Royal College of Surgeons

Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher Fellow for Developing a model for integrating participatory approaches into population based health needs assessment in Ireland Department: Public Health and Epidemiology Reporting to: Prof. Debbi Stanistreet, Associate Professor of Public Health and Prof Diarmuid O'Donovan, Director of National Health Improvement in the HSE. Location: RCSI, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2 Contract/Duration: Fulltime, specified purpose contract for up to 24 Months Remuneration: Aligned to the IUA Post-Doctoral Researcher Salary Scale - starting at Point 4 PD1 up to a maximum of PD1 Point 5, dependent on skills and experience. Closing Date: 12th January 2025 Background to the research project New health regions have been formed in Ireland under the Slintecare reform programme, and as part of their implementation, Ireland will be moving towards a more population-based model of service planning for health needs. The HSE is developing a guide for Health Needs Assessment (HNA) that can be used to inform health needs planning at a regional level, but there is limited experience in incorporating community perspectives into HNA. This project will provide a vehicle for bringing community perspectives into health planning using methods that are feasible for the HSE going forward. This will enable the community voice to be incorporated into prioritisation and decision making in relation to health needs in a systematic way. The first stage of the project will involve a scoping review of methodologies used to incorporate community-based participatory approaches into Health Needs and Assets Assessment. In collaboration with the HSE. We will then identify and analyse relevant available secondary data sources available to inform an HNA, taking account of the different levels (local / regional / national) at which data analysis will be required. When the secondary data analysis is completed, and taking into account the findings of the scoping review, we will work with community members and organisations, Local Authority (LA) teams, and the HSE, to identify health and well-being priorities and community assets through community mapping, , and in-person workshops. Using a convergent mixed methods approach, we will then integrate the evidence from the secondary data analysis and the community workshops, comparing and contrasting community perspectives with those identified through secondary data analysis, and with HSE and DOH priorities. Finally, we will share the findings with relevant stakeholders and develop a model to support stakeholders in replicating the methodology going forward. Responsibilities of the Researcher: We are seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Fellow 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 a model for integrating participatory approaches into population based health needs assessment in Ireland. 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. The post-holder will need to be self-motivated, demonstrate initiative, and have proven ability to work independently and lead on literature reviewing, data collection and data analysis. They will be educated to post-doctorate level, with significant experience of qualitative research and will be a member of a multi-disciplinary team, based at RCSI. Specifically, the duties of the post are: Contribute to designing data collection tools and supervise the undertaking of all data collection in collaboration with the PIs. Summarise population level health data for a community audience Provide supervision to the research assistant as required throughout the project Lead on the analysis of qualitative data Contribute to communications with partners and key stakeholders including preparation of reports and deliverables related to her/his responsibilities Support the preparation for project management 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) Knowledge & Experience - (Essential): Evidence of conducting all aspects of qualitative research, from study design to data collection, analysis and publication of findings Experience in (or with) the health sector 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 organisational and administrative skills with the ability to prioritise 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 with health needs assessment Experience of working with local communities, with participatory methods, or with community development 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 About RCSI 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.