. Here, you will thrive in an innovative and inclusive atmosphere and your personal development and wellbeing will be supported. We invite you to join us to help deliver on our exciting mission "To educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health". We seek candidates whose experience to date has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to the "Race Equality Action Plan 2021-2024" at RCSI. Our students come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. This makes our university stronger and ensures we hire the best talent. Innovating for a Healthier Future 2023-2027 is RCSI's new five-year strategic plan. Through it, RCSI will enhance human health by meeting the health workforce needs of society, creating the insights and inventions that drive health improvements, and working in partnership with patients and the public in support of better health and well-being for all. The strategy unites the RCSI community in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals - with a particular focus on Goal 3, which targets good health and well-being. For each of the last six years, RCSI has been positioned in the Top 300 of universities worldwide in the Times Higher World University Rankings. We are proud that RCSI ranks fifth in the world for "Good Health and Well-being" in the Times Higher Education #SDG #SDG Impact Rankings 2024. This reflects our commitment to supporting people of all ages to live healthy lives and our work to promote the concepts of well-being and positive health. Our values of Respect, Collaboration, Scholarship and Innovation continue to unite and direct our purpose. About Our Research RCSI recognises that excellence in research is critical to the quality of its educational activities, its credibility, and, overall, to its mission to enhance human health. RCSI's research strategy aims to build upon its strength in translational biomedical and clinical research to deliver transformational, high impact changes in health care. Targeting both Irish national and EU funding, along with increased collaboration with industry, is a major part of the RCSI research strategy. Forging increased collaboration between RCSI PIs and industry is of critical importance to achieving success in this area. RCSI is also committed to provide its researchers with the supports and developmental opportunities to enable them to continuously grow and support their overall career development. Summary of Post This project is a Health Research Board (HRB) /Department of Health funded Evidence for Policy project, which was awarded to Prof Helen French, Associate Professor in Physiotherapy ( who is the Principal Investigator on this project and is supported by a multidisciplinary research team. The aims of the project are to (1) measure the impact of Advanced Practice roles for Health & Social Care Professionals (HSCP), including on access to care and the patient journey at this interface between primary and secondary care, and (2) generate evidence on the barriers and enablers for implementing and scaling further reforms. Quantitative methods (prospective observational study) Qualitative methods (individual semi-structured and focus group interviews) Two Postdoctoral Fellows will be employed on this project. One will focus on the qualitative methods (this post) and the second will focus on the quantitative methods, but both will work collaboratively across the different project work streams. Specifically, the duties of the post are: Work with the Principal Investigator (PI), another post-doctoral researcher and the research team to ensure the project deliverables are met Develop Standard Operating Procedures Co-ordinate and liaise with key stakeholders in the trial Screen and recruit study participants Arrange and conduct semi-structured interviews Conduct and analyse qualitative interviews Development of qualitative analysis plans Prepare research ethics applications Administrative tasks such as setting up team meetings, setting agenda and taking minutes; preparing trial briefing reports on a regular basis. Assist in the preparation of documentation related to regulatory requirements for the conduct of the study Assist in the dissemination of research findings to scientific and lay audiences Academic supervision of students and staff as required Engage in performance development and participate in training and development programmes. Other such duties, including teaching, as may be assigned from time to time Report directly to the PI Qualifications - (Essential): PhD in research-based field (e.g. medicine, health and social care professionals, nursing, social science) Knowledge & Experience - (Essential): Research experience in the health or social care sector Experience of conducting qualitative research Strong project planning, organisational and administrative skills with the ability to prioritise objectives and produce results Attention to detail and an ability to work to deadlines Ability to work well independently and collaboratively as part of a team Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills Demonstrated proficiency in scientific writing Demonstrated proficiency in data analysis and use of statistical software Provision of a personal statement of interest in this particular research training opportunity addressing the criteria outlined above Knowledge of implementation science Some knowledge of advanced practice in healthcare Experience of conducting qualitative research Established track record of publication in international journals in a relevant field We are all too aware that imposter syndrome and the confidence gap can sometimes stop fantastic candidates putting themselves forward, so please do submit an application - we'd love to hear from you. Application Process Please apply online through the RCSI careers portal on the closing date with your CV and cover letter. Informal Enquiries can be directed to Prof Helen French at . Please note we do not accept CVs directly. Employee benefits At RCSI, we help care for our people so they can focus on our mission to educate, nurture, and discover for the benefit of human health. RCSI make sure you have the resources you need to thrive. We offer a wide range of benefits in areas including time away, finance, community, health, and well-being and insuring your financial future. In addition to our city centre campus and world-class facilities, there are a wide range of excellent benefits available to our employees, including: Onsite gym €10 per month Flexible working arrangements Automatic enrolment to a pension scheme for all employees (Willis Towers Watson, pension documents outlined below) RCSI Investment Guide Pension Scheme Guide Benefits Schedule Life assurance/death in service Long term illness/disability income replacement Free advice on health/motor and home insurance Discounted services, including GP Support for parents and carers Taxsaver commuter tickets BiketoWork Free eye test at the National Optometry centre €12/day for parking for all RSCI staff in the St. Stephens green/RCSI car park RCSI's Learning and Development team facilitate and provide training opportunities for all staff Sports and social club Opportunities to volunteer in the community 26.5 days leave - 20 days annual leave plus 6.5 days Privilege days - In addition to your annual leave entitlements and public holidays, RCSI also grants privilege days to our employees (paid time off during Easter and Christmas periods). We also offer a number of leave options to support the working lives of our employees. Paid maternity leave Paid Paternity leave Parental leave Note: This job description may be subject to change to reflect the evolving requirements of the Department and RCSI. Similar vacancies that arise in the next 6 months may be filled from the pool of applicants that apply for this position. RCSI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability or race. RCSI is committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across everything we do. This ensures we can all work and learn in an environment defined by dignity and respect. Eligibility to work in Ireland is a requirement of this role, Proof of eligibility documentation will be required at a later date. Under limited and specific circumstances (research/ specialist roles) RCSI may be in a position to seek a hosting agreement and/or work permits. Employees are required to undertake 6 months service in their current role before applying for other internal opportunities, unless agreed in advance by the SMT representative