Research Associate in Environmental Epidemiology

The NIHR Leicester BRC is a partnership between the University of Leicester, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Loughborough University and the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group. It has been funded £26.1 million from December 2022 to November 2027 to carry out pioneering research into medical advancements into illnesses linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease and the consequences of inactivity will continue to push boundaries of knowledge in clinical medicine. Three new speciality areas have joined the NIHR Leicester BRC for the first time. Personalised cancer prevention and treatment, Environment – looking at how the environment impacts on long term health conditions and Using data to better understand multiple long term health conditions and factors specific to the health of ethnic minority populations. In addition, the respiratory speciality is joined by experts in infectious diseases.    

Our overall purpose is to translate scientific breakthroughs in these areas into diagnostic tests, preventions and life-saving treatments for our patients. We do this by creating a collaborative workspace that allows scientists and clinicians to share their findings and deliver research that is relevant to both patients and the professionals who treat them.  At Leicester BRC, we are committed to working with all experts, and the patient is the most important expert of all. A large group of local people interested in our work help us plan and deliver our research with insight into the experience of living with illness.  

We are seeking to appoint a talented and self-motivated researcher with experience and interest in environmental health science to join the thriving Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability (CEHS) at the University of Leicester and the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Environment theme.  The purpose of this role will be to support the BRC Environment theme in carrying out research in the field of environmental epidemiology. The post holder will predominantly lead on data analysis and prepare academic outputs relating to these analyses. The scopes of the analyses mainly focus on the health impacts from environmental exposures (e.g. air pollution, noise, chemical exposures etc) on populations drawn from large local and national population cohorts to study panels with personal exposure monitoring data in varying settings. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with members within and external to the CEHS and BRC teams, and will be encouraged and supported to develop their own personal area of research for further career progression.
 
 The University of Leicester prides itself on the diversity of its student population and on being an inclusive employer. We encourage applications from candidates who represent the diversity of our student population, local communities and wider society. In particular, we welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, as this is a staff group currently underrepresented in the University.
About you

To be the ideal candidate for this role you will have a PhD (or close to completion) in Epidemiology, Medical Statistics, Health Data Sciences or other relevant quantitative disciplines and previous experience in environmental epidemiology for example air pollution, noise or chemical impacts on human health. You will also be able to provide evidence of a contribution to peer-reviewed journal papers or equivalent such as, technical report/writing a piece of software. Additionally,  evidence of proven analytical problem solving capability is essential.
 
We are looking for someone with a proven ability to work in a multidisciplinary team with the willingness and ability to work with internal and external stakeholders. An individual with strong statistical skills with excellent communication skills – written and verbal evidenced by the ability to communicate complex information would be ideal and essential. You will also be required to provide evidence of continued development of subject expertise
 
Additional information

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Dr Hayley King on [email protected]

Applications for job share will be considered.
 


As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying. More information regarding secondments can be found here
 
The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change , which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world.
 
As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive.
 
We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.