IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title
Neonatal Research Unit Statistician
Divisions
Division of Medicine and School of Public Health
Sections
Section of Neonatal Medicine and Epidemiology and
Public Health (Clinical Trials Unit)
Job Family/Level
Professional Services, Level 3b
Salary Range
£33,590 - £37,350 per annum
Responsible to
Professor’s Neena Modi and Deborah Ashby
Responsible for
Statistical analysis for neonatal research
programmes and projects and supporting the
Neonatal Data Analysis Unit
Duration
One year Maternity Cover
Location
Chelsea & Westminster Campus and St Mary’s
Campus
Contract
Full-time, fixed-term
Background and Description of Post
The Neonatal Research Unit of Imperial College Hospital is based at the Chelsea &
Westminster campus. The Neonatal Research Unit includes the Neonatal Data Analysis Unit
(NDAU). The NDAU was established in 2006 to utilise electronic clinical data to support service
evaluations and facilitate research in neonatal medicine. Other work within the Neonatal
Research Unit is focussed upon the impact of preterm birth, nutrition and other early influences
upon health and wellbeing.
In 2003 neonatal services were reorganised into clinical networks leading to the development of
electronic neonatal records to share patient information across NHS Trusts. The electronic
neonatal record was introduced in 2005 and to-date has been adopted by the majority of
neonatal networks representing neonatal unit admissions from all births in England and Wales.
These data are processed at the NDAU to form the National Neonatal Research Database. This
is a unique national resource containing data from a national geographically defined population
and provides unparalleled opportunity to integrate clinical care and research to improve
newborn health outcomes.
The NDAU are nearing completion of a 4 year Programme Grant (Medicines for Neonates) from
the National Institute of Health Research. This programme has several elements including
improving the capture of NHS neonatal data, testing the use of electronic patient data to
facilitate clinical trials and health economic studies, linkage of newborn data with general
practitioner records and Hospital Episode Statistics, working with parents and the public to
promote understanding of neonatal research and testing the capture of two-year health
outcomes through routine NHS care. The NDAU also undertake other research and health
service evaluations, and analyse data for the National Neonatal Audit Programme.
The principal purpose of the post is to cover the maternity leave of the NDAU statistician for the
Medicines for Neonates programme to develop and support the work of the NDAU, and to
provide general statistical support for the academic work of the neonatal research unit. The post
holder will be supported by Professor Deborah Ashby, Professor of Clinical Trials & Statistics
and other members of the School of Public Health, Imperial College London, in respect of work
for the Medicines for Neonates programme, and by Professor Neena Modi, Professor of
Neonatal Medicine. S/he will work with a number of researchers, other statisticians, and data
analysts/managers in the Neonatal Research Unit. S/he will spend an agreed proportion of time
at each campus (St Mary’s and Chelsea & Westminster) as appropriate.
This fixed term maternity cover post is ideal for a self-motivated person and offers unique
opportunities for personal development. The post is subject to a standard Imperial College
probationary period. The appointee will be expected to play a full and active role in the
academic life of the NDAU and the Neonatal Research Unit.
Key Working Relationships
NDAU Board, NDAU manager, data analyst and researchers, statisticians and others in the
Clinical Trials Unit
Key Responsibilities
 Undertaking analyses for Medicines for Neonates
 Developing and supporting the work of the Neonatal Data Analysis Unit
 Providing general statistical support to the Neonatal Research Unit
.
General Responsibilities
 Contribution to the intellectual life of the Department.
 Contribution to the preparation of manuscripts for publication.
 Keeping up-to-date with the scientific advances in the field.
 Active participation in meetings as appropriate.
 Compliance with intellectual property rights and the Data Protection Act 2000.
 Timely execution of projects
 Preparation and presentation of research data
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and so the post holder may be required to
undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
The post holder is expected to observe and comply with all College policies and
regulations, for example Health and Safety, Data Protection etc.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating
discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in our
Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy and
Disability Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Education and Qualifications
Essential
 BSc/BA or equivalent in a relevant subject (eg mathematics, statistics)
Desirable
 MSc or equivalent in a relevant subject (eg mathematics, statistics, epidemiology)
 PhD in statistics, epidemiology or a closely related discipline
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
 Substantial experience in statistical analyses
 Strong skills in the use of major statistical packages such as Stata, SPSS or SAS.
 A demonstrable ability to design, implement and write up a project.
 Experience of providing statistical advice to junior and senior staff;
 Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
 Evidence of good time management, ability to meet strict deadlines and to manage
multiple simultaneous projects
Desirable
 Experience of health services data analyses or health services research
 Experience of clinical trials
 Experience of working in an academic or NHS environment
 Experience in writing grant applications and research proposals
 Experience of Research Ethics requirements and research governance
 Understanding of the organisation and delivery of perinatal care in the UK
Skills and Abilities
Essential
 Excellent interpersonal skills
 Ability to quickly assimilate knowledge from unfamiliar data, communicate with people
from diverse disciplines and provide clear explanations of statistical concepts to nonstatisticians
 Willingness to be flexible
Desirable
 Publication of original research and/or training materials