Postdoctoral Researcher
JE Cairnes School of Business and Economics / safefood
Ref. No. NUIG 46-11
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a 12 month fixed-term contract (with the
possibility of extension) for a Postdoctoral Researcher position to work with Professor Ciaran O’ Neill in the
Discipline of Economics, Cairns School of Business and School of Business and Economics at NUI Galway.
This is a safefood funded project running for 18 months from August 1st 2011. The project aims to provide a
comprehensive assessment of the cost of overweight and obesity on the island of Ireland. The project is a
collaboration between a number of different groups on the island of Ireland, led by Prof. Ivan Perry, Dept. of
Epidemiology and Public Health, in UCC. The successful candidate will be based in NUI Galway, but will
work as part of a multidisciplinary team that may include work with Professor Frank Kee of the School of
Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queens University Belfast.
Post Profile
You will work on estimating the healthcare costs of overweight and obesity on the island of Ireland as well as
productivity losses associated with these conditions. A literature review is being carried out, led by Anne Dee,
that will inform the analysis.
The project will use a wide array of data sources and approaches to estimation including hospital records
(HIPE) in the Republic of Ireland, and NISRA data in Northern Ireland, supplemented with data collected in
surveys such as SLAN, Understanding Society Survey. A range of analytical approaches are likely to be
employed in the estimation of healthcare and lost productivity costs. Standard parametric methods will be
used to characterise aspects of uncertainty however, it is envisaged that a probabilistic sensitivity analysis
will also be used to model uncertainty in costs.
Knowledge & Experience - Essential

A PhD, in economics or cognate discipline

Good evidence of strong quantitative skills in general and econometric methods in particular

Clear evidence of good inter-personal skills

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral are essential for this position.
Knowledge & Experience - Desirable

Experience in the conduct of health economics research

Training in health economics
The post will involve some travel to work with our partners outside Galway. For informal inquiries about this
post please email: ciaran.oneill@nuigalway.ie
Salary: €38,286 per annum
To Apply: Interested candidates should send a detailed CV with covering letter, and the names and
addresses of at least three referees via e-mail (in word or PDF format only) to ciaran.oneill@nuigalway.ie
Applicants must put Ref. No. NUIG 46-11 in subject line of e-mail application.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Friday 8th July 2011.
National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer.