Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Job Title: Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Department: Psychiatry

Reporting to: Professor David Cotter

Location: Smurfit Building, Beaumont Hospital or St Stephen's Green

Contract/Duration: Specified Purpose - up to 18 months, full-time

**Remuneration** Post PD, Level 1, or PD Level 2, dependent on experience)

Closing date: 9:00am on Wednesday 16th of September

Background to this post: Sharing the Vision' (StV) is the new 10-year mental health policy developed by The Department of Health, Ireland and launched in 2021. Our proposal is focused on how recommendations within this policy can best be implemented. Mental health problems are a leading cause of disability globally. StV emphasises the importance of mental health promotion, prevention, early intervention, and recovery, and recognises the need for a whole of population approach. Our proposed research programme VISTA (Vision to Action for promoting Mental Health and Recovery) seeks to progress the translational "policy to practice" pathway of StV's implementation plan through six work packages. This postdoctoral position represents the work of one of these work-packages - the research aiming to identifying risk factors associated with mental health outcomes and recovery. Specifically the postdoctoral researcher will undertake research examining personally modifiable factors associated with recovery from mental illness. The quantitative evidence has largely identified characteristics that the person with a mental health problem may have little control over. The work package aims to quantitatively identify personally modifiable factors (factors that a person has direct control over and changing these factors do not require third party involvement) that are associated with recovery, using both Irish and international data. Qualitative research will focus on young people with a history of mental health problems and relevant stakeholders. We will investigate the barriers and facilitators to implementing modifiable factors in the young people's lives and discuss solutions to these barriers. These analyses will largely be based on already available data sets from Growing up in Ireland (GUI) and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

• Manage the design and conduct of statistical analysis associated with the research group project, including as necessary the preparation and submission of research ethics applications, project and individual authorisations.
• Undertake statistical analysis Review of study designs and statistical analysis plans as required.
• Support the preparation of scientific reports and grant review reports as required.
• Writing of peer-review publications and presentations.
• Complying with statutory legislation and Department rules and requirements in furtherance of your own and general staff welfare and safety.
• Undergoing programmes of training and development as may be required from time to time.
• Representing the best interests of the Department/College at all times.

Position specification

Essential qualifications include:

• PhD in a relevant field such as epidemiology or mixed methods health services research
• Experience understanding the distribution, causes and risk factors of psychiatric disorders and psychological distress within populations

Desirable attributes include:

• Experience conducting research on self-harm or suicide
• Experience conducting causal inference research
• Very strong research skills and a proven track record in publication of good research in this area.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• Experience working with PPI representatives or vulnerable populations.
• Attention to detail and thoroughness in work practices and an ability to work to deadlines
• A capacity to work collaboratively as part of a team as well as independently, in a nonstructured environment
• An ability to win the confidence of stakeholders, researchers and research partner representatives
• An ability to foster and sustain academic relationships internally and externally

Skills & Competencies

• Project Management Skills: Ability to ensure that project plans are communicated and that all timelines are met
• Self-starter with the ability to work as part of a team: Ability to operate effectively as part of a team - is cordial, tolerant and willing to help others, is co-operative and patient; shares work and information; establishes rapport, can influence and develop effective networks
• I.T. skills: Knowledge of MS Office suite. Relevant statistical packages (such as stata, R or SPSS).
• Conscientious: Have a pro-active approach to work, anticipating and resolving problems in advance; have keen attention to detail - from anticipating and addressing issues in advance to understanding requests and delivering quality work with minimal errors.
• Flexibility: Can operate flexibly within a busy environment; can shift focus when required.
• Communication skills: Be able to communicate with initiative, tact, diplomacy and confidentiality.
• Motivated: Display a 'can-do' attitude, be committed to RCSI ORI and its development; demonstrate enthusiasm and passion for the role.

At RCSI, people are at the heart of everything we do.

Watch our short video to discover our culture, values, and shared commitment to making a meaningful impact on health worldwide. RCSI: Ensemble - Body Meets Mind.

We are all too aware that imposter syndrome and the confidence gap can sometimes stop fantastic candidates putting themselves forward, so please do submit an application - we'd love to hear from you.