ISMH Hastings Research Fellow - University of Stirling

The Post

This prestigious post-doctoral fellowship at the ISMH, University of Stirling offers an exciting opportunity for an outstanding researcher to join a world-leading Institute carrying out high profile public health research on alcohol, vaping and approaches to addressing the commercial determinants of health (CDOH). Please note:

• Remote working is negotiable
• We welcome part-time or full-time applicants
• We may appoint to a longer contract depending on candidate/allocated project
• More than one appointment may be made
• Start date is negotiable

In your cover letter, please indicate your level of interest and directly relevant knowledge, experience or transferable skills in the example project topics/tasks provided in the description of duties.

Description of Duties

The successful Hastings Fellow(s) will be matched to selected studies including from the following list, according to their interests and skillset, subject to discussion with appointable candidates at interview.

Alcohol:

1. Qualitative exploration of the impact of increases in alcohol prices on members of the public including those living in deprivation or with alcohol dependence
2. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of market/industry responses to alcohol price interventions using business to business publications and data
3. Advertising content analysis and/or retail store observations to examine the marketing of zero/low alcohol products
4. Quantitative analysis of how alcohol marketing affects the attitudes and alcohol consumption of adults in the UK
5. Analysis and write-up of qualitative data on alcohol licensing systems

(Other) Commercial determinants of health:

1. Analysis of primary qualitative data and development of novel frameworks for the management of commercial interactions/conflicts of interest in public health and related research
2. Qualitative exploration and strategic analysis of how CDOH are understood and handled by public health professionals

Tobacco/Nicotine:

1. Exploring youth and adult experiences of the accessibility of e-cigarettes and related policy options
2. Co-ordinating research to examine the effects of vaping in pregnancy

We expect other opportunities to arise throughout the fellowship. The successful Fellow(s) will have the opportunity to lead or co-author peer-reviewed papers from all studies on which they are actively involved. The fellowship is intended to provide an intensive working and learning experience in a dynamic and supportive research environment, and to accelerate the successful candidate’s research career through expansion of networks, skills, knowledge and experience. Other areas they could get involved in include supporting work with the World Health Organization on alcohol policy research and capacity building with low- and middle-income countries, assisting with a smoke-free homes international network (SHINE), or researching experiences of Long Covid and the health of people who live and work in prisons.

An outstanding researcher is sought who is enthusiastic, meticulous and hard-working, and who is comfortable and capable of working across several projects, taking on new topics and challenges within a supportive and friendly team. The Fellow will develop their existing skills base in either/both quantitative and qualitative methods including documentary analysis as needed on specific projects; and further build their public health knowledge and experience of study management. Depending on the project allocation, duties may involve:

• Primary data collection and analysis (interview, focus group or observational data, surveys)
• Secondary analysis (coding documentation or marketing material using established or novel frameworks; content analysis)
• Gaining appropriate ethical approvals
• Monitoring/supporting study recruitment and data collection activity
• Writing-up/presenting findings including leadership of academic papers, conference presentations, and working proactively with policymakers, NGOs, research funders and other stakeholders.