1 Research Associate in Obesity and Cancer Risk
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UCL RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HEALTH CARE RESEARCH ASSOCIATE IN OBESITY AND CANCER RISK INTRODUCTION An experienced epidemiological researcher is required to investigate associations between obesity and cancer risk using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing ELSA. The post is located in the Health and Social Research Group in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, but will involve working closely with the Health Behaviour Research Centre. This post is funded for 12 months in the first instance Applicants should have a very strong academic background, skills and experience of analysing longitudinal cohort data, knowledge of the epidemiology of cancer, and excellent writing skills. Ability to contribute to statistical teaching and support would be an advantage. 1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION 1.1 The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing ELSA is a multi-disciplinary study of health, economic position, and social participation in a representative cohort of older men and women living in England. It is the only study of its kind in the UK and is unique in its depth of coverage of health, economic, psychological and social factors. ELSA researchers work within a multidisciplinary team spread over four institutions: UCL, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), the University of Manchester, and the Institute for Fiscal studies (IFS), and have close links with other ageing cohorts across the world, including HRS and SHARE. 1.2 The Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health The Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health is chaired by Professor Richard Watt, and houses roughly 180 staff across eleven research groups: namely; the Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre (including Weight Concern), Central and Eastern Europe Research, Clinical Epidemiology, Dental Public Health, Genetic Epidemiology, Health and Social Surveys Research, Institute of Health Equity, International Centre for Life Course Studies in Society and Health, Leonard Cheshire Disability and Inclusive Development Centre, Psychobiology and Whitehall II Study. For an outline of current research projects in the Department please visit our website at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/epidemiology/. The Department offers an extensive graduate taught programme and provides a significant contribution to undergraduate teaching, as well as running several seminar series which all members of staff are encouraged to attend. 1.3. Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care 1 The Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care at UCL is part of the Faculty of Population Health Sciences within the UCL School of Life and Medical Sciences. It comprises six Research Departments - each of which is based at one or more sites across the UCL estate - as follows: CHIME http://www.chime.ucl.ac.uk Epidemiology and Public Health http://www.ucl.ac.uk/epidemiology/ Infection and Population Health http://www.ucl.ac.uk/iph/ Primary Care and Population Health http://www.ucl.ac.uk/pcph/ Department of Applied Health Research http://www.ucl.ac.uk/dahr/ MRC Lifelong Health & Ageing Unit at UCL http://www.nshd.mrc.ac.uk/ The Institute has an internationally competitive research programme focused on: • Understanding the determinants of health and disease across the life-course in populations and in patients in clinical settings, including the investigation of genetic, biological, behavioural, psychosocial and cultural processes; • Evaluating strategies for the prevention and treatment of physical and mental ill-health; • Monitoring and surveillance of health and health care nationally and internationally; • Carrying out innovative work on behaviour change and on the practice of primary care; • Developing and implementing new technologies in teaching and research in population health; • Teaching and capacity building in population health research and practice. • Applied health and health policy research The staff of the Institute is multidisciplinary, with expertise across the in clinical, public health, and primary care medicine, epidemiology, medical statistics, health psychology, sociology, health economics, public policy, information technology, genetics, physiology, and improvement science. As an Institute we have strong national and international interdisciplinary collaborations with a large portfolio of international research linked to the UCL Global Health Initiative. The Institute offers world-class education and training in a wide range of subjects including contributions to all years of the MBBS curriculum and an extensive portfolio of post graduate taught and research programmes. The Institute Director is Professor Andrew Steptoe Further information on IEHC can be found at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/iehc/ 2. DUTIES OF THE POST Accountable to: Professor Andrew Steptoe, Director of the ELSA Group The post demands a strong quantitative research background and a keen interest in cancer; including ideally some knowledge of the links with obesity and weight change. Applicants must have a background in epidemiology and a sound understanding of behavioural, psychosocial, and environmental influences on cancer risk, experience of large longitudinal datasets, and strong statistical analysis skills. A combination of technical aptitude and good interpersonal skills is required, as is the ability to negotiate and co-ordinate with other organisations involved in the project. The ability to work effectively in a team and to deadlines, accuracy and an eye for detail, and self-motivation and initiative are all essential qualities. Based at: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1 Key working relationships: Professor Andrew Steptoe, Professor Jane Wardle, other members of the ELSA group. Main purpose of post: To contribute to analyses of the bio-behavioural risks and consequences of cancer, using behavioural, psychosocial, and environmental data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). 2 Main duties and responsibilities • Preparing and analysing ELSA data on anthropometric variables, biomarkers, health behaviours and cancer diagnoses; • Preparation of manuscripts for publication in line with personal objectives agreed in the staff review process; • Publicising the project and disseminating findings to academic and non-academic users; • Liaising with and supporting members of the investigator team based in other institutions; • Participating in departmental and faculty seminars aimed at sharing research outcomes and building interdisciplinary collaboration within and outside the department; • Maintaining own continuing professional development; • Following and promoting UCL policies, including Equal Opportunities; • Maintaining awareness and observation of fire and health and safety regulations; • Carrying out any other duties commensurate with the grade and purpose of the post. Subject to the regulations of the funding bodies, appropriately qualified members of research staff will be expected to contribute to teaching and other departmental activities. At the present time this is estimated to amount to an absolute maximum of thirty contact teaching hours per annum. This job description reflects the present requirements of the post and, as duties and responsibilities change/develop, the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the postholder. 3 3. PERSON SPECIFICATION Qualifications E= Assessed by: A = application Essential I = interview D= Desirable Good first degree (1st or 2.1) E A MSc in a health-related subject D A PhD in quantitative social science or epidemiology OR equivalent research E A experience. If the degree has not yet been granted, the final accepted version of the thesis should have been submitted to the degree granting university by the time of starting. Skills/Abilities Excellent data management skills E A/I Excellent skills in analysis of large complex longitudinal datasets E A/I Excellent written communication skills E A/I Proven record of ability to manage time, prioritise workload and work to E A strict deadlines Organisational skills: attention to detail and good record keeping E A Ability to be flexible E A Self-motivation, the ability to work on own initiative and in a team E A Commitment to UCL’s policy of equal opportunity and the ability to work E A harmoniously with colleagues and students of all cultures and backgrounds Experience Multivariate data analysis in longitudinal data E A/I Quantitative survey methods E A/I Experience in research on health-related consequences of obesity E A/I Experience of research in cancer D A/I Publication in peer reviewed journals D A Working in a complex environment and achieving results D A/I Working in a multi-disciplinary team D A/I Knowledge and Aptitude Knowledge of the literature on determinants and consequence of obesity E I and weight loss Cancer epidemiology D I Statistical packages (Stata, SPSS, or equivalent) E A/I Information and information technology E A/I In addition to the person specification criteria, the successful candidate will need to meet UCL’s expectations of academic excellence, as outlined in ‘Excellence and the UCL community: a shared 4 endeavour’ (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/excellence/) (hard copies available on request). These will inform the candidate's induction, probation, and appraisal, in discussion with the Head of Department. 4. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE Salary Scale The salary will be on UCL Grade