Professor of Medical Statistics

Centre for Trials Research 

College of Biomedical & Life Sciences

The Centre for Trials Research at Cardiff University is the largest group of academic clinical trials staff in Wales. The Centre tackles the big diseases and health concerns of our time, including growing resistance to antibiotics, early cancer diagnosis and how to eliminate health inequalities. It achieves this by forming partnerships with researchers and building lasting relationships with the public, whose participation is essential for the success of studies.

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified and experienced individual to join us (with membership of the Centre’s Executive Committee) as a Professor of Medical Statistics. Providing senior leadership in Statistics and Trial Methodology in the Centre, the successful candidate will be required to deliver high-quality and research-led teaching and contribute to the research record of the Centre through commitment to carrying out research leading to the publishing of work in high-quality journals. They will also be required to pursue excellence in research, teaching and enterprise and to inspire others to do the same.

Educated to PhD level in a related subject, a proven portfolio of world-class research in trials and an established and sustainable record of research output in major international journals is sought, ideally in one of the theme areas of the College. Knowledge of the current status of research in trials is necessary, as is an ability and willingness to lead work across traditional disciplinary boundaries, and to establish collaborations with academic and industry partners across institutions and internationally. You will require proven experience of competitive research funding along with a strong portfolio of research grants, and an established record of collaborations with industry, charity or government partners with international academic partners

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to external engagement activities with communities, practitioners and policy-makers, including the translation of research knowledge and evidence into practice. An ability and willingness to develop interdisciplinary links and team working with researchers in different Schools to enhance the overall strength of clinical trials across the University is essential, as is a proven ability to successfully supervise and support, research and administration staff and PhD students.

In return we offer excellent benefits including generous holiday entitlement, attractive pension and a wide range of discounts.

For informal queries, please contact Professor Kerenza Hood on Tel: 02920 687163 or HoodK1@cardiff.ac.uk

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available immediately and is open-ended.

Salary: An appointment will be made on the Cardiff Professorial Pay scale depending upon skills, knowledge and experience

Closing Date: Monday, 10 September 2018

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received. 

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Job Description

Main function 

To provide senior leadership in Statistics and Trial Methodology in the Centre. To deliver high-quality and research-led teaching and contribute to the research record of the Centre through commitment to carrying out research leading to the publishing of work in high-quality journals. To pursue excellence in research, teaching and enterprise and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research

• To provide leadership and strategic development in Trial Methodology for the Centre, College and University, in line with the Centre values
• To establish a UK wide Trial Methods program of research which develops our research staff and defines the way in which trials will be run for the 21st Century
• To work collaboratively across the Centre/College
• To work proactively with key funders including Health & Care Research Wales, CR UK and Bloodwise
• To contribute to national and international developments in research, including those involving national groups such as UKCRC, NCRI and NIHR.
• To carry out independent research, developing and strengthening an established research reputation
• To present research findings at conference, publish in high impact journals and support more junior staff to develop their publication profile
• To set research objectives and take a lead in developing and securing research funding
• To contribute to the Centre Research Evidence Framework Strategy, through high quality publications, impact and supporting a high quality research environment
• To make a full contribution to the College research themes
• To be involved in college strategic planning and contribute to the wider University strategic planning process.
• To contribute to ensuring that the Centre retain accreditation with UKCRC
• To ensure that their research program fully complies with all appropriate legal and regulatory requirements

Teaching

• To independently contribute to module and curriculum development and lead modules at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and short courses
• To carry out other forms of scholarship including work associated with examinations (setting and marking paper and providing constructive feedback to students), administration, participation in committee work, and the pastoral care of students of Cardiff University
• To supervise the work of students including the supervision of Undergraduate and Master’s students, the co-supervision of PGR’s and acting as a PGR progress review panel member as required
• To act as a Personal Tutor and provide pastoral support to students

Leadership

• To lead and develop the statistics team across the Centre
• To contribute to the strategic leadership of the Centre and the wider College and University on behalf of the Centre
• To provide academic leadership by co-ordinating the work of others to ensure areas of research & teaching are organised and delivered effectively and to a high quality.

Other

• To contribute to the management of quality, audit and other external assessments/inspections
• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the Centre’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the Centre and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
• To participate in Centre administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area or relevant experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

1. Well-established proven portfolio of research in trials and an established and sustainable record of research output in major international journals ideally in one of the theme areas of the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences.  
2. An ability and willingness to lead work across traditional disciplinary boundaries and to establish collaborations with academic and industry partners, charity or government partners (across institutions and internationally). You should also be able to demonstrate an established record of these collaborations.  
3. Proven experience of competitive research funding along with a strong portfolio of research grants

Pastoral, Communication and Team Working

1. A strong commitment to external engagement activities with communities, practitioners and policy-makers, including the translation of research knowledge and evidence into practice
2. Ability and willingness to develop interdisciplinary links and team working with researchers in different Schools to enhance the overall strength of clinical trials across the University
3. Substantial teaching experience at undergraduate/postgraduate level, demonstrating teaching innovation and course development and design
4. Proven record of academic leadership with excellent interpersonal and communication skills with evidence of successful team-working skills (including a range of staff and PhD students)

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge and /or experience of early phase trial design
• Candidates must also be able to demonstrate one or more of following:

a. Membership or Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy

b. Membership or Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Educators

c. Have completed or be pursuing a Postgraduate Qualification in Medical Education or equivalent (e.g. PCUTL)

If applicants are not able to demonstrate any of a-c above they will be expected to enrol and successfully complete the School of Medicine medical education orientation programme, this must be renewed at least every 3 years (unless they have subsequently completed any of a-c).

• Willingness to mentor and otherwise support the research and teaching of more junior colleagues
• Experience of undertaking administrative duties within an academic department
• Evidence of an external contribution to local/national/professional bodies and/or other external esteem indicators
• Experience of and commitment to public engagement

Additional Information

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

It is Centre's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.

Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 7694BR.

If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The Centre for Trials Research welcome the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.