Research Associate in Population Health Modelling and Data Science

Job Reference Number: UOS033537

Job Title: Research Associate in Population Health Modelling and Data Science

Contract Type: Fixed-term with a start date of 1 August 2022 or as soon as possible
thereafter,

Working Pattern: Full time

Faculty: Faculty of Engineering

Department: Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering

Salary: Grade 7
£32,344 to £37,467 per annum

Closing Date: 26th July 2022

Summary:

Are you interested in working for a world top 100 University?

We are seeking to appoint a Research Associate to engage in world-leading research in population health modelling and data

science, with a specific focus on developing a smoking cessation model for England in partnership with University College

London. The role sits within the Cancer Research UK funded programme grant “Targeting multiple levels of the smoking

cessation system using novel scientific approaches”.

The role involves developing a novel agent-based model (ABM) of smoking cessation behaviours and health outcomes. You

will use the ontology of the social psychology COM-B (capability-opportunity-motivation-behaviour) framework to inform the

conceptual and detailed design of the model. You will calibrate the model using empirical data for England and use it to

analyse the effectiveness of interventions to promote smoking cessation. Following open science principles, you will develop

the ABM as open-source software and produce an online tutorial to support potential users.

The role requires a keen enthusiasm to work across disciplinary boundaries in developing world-class and transformative

research in the modelling of social behaviours. During the project you will be able to draw on world-leading expertise in

health behaviours, epidemiology, health economics, agent-based modelling, and machine learning.

The post will be based in the Complex Optimization and Decision Making Laboratory, led by Professor Robin Purshouse,

within the Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering (ACSE) with support from Professor Alan Brennan in

the School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR). The post is integral to ACSE and ScHARR strategies to develop complex

systems modelling platforms to support societal grand challenges for improving wellbeing and reducing health inequalities.

The new ABM will leverage ScHARR’s existing Sheffield Tobacco Policy Model and related findings.

We’re one of the best not-for-profit organisations to work for in the UK. The University’s Total Reward Package includes a

competitive salary, a generous Pension Scheme and annual leave entitlement, as well as access to a range of learning and

development courses to support your personal and professional development.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions

complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research,

teaching and student experience.