Job Purpose

An exciting opportunity has arisen to make a leading contribution to the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Scotland project working with Dr Jo Inchley in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Group, School of Health and Wellbeing. HBSC is a World Health Organisation collaborative cross-national study of adolescent health and wellbeing conducted in 50 countries across Europe and North America (www.hbsc.org). You will have excellent knowledge/skills in survey research and statistical analysis and a comprehensive understanding of current issues in child and adolescent public health. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

The post is full-time and available to start as soon as possible.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.     Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, individually or jointly with other members of the team, in accordance with the project deliverables and Group/School/College research strategy.

2.     Be responsible for day-to-day delivery of the project, including sampling, recruitment of schools, data collection, data analysis, report writing and dissemination activities.

3.     Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

4.     Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/School/Research Group, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed publications, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

5.     Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

6.     Present work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

7.     Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.

8.     Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community.

9.     Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.

10.   Support the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.

11.    Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.

12.    Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.

13.    Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

14.    Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

15.    Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University Strategy.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) in public health, mental health, social sciences or related subject, or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s)

Skills

Essential:

C1. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions in child and adolescent health

C2. Sufficient depth of relevant research experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.

C3. Strong knowledge/skills in quantitative data collection, data management and statistical analyses.

C4. Specialist skills in survey design including questionnaire design, sample design, errors and bias, non-response.

C5. Strong skills in communicating research findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences, including clear writing, data visualisation and oral presentation skills.

C6. Highly motivated, ability to use initiative and quick to learn new techniques.

C7. Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders.

Desirable:

D1: Good understanding of current Scottish health and education policy as it relates to children and young people

Skills and experience

Essential:

E1: Experience of designing surveys, writing codebooks, cleaning and coding data, applying weights to data, writing and carrying out an analysis plan

E2: Strong experience of using statistical packages such as SPSS, R or Stata.

E3: Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

E4: A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences

E6: Experience of undertaking independent research

Desirable:

F1: Experience of Qualtrics or other online survey platforms

F2. Experience of undertaking research in the school setting

F3: Experience of working directly with young people, either in a professional or voluntary capacity

F4: Experience of undertaking public engagement activities, particularly with young people and/or schools.

F5: Experience of conducting qualitative research.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Jo Inchley, Joanna.Inchley@glasgow.ac.uk 

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £40,497 - £45,413 per annum.

This post is full-time and has funding for up to 32 months.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing Date:  24 June 2025 at 23:45