Salary: £36,636.00 – £46,049.00
Closing Date: 19 May 2026
The Role
Research Associate in the School of Dental Sciences based in Newcastle. The post focuses on an economic evaluation of care pathways for children with tooth decay in England – the NECTAR study – funded through an NIHR Advanced Fellowship.
Key responsibilities include collating cost, outcome and carbon footprint data from a multi‑site longitudinal study, conducting an economic evaluation, decision modelling and contributing to a qualitative component. The candidate will work closely with a small, trans‑disciplinary team led by Dr Helen Rogers and will advise on the design and delivery of the study’s six work packages.
Work Packages
* WP1 – Geographical mapping: map care pathways and services across England for children with tooth decay.
* WP2 – Longitudinal study (n = 240): follow four diverse care pathways from diagnosis to 6 months post‑treatment, collecting clinician, child and parent/carer outcomes, costs and environmental impacts; undertake a cost‑utility analysis.
* WP3 – Qualitative interviews (up to 30): purposively sample from WP2 for child‑parent dyads and clinicians to explore experiences.
* WP4 – Economic and environmental modelling: extrapolate findings from WP2 over a longer horizon, explore uncertainty and calculate carbon footprinting.
* WP5 – Preference elicitation (n = 352): survey to identify attributes of care pathways most valued by children and parents.
* WP6 – Co‑design recommendations: produce national policy guidance on optimal care pathways, improving equality and reducing costs.
The research associate will be expected to contribute to all work packages with a primary focus on WP2, WP3 and WP4.
Key Accountabilities
* To conduct key parts of the specified project, predominantly focusing on work packages 2, 3 and 4.
* Undertake training as required to enable the postholder to complete this work, as funded by the NECTAR study.
* Assist in the coordination, management and follow‑up of public advisory group and steering group meetings, events and workshops.
* Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project.
* Determine appropriate methodologies for research.
* Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations.
* Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications.
* Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline.
* Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
* Detailed subject knowledge of health economics, particularly in relation to conducting an economic evaluation.
* Basic skills in decision modelling (training in advanced decision modelling will be provided as required).
* Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy.
* Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences.
* Proven ability to analyse data and write‑up results.
* Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues.
* Excellent IT skills in all major office applications.
* The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems.
* Awareness of the research environment.
* High level of analytical and problem‑solving capacity.
* Ability to communicate complex information with clarity.
* Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications.
Desirable
* Prior experience of qualitative research.
* Prior experience of sustainability research and carbon footprinting.
* Knowledge of the structure of NHS dental services for children in England.
Attributes and Behaviour
* Highly organised, efficient and able to perform tasks with accuracy and high research integrity.
* Engaged and capable of working well, while contributing to a positive and inclusive research environment (community‑minded, respectful and kind to colleagues).
* Demonstrated original thought, contribution of ideas, problem‑solving ability and willingness to learn new techniques.
* Clear communicator and active listener.
* Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi‑skilled research team.
* Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple responsibilities and to work to deadlines.
* Commitment to continued professional development.
* Understanding of and commitment to good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity.
Qualifications
* PhD in relevant research area.
* Bachelor's/Master's degree in health economics.
The post is part time, 3 days per week, fixed term for a period of 5 years and 3 months, starting 1 September 2026 and ending 30 November 2031.
Our offer includes mentoring, annual research planning discussions, pooled research funding to support career development and research activities, peer review support for the development of research and innovation funding applications.
We are committed to making the process accessible to everyone and can provide additional support to adjustments to meet your needs.
Newcastle University is a global university where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We are an equal‑opportunity employer and a Disability Confident employer.
We hold a Gold Athena Swan award and a Race Equality Charter award.
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