Postdoctoral Researcher or Senior Postdoctoral Researcher

Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher or Senior Postdoctoral Researcher

Department: Health Psychology

Reporting to: Professor Frank Doyle

Location: School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Beaux Lane House, Dublin 2

Contract/Duration: 24 months

Remuneration: Aligned to the IUA Senior Postdoctoral Researcher Salary Scale Commensurate with Experience

Closing Date: 30th January 2024

About the School of Population Health

Established in 2022, the School of Population Health (SPH) builds on existing strengths at RCSI in behavioural science for population health, analytic and population health sciences. 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 and SPHeRE (Structured Population health, Policy and Health-services Research Education - national doctoral programme). It currently includes over 100 academic, research and professional staff, as well as 40 PhD scholars. Population health scientists and researchers at RCSI have an impressive, multi-year track record undertaking impactful multi-disciplinary research and collaborating with an extensive network of international and national partners.

Summary of Post

We have a full-time post-doctoral position at RCSI, suitable for a health services researcher, psychologist, sociologist, social scientist, anthropologist or related discipline. The successful candidate will be employed on a Health Services Executive Tobacco Free Ireland Programme-funded research collaborative agreement, which will explore how to manage clients who vape and those who both smoke and vape (dual-users), how to design acceptable incentives for vaping cessation, and how to model impact at a population level. The present position has a qualitative focus, with the successful candidate joining a team including one other postdoctoral researcher (quantitative focus) and a research assistant on the VAPE-INTERVENE study.

The position is based in the Department of Health Psychology, RCSI, Dublin 2, but remote working will be considered for some of the duties.

Specifically, the duties of the post are:

1. Obtain relevant approvals for the studies
2. Conduct a rapid review and desk review of vaping/recreational nicotine use and dual-use addiction treatment options provided internationally, including barriers/facilitators of intervention implementation
3. Conduct qualitative interviews with clients and providers to determine current practices in managing and supporting these types of clients, reasons for initiation and motivation to quit, attitudes to financial incentives
4. Conduct a co-design and feasibility study evaluation of an intervention for vaping/recreational nicotine use and dual-users
5. Qualitatively explore policy options with stakeholders
6. Co-ordination of own day-to-day work to support ongoing projects
7. Facilitating communication and dissemination of information required, including conference presentations, reports, social media, authored peer-reviewed articles, etc.
8. Liaising with the Principal Investigator, colleagues and stakeholders on matters relating to these and future projects
9. Undertaking duties assigned by the Principal Investigator or his/her nominee in support of the project

Qualifications - (Essential):

1. A PhD degree or equivalent in health services research, psychology, sociology or related discipline.

Knowledge & Experience - (Essential):

1. Qualitative or mixed methods experience
2. Evidence of the ability to work independently and efficiently, including excellent oral and written communication skills.
3. Excellent organisational, interpersonal, report writing and IT skills.

Knowledge & Experience (Desirable):

1. Basic quantitative skills
2. Project management experience
3. Evidence of experience with public-patient involvement and stakeholder engagement
4. Track record in scientific publication and dissemination
5. Experience of working in a multidisciplinary research team.
6. Experience of a broad group of stakeholders
7. Experience of health services 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 Professor Frank Doyle. Please note we do not accept CVs directly.

Employee Benefits

RCSI make sure you have the resources you need to thrive by offering a wide range of benefits in areas including time away, finance, community, health, and well-being and insuring your financial future.

• Minimum of 20 days annual leave, plus an additional 6.5 Privilege days
• Flexible/hybrid working options for colleagues across many roles
• Additional leave options incl. paid maternity leave, paternity/parental leave, study leave
• 7% Employer pension contribution
• Onsite gym €10 per/mth incl. classes and PT sessions
• Childcare support 20% discount at Giraffe
• Free eye test and annual flu vaccination
• TaxSaver commuter tickets and Bike to Work schemes
• A site sustainability team focusing on the environmental initiatives; Green Campus Initiative
• Competitively priced café and restaurant
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion forums, and network groups
• Employee assistance programme with Spectrum Life
• Learning and Development training programmes incl. LinkedIn Learning for career progression
• Discounted services incl. GP visits, 10% off dental, staff parking, mobile tariffs, Group Scheme discount on numerous brands
• Sports and social club incl. yoga, Pilates, fitness classes, Zumba, running club, social evenings, Summer BBQ
• Ticket Draws for events including; Rugby, Taste of Dublin, Dublin Horse Show, theatre, music & comedy events