Postdoctoral Researcher on Mitigating Air Pollution

Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher on Mitigating Air Pollution (MAP) Impact Project Department: Public Health and Epidemiology Reporting to: Prof. Debbi Stanistreet, Associate Professor of Public Health Location: RCSI, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2 Contract/Duration: Specified Purpose, full- time (36 Months) Remuneration: Post-Doctoral Researcher Salary Scale - starting at Point 4 PD1 up to a maximum of PD1 Point pa) Closing Date: 17th January 2025 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. School of Population Health Established in 2022, the School builds upon the success of the Division of Population Health Sciences since 2006. The School comprises the Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Department of Health Psychology, Data Science Centre, Healthcare Outcomes Research Centre, Institute of Global Surgery, Converge and SPHeRE, the national, inter-institutional, structured doctoral programme. It includes over 100 academic, research and professional staff, as well as 25 PhD scholars. Population health scientists and researchers at RCSI have an impressive, track record undertaking impactful multidisciplinary research and collaborating with an extensive network of international and national partners. The aims of the School of Population Health are to undertake multidisciplinary research that guides, shapes and monitors the crucial decisions in population health; to deliver comprehensive educational programmes that meet the workforce needs of today and the innovative needs of the future; and to participate in synergistic networks and collaborations that strengthen infrastructure, capacity and financing for education and research. Reflecting the breadth of population health science, we adopt a balanced, multi-disciplinary approach, connecting and contributing to developments in population health, nationally and internationally. The key enabler in delivering our ambitious programme of growth is the School's multidisciplinary team of academics, researchers, scholars and support staff. Reflecting the people-first approach of RCSI, the School of Population Health provides a diverse, supportive, healthy work environment for its team. Background to the research project: The World Health Organization has identified air pollution as one of the greatest environmental risks to health. Reducing the impact of air pollution on health is therefore a global priority and it is vital that effective policy is implemented to address the health impacts, in order to reduce morbidity, healthcare costs and premature death. Compounding the need for immediate action is a recent EPA report, showing Ireland being considerably behind on all EU greenhouse gas targets, with the current trajectory suggesting we won't meet the EU enforced targets by 2030. The overall concept behind this project is underpinned by a public health approach to air pollution mitigation and adaptation. A public health approach enables consideration of equity, from a policy perspective. Disadvantaged communities are often the most exposed to air pollution, often living in travel corridors into and out of a city, and using more polluting forms of fuel for heating their homes. Reviewing policy in the light of equity considerations will not only ensure that risk is reduced for the most disadvantaged but will also be more likely to lead to engagement of these communities in subsequent behavior change, as well as help to inform the development of communication strategies. The synthesis of best international evidence on air pollution mitigation and adaptation, will inform policy and practice in an Irish context and ensure that proposed policies and practices are based on the best available evidence. In addition, the link between air pollution and health is often overlooked since air pollution cannot be seen, and it is complex to measure and understand individual health risk. Making the relationship between air pollution and health tangible at a local level, by demonstrating impact on hospitalisations, is an effective means of emphasising the relationship between air pollution and health and will contribute to behaviour change at all levels as well as providing information on who is most at risk. Our global evidence-informed and local data-driven approach will inform our collaborations with key stakeholders in Ireland. All main stakeholders, including Local Authorities, Government Departments, the Health Service Executive (HSE), the National Health Intelligence Unit (NIHU), and Irish Doctors for the Environment, Asthma Society Ireland, the Irish Heart Foundation, and other NGOs, will be invited to contribute to a review of policy and practice through policy dialogue workshops. This will ensure that multiple perspectives are represented in the final project outcome. Responsibilities of the Researcher: We are seeking to recruit a post-doctoral researcher with excellent skills in mixed methods. The principal responsibilities of the post will be to work with the PI and the Co PI, to develop, review and synthesize the evidence surrounding effective air pollution mitigation strategies implemented across the globe, aimed at reducing the impact of air pollution on health. Additionally, the post will involve translation of evidence into plausible recommendations for Irish policy. The post holder will work as a part of a project team including two PIs, and second post-doc and research assistants. Throughout the course of the project the post-holder may be asked to aid in areas such as data cleaning or basic quantitative analysis. The post-holder will support the two PIs in undertaking all necessary activities, and will participate in data collection, analysis, write up and publication of findings, supported by a research assistant. Additionally the post-holder will write reports to be presented to stakeholders in lay terms forming the central points of two in person stakeholder workshops. The post-holder will need to be self-motivated, demonstrate initiative, and have proven ability to work independently and lead on literature reviewing, and evidence synthesis with a focus on translation towards health policy. They will be educated to post-doctorate level, with significant experience of mixed-methods research and will be a member of a multi-disciplinary team, based at RCSI. Specifically, the duties of the post are: Creation of a search & review strategy to identify air pollution related policies and/or interventions implemented and reported worldwide Synthesize and write up the review exploring the effectiveness of public health interventions on reducing the impact of air pollution on health Translate outputs into policy recommendations Map national and local air pollution mitigation and adaptation strategies shared findings with stakeholders Work with stakeholders to review current policies against best evidence, Contribute to communications with partners and key stakeholders including preparation of reports and deliverables related to her/his responsibilities Support the preparation for research team and steering group meetings Contribute to writing high quality scientific papers Represent the best interests of the SHCP and RCSI at all times Perform such other duties as may be required. Qualifications - (Essential): PhD level qualification in a related field (social science, public health, or relevant fields) First degree in a relevant field Knowledge & Experience - (Essential): Experience with qualitative and review methodologies. Basic quantitative analysis skills Computer skills including use of all standard packages including Excel Scientific writing skills and experience, with track record of publications Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills Strong organizational and administrative skills with the ability to prioritize objectives and work to deadlines The ability to work on own initiative as well as in a team environment Flexibility to work irregular hours on occasion Ability to work in a multicultural environment Knowledge & Experience - (Desirable): Experience in (or with) the health sector Previous experience with evidence synthesis and translational research 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 . 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