The School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Sciences (MDBS) at Queen’s University Belfast, is currently seeking to appoint an exceptional candidate to the post of Research Fellow within the Centre for Public Health.
Globally noncommunicable diseases, including 'rare diseases' (RDs), cause 71% of all deaths. RDs are incurable, life-limiting diseases, most of which (80%) have a genetic component. Over half of all RDs affect children, 30% of whom die before age five. Although each RD affects fewer than 1 in 2000 people, they are a major public health issue affecting over 4.6 million people (including 110,000 in Northern Ireland). RDs are currently targeted for policy action in Northern Ireland (NI) and the rest of the UK.
A neglected issue, however, is meeting the needs of informal or family carers of persons with an RD. Many RD carers look after one or more persons 24/7, resulting in stress that can worsen their mental and physical health. Additionally, RD carers face uncertainty when seeking:
- A diagnosis (the average wait time for an accurate diagnosis in NI is five years);
- Treatment (90% of RDs have no approved treatment);
- Information (which most health care providers do not have);
- Psycho-social support (from peers and/or others).
Dedicated RD support groups exist in NI but are underfunded and focus on the needs of persons living with an RD, not helping informal carers (known as the “hidden patient”). Peers can provide carers information and support, but meeting in person is difficult. Studies show that online resources can help informal carers but are often developed without a strong evidence base or input from the intended beneficiaries. This project will address both shortcomings.
The aim of the “Co-developing the Rare Disease Carer Support Tool-Northern Ireland” (RD-CaST-NI) project is to improve the health and wellbeing of a vulnerable segment of NI’s population (RD carers) by reducing their social isolation and loneliness and increasing their self-reported well-being and resilience.
The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate you have:
- Obtained, or are about to obtain, a PhD in health research or a related area.
- At least 3 years’ relevant research experience to include:
- Working closely with diverse stakeholders;
- Collection, analysis and dissemination of qualitative data; and
- Demonstrated ability to conduct dissemination activities and engage with the public.
Please note the above are not an exhaustive list. For further information about the role including the essential and desirable criteria, please click on the Candidate Information link below.
This is a fixed term contract, available until 30 September 2024. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.
At Queen’s our people are at the heart of everything we do. As a staff member you will become part of a vibrant organisational culture, which will provide you with the opportunity to achieve your full potential and enhance your career through a continuous focus on learning and development.
We offer an excellent employment package that includes:
- Great terms & conditions
- Pension schemes
- Flexible working by enabling you to design your working week in collaboration with your manager through a blend of remote and office working
- Family-friendly initiatives
- Career development opportunities
- Support for health & mental wellbeing
- Generous holiday entitlement of 8.4 weeks a year (made up of 23 days annual leave, 10 closure days and 9 bank holidays)
Queen’s University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We have created an inclusive culture by establishing staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.
We also subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI in addition to Athena Swan. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit: www.qub.ac.uk/diversity; www.qub.ac.uk/qgi and www.qub.ac.uk/sites/StaffGateway/StaffNetworks/
Candidate Information
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