Public Health Research Assistant

Public Health Wales

The closing date is 01 May 2025

Job summary

The post will provide research support to the Specialist Projects Team in the Policy and International Health Directorate, a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health and Well-being. The team develops knowledge through quantitative and qualitative research including population surveys, systematic reviews and evaluations. A key part of the role will be supporting the delivery of Time to Talk Public Health.

Time to Talk Public Health is a cross-organisational work programme in which the team works with colleagues across the organisation and Welsh Government to design and deliver questionnaires with nationally representative samples in Wales. Topics covered in the questionnaire span across policy, health improvement, health protection, and health service. For more information on Time to Talk Public Health, visit our website.

This role will be a great opportunity for a proactive, enthusiastic and innovative researcher to support the collection, production and dissemination of public health information to improve population health and policy.

In return, we offer great benefits including hybrid and flexible working, a fantastic NHS pension, excellent annual leave, plus many more.

Public Health Wales works to achieve a healthier future for the people in Wales. If you want to make a difference to the people in Wales, then this is an exciting opportunity for you to join our talented, cross-functional, dynamic and friendly team.

Main duties of the job

The skill set required for the post includes strong literature review, critical appraisal and writing skills; knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods; data analysis and synthesis skills; strong attention to detail and an aptitude for problem solving; and excellent communication skills for team working and stakeholder engagement. The post holder will be expected to work closely with multiple stakeholders across academia, policy and practice, and to participate in the dissemination of research findings through presentations and report production.

Key duties will include:

Working across the remit of public health to inform and support the designing of questionnaires.

Supporting the management and delivery of a population panel.

Converting health data into information with minimal supervision, including data collection, data quality audit, analysis and synthesis, and reporting through to dissemination.

Contributing to the production of a range of published outputs that will be accessible to a range of audiences.

Liaising and negotiating with staff and project teams to support the efficient running of project and business functions.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

About us

Public Health Wales is the National Public Health Institute in Wales. Our vision is 'Working to achieve a healthier future for Wales' where we play a pivotal role in driving improvements in population health and well-being, reducing health inequalities, improving healthcare outcomes, protecting the public and supporting the development of health in all policies across Wales. Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.

To find out more about working for us, the benefits we offer and guidance on the application process, please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/

Date posted

23 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£30,420 to £37,030 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

33 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

028-AC103-0425

Job locations

Cardiff / Wrexham

Cardiff / Wrexham

CF10 4BZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.

Although this post has been advertised as a fixed term appointment, NHS staff will be offered the appointment as a secondment. If you wish to apply for a secondment, you must have the approval of your line manager.

THIS POST IS FIXED TERM/SECONDMENT FOR 33 MONTHS DUE TO FUNDING.IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THE SECONDMENT POSITION, YOU MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM YOUR CURRENT LINE MANAGER PRIOR TO APPLYING FOR THIS POST.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.

Although this post has been advertised as a fixed term appointment, NHS staff will be offered the appointment as a secondment. If you wish to apply for a secondment, you must have the approval of your line manager.

THIS POST IS FIXED TERM/SECONDMENT FOR 33 MONTHS DUE TO FUNDING.IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THE SECONDMENT POSITION, YOU MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM YOUR CURRENT LINE MANAGER PRIOR TO APPLYING FOR THIS POST.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level in health, social, geographical, numerate or science related subject, or equivalent level of experience.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of undertaking research in a health-related field
  • Experience of undertaking literature reviews, evidence synthesis and developing questionnaires
  • Experience of communicating information to others through writing short summary reports, or verbal updates

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills particularly in relation to data and evidence
  • Experience in managing data, data cleansing and quality assurance
  • Competence in the use of analytical software for quantitative analysis e.g. SPSS Competence in using Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint

Knowledge

Essential

  • Principles of research ethics and governance

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Work with and relate to highly specialist professionals and members of the public
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level in health, social, geographical, numerate or science related subject, or equivalent level of experience.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of undertaking research in a health-related field
  • Experience of undertaking literature reviews, evidence synthesis and developing questionnaires
  • Experience of communicating information to others through writing short summary reports, or verbal updates

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills particularly in relation to data and evidence
  • Experience in managing data, data cleansing and quality assurance
  • Competence in the use of analytical software for quantitative analysis e.g. SPSS Competence in using Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint

Knowledge

Essential

  • Principles of research ethics and governance

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Work with and relate to highly specialist professionals and members of the public

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Public Health Wales

Address

Cardiff / Wrexham

Cardiff / Wrexham

CF10 4BZ


Employer's website

https://phw.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Public Health Wales

Address

Cardiff / Wrexham

Cardiff / Wrexham

CF10 4BZ


Employer's website

https://phw.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Public Health Researcher

Catherine Sharp

catherine.sharp@wales.nhs.uk

Date posted

23 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£30,420 to £37,030 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

33 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

028-AC103-0425

Job locations

Cardiff / Wrexham

Cardiff / Wrexham

CF10 4BZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Public Health Wales's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)