Job Description and Person Specification
Vacancy Number:
Job Description
School/Department:
Faculty of Health Sciences
Post Title:
Senior Research Assistant
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ERE & Clinical
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ERE
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Posts Responsible to (and Level):
Professor Ann Bowling
Posts Responsible for (and Level):
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Job Purpose:
To conduct research based on secondary data analysis, as part of an Economic and Social Research Councilfunded project, to analyse:
Cognitive functioning at age 50 (NCDS), trajectories of cognitive function after age 50 (ELSA), and covariates; use of services and co-variates; specifically multi-variable models of temporal sequence (cross-lagged
temporal regressions) to account for any effects of changes in the predictor variables on cognitive functioning;
and structural equation modelling to examine mediators; to deal with missing data by using multiple imputation
techniques
Data retrieval, merging and archiving 9e.g. in the case of creation of new variables) via UK data Archive
(individual registration required).
Key Accountabilities/Primary Responsibilities:
1. Plan and develop innovative research proposals and projects
2. Plan and deliver high quality research within a specified area, project managing the
research activity, sustaining a personal research plan, and supervising and taking
responsibility for the research team
3.
To conduct analyses of NCDS and ELSA using advanced statistical methods.
4. To undertake data retrieval, merging and eventual archiving
% Time
5.
To contribute to the writing of presentations, academic publications and policy
briefings or providing support to others in the team as appropriate.
6.
Carry out management and administrative tasks associated with specified research
funding, including risk assessment of project activities, organisation of project
meetings and documentation and preparation of annual reports. To oversee and
implement procedures required to ensure accurate and timely formal reporting and
financial control
Internal & External Relationships: (nature & purpose of relationships)
Attendance at conferences and meetings to facilitate scientific networking and engagement.
Special Requirements:
To work at the University of Southampton, and travelling to participate in occasional meetings and conferences.
Person Specification
Criteria
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:
Essential
Desirable
How to be assessed
PhD (or close to completion) or equivalent
professional qualifications and experience in a
quantitative social science discipline

Application
Considerable experience in using statistical
methods to analyse longitudinal population
panel data.

Application/
Interview
Experience in using advanced statistical
modelling techniques e.g. multilevel modelling,
transition or latent curve models, cross-lagged
temporal regressions, structural equation
modelling.

Application/
Interview

Application/
Interview

Application/
Interview
Excellent knowledge and practical experience
of using STATA mainly, and also SPSS.
Interest in longitudinal analysis.
Experience using longitudinal secondary
datasets.
Experience of merging datasets.
Knowledge about theory and application of

Application/
Interview

measures of validation, reliability in evaluating
data collection instruments used in the datasets.
Interview

Experience in conducting literature reviews
Planning and Organising:

Practical experience of some or all: conducting
data collection for research studies,
questionnaire design, quality control, data
entry)
Expertise in project management
Application/
Interview
Interview

Ability to work to deadlines
Application/
Interview

Problem Solving and Initiative:
Able to think creatively and appropriately in
response to challenges arising in analytical and
operational settings
Ability to plan and organise work
independently and as part of a team

Application/
Interview

Application/
Interview

Interview
Management and Teamwork:
Able to work effectively in a team that is
dispersed between universities, and where
academic and non-academic staff in both
institutions have a wide diversity of knowledge
and skills
Willingness to contribute to the general
scientific activities within the Faculty of health
Sciences, including seminars and conferences

Interview
Communicating and Influencing:
Communicate new and complex information
effectively, both verbally and in writing, with
diverse members of scientific, operational,
human resources and community liaison teams
in the University of Southampton and partners
Ability to engage the interest and enthusiasm of
colleagues and collaborators
Able to present research results at group
meetings and conferences

Application/
Interview

Interview

Application/
Interview
Able to write up research results for publication
in leading peer-viewed journals

Application/
Interview
Other Skills and Behaviours:
Word processing, internet, bibliographic search
skills and bibliographic software (e.g. Endnote)
Application/
Interview

Special Requirements:
The ability to travel occasionally to meetings
and conferences with partners, to present
research results

Application/
Interview
Job Hazard Analysis Form - Appendix to Job and Person Specification
Please tick one of the following statements:
This post is an office-based job with routine office hazards e.g. use of VDU (if ticked,
no further information needs to be supplied)

This post has some hazards other than routine office e.g. more than use of VDU
Please tick all those that apply, and put N/A if not applicable
Environmental Exposures
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg fridge/ furnace)
Potential for exposure to body fluids
Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
O*
N/A
N/A
## N/A
## N/A
F
C
Exposure to hazardous substances (eg solvents, liquids, dust, fumes,
biohazards). Specify
………………………………………………………….
##
Frequent hand washing
N/A
N/A
Ionising radiation.
N/A
Equipment/Tools/Machines used
Food Handling
##
Driving university vehicles(e.g. car/van/LGV/PCV)
##
Use of latex gloves (note: prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
##
Vibrating tools ( e.g. strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
##
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Physical Abilities
Load manual handling.
N/A
Repetitive Crouching/Kneeling/Stooping
Repetitive Pulling/Pushing
Repetitive Lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive Climbing i.e. steps, stools, ladders
Fine motor grips (e.g. pipetting)
Gross motor grips
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
N/A
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
N/A
N/A
Psychosocial Issues
Face to face contact with public
Lone working
Shift work/night work/on call duties
N/A
N/A
## N/A
O – Occasionally (up to 1/3 of time); F – Frequently (up to 2/3 of time); C – Constantly (more than 2/3
of time) ## denotes to HR the need for a full PEHQ to be sent to all applicants for this position.
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