The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is seeking to appoint a talented and motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct research in the development of a healthcare intervention involving the use of point-of-care diagnostics in the management of respiratory tract infections.
The specific title of the project is: “The development of an intervention to improve the use of point-of-care diagnostics in the management of respiratory tract infections in primary care: a mixed methods study”.
The study aims to develop an intervention involving general practitioners and community pharmacists to improve the use of point-of-care diagnostics in the management (diagnosis and treatment) of respiratory tract infections in primary care in Ireland. The objectives are to: (i) develop best practice guidance with reference to key literature, (ii) explore perceived barriers and facilitators (general practitioners’ and community pharmacists’ perspectives), (iii) determine patients’ views, (iv) design an intervention, and (v) test the intervention in a proof-of-concept study to improve the use of point-of-care diagnostics in primary care. The intervention development will be underpinned by the Theoretical Domains Framework and the application of behaviour change techniques. Methods used throughout the research programme include literature searching, Delphi consensus methodology and qualitative research.
The position is funded for three years.
Duties include:
• Assume responsibility for the day-to-day running of the project.
• Prepare research protocols and accompanying study documentation necessary for Research Ethics Committee approval.
• Plan all Project Management Committee meetings, minute-taking, agenda setting, noting of and following-up on action points.
• Monitor progress against Gantt chart and pre-specified milestones & deliverables.
• Day-to-day research tasks will be work-package dependent, but include: development of search strategy, undertaking the scoping literature review, development of topic guides, recruitment of participants (expert panel, interview participants, task group, proof-of-concept study sites), development of analysis plan, analysis of data, interpretation of results and dissemination.
• Identify own learning needs and seek support from the wide research team to address these.
• Communicate with and update the Project Management Committee on a regular basis as per project management strategy.
• Effectively communicate with task groups throughout the course of the project.
• Liaise with collaborators to organise dissemination events as per the project's dissemination strategy.
• Represent the project and the research project team at national and international conferences and develop first drafts of project outputs and circulate to the project team for comment and input.
• Provide budgetary oversight.
• Update the data management plan as and when is needed, comply with GDPR and data protection regulations at all times.
Person Specification
Qualifications
The candidate must have a PhD or have submitted their thesis at the time of application, with a highly productive research track record, commensurate with stage of career. Preference will be given to healthcare professionals with a PhD in health-services research and behaviour change intervention development.
A background in or knowledge of health psychology, primary care, antimicrobial stewardship, point-of-care diagnostics is desirable.
Knowledge & Experience (Essential & Desirable)
Essential
Qualitative research experience
Systematic and scoping review experience
Project management
Excellent communicator and able to work as an effective team member
Desirable
Knowledge of: Theoretical Domains Framework, Behaviour Change Techniques
Running of task groups
Knowledge of Delphi validation techniques
Skills & Competencies
Essential
Able to work independently as well as part of a team
Proven excellent communication skills
Excellent time management skills
Evidence of productivity through research outputs
Proactive, enthusiastic, motivated, flexible and problem-solving attitude
Application Procedure
Applicants should submit the following documents to Professor Cristín Ryan (
[email protected]):
A cover letter, including a statement of purpose and motivation for pursuing this research (max. 2 pages)
A full Curriculum Vitae to include the names and contact details of 2 referees (including institutional email addresses).
Applications are required to be submitted as one e-mail, with all the requested documents attached in PDF format to the email address:
[email protected]Please quote the following in the subject heading of the email application: “Application for HRB Research Fellow position”.
Interviews will be held online.
Further Information for Applicants
URL Link to PI
https://www.tcd.ie/research/profiles/?profile=crryanURL Link to department
https://pharmacy.tcd.ie/ Informal enquiries Prof Cristín Ryan (
[email protected])