The Role
To work as part of a team sitting within the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre to provide a comprehensive project management and professional support service to the IHI funded Patient Lifestyle and Disease Data Interactium (PaLaDIn). PaLaDIn is a €20 million EU funded project which will establish a state-of the art platform to collect real world, rare disease patient data to inform health decision making. Newcastle University are the Work Package (WP) Lead for the Communication, Dissemination and Scale up WP, the co-lead for the DMD Proof of concept WP and will contribute knowledge and expertise to other WPs within the project.
To be responsible for the day-to-day development and project management involved in developing innovative and validated tools for an integrated IT platform that will collect real world, rare disease patient data to inform health decision making.
This Post is fixed until the 31st December 2027.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Becca Leary ().
Key Accountabilities
1. To act as the main point of contact on the project for scoping out and developing a range of tools to be implemented into an IT platform to allow for the collection of real-world patient data
2. To lead on developing test plans for all new tools implemented into the platform and being responsible for carrying out rigorous testing of these ahead of launching them on to the live platform
3. To work with the IT platform developers and the Central Recruitment Database (CRD) Manager to launch the DMD Hub Central Recruitment Database on to the new state of the art IT platform
4. To lead on working with a range of key stakeholders scoping out and planning work around the implementation of the CRD model across a wide range of new disease areas
5. Provide a coordinated and efficient service to the various stakeholders, including project collaborators, clinicians, patients and the pharmaceutical industry
6. Ensure that information is correctly researched, collated, and validated for inclusion into the IT platform and reports/documents
7. Analyse data in the IT platform to collect information of relevance to healthcare and link with existing initiatives to publish in appropriate forms (including academic publications, reports for use in policymaking initiatives, as well as information for patients)
8. Liaise regularly with others in similar roles or with similar responsibilities (including DMD Hub staff and registry curators)
9. Present the validated tools and integrated IT platform at relevant meetings and conferences and write related reports
10. Contribute to project management groups as required to support the project e.g., Advisory Boards, Steering Groups, inter- disciplinary working groups
11. Develop an understanding of the scientific, regulatory and technical elements of the project in order to cross communicate between different work packages
12. Preparation for, and facilitation of, audits and/or inspections
13. Take responsibility for identifying own learning needs, including identifying appropriate courses to ensure up to date knowledge in the funding streams available to support translational research, as well as developing an awareness of the regulations governing clinical research and research data
14. Work as part of the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre team to develop common ways of working and promote the use of best practice in project management
15. Supervising temporary staff if required
16. Any other duties as deemed appropriate by line manager
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Knowledge
17. Awareness of the benefits and challenges of the collection of health data, particularly in the rare disease field
18. Comprehensive understanding of GDPR requirements and how to apply them in practice
19. Advanced knowledge of project management and relevant business operating procedures
20. Knowledge of project management methodology
21. A proven ability to manage projects to defined deliverables and meet audit requirements
Skills
22. IT literate across a wide range of applications
23. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; confident, adept and empathetic communicator in a variety of media
24. Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills
25. Excellent team-working skills
26. Excellent numerical and data analysis skills
27. Excellent presentation skills
28. Excellent project management skills
29. Ability to communicate technical information to a lay audience
30. Ability to take responsibility and prioritise workloads
31. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
32. Ability to work to agreed targets and strict deadlines
33. Ability to use initiative, think strategically and adopt an active approach to problem solving
34. Ability to understand complex scientific and medical information
Experience
35. Developing test plans for use on IT software and carrying out rigorous testing ahead of service/product launches
36. Working in a project management role
37. Working in a research environment ideally in an international project
38. Communicating and discussing sensitive personal information
39. Handling complex projects to deadlines
40. Acting in an advisory capacity to colleagues at all levels
41. Networking and dissemination work
42. Healthcare issues related to patients and their families
43. Managing complex interpersonal situations
44. Dealing with complex numerical and scientific data
45. Engaging clinicians in data provision
Attributes and Behaviour
46. Has the ability to see the “big picture”, to think strategically and to manage complex problems and issues
47. Uses clear, concise and accurate communication, tailoring the approach accordingly and encouraging a two-way communication process
48. Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role in teams and establishes and grows relationships across the organisation where different skills, expertise and opinions are valued
49. Manages time and resources by prioritising and organising effectively
50. Ability to undertake national and occasional international travel with overnight stays when required
51. Ability to undertake work outside of normal working hours and travel nationally and internationally for work on an occasional basis
Qualifications
52. Degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in a relevant discipline, or significant experience of working in a project management role
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a silver award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 27012
We ensure there's something for everyone and these benefits include: a cycle-to-work schemeshopping discountscompetitive pension schemehealth and wellbeing initiativesactivities and eventsgenerous leavediscounted travelChristmas shutdown