More Social Research – Go forth and network!
June 26, 2009
7th July; SRA Summer Event; Futures studies and social research: Visions for progress in policy and planning. Drawing on major futures research programmes recently conducted across the public and commercial sectors, this event will provide a critical introduction to the key concepts, theories and research methods used in Futures studies. Differences and points of intersection with social science research practice will be examined, presenting lessons learned in application to policy and planning research. The discussions will focus on the relationship of futures studies to social research, considering the potentials and limits of collaboration and integration. Full details and Booking are available at http://www.the-sra.org.uk/events.htm
2 for 1 offer – buy 1 place and get the second place free
Competencies for Social Research
June 26, 2009
Skills development for PhDs – still a bugbear in some quarters – started off with a study of STEM subjects. But a recent conference call indicates how the professional practitioners in Social Science see skiils as key – and underestimated – see below
Developing professional competencies for high
quality social research and evaluation
30th June 2009; British Library
The credibility of social research and evaluation rests on three pillars of excellence:
standards, ethics and competencies.
In both social research and evaluation quality standards and ethical norms have emerged but their implementation rests on the deployment of adequate competencies.
The obstacles to effective commissioning of research and evaluation studies were explored at a joint SRA‐UKES event in October 2008.
You are now invited to explore the issue of professional competencies for social research and evaluation at another joint
SRA‐UKES event
This session should be of vital interest to commissioners, researchers, evaluators and their managers. It will combine expert panel presentations and interactive sessions
focused on seeking answers to the following questions:
• What are the substantive knowledge and skills necessary for high quality research and evaluation?
• What are the technical, interpersonal and managerial qualities required of research and evaluation professionals?
• Are these competencies the same across social research and evaluation? Do they differ across different sectors and disciplines?
• What are the implications for education and training of research and evaluation
professionals?
A fulsome debate is expected.
Healthcare Business Analyst
June 23, 2009
J and D Associates
Deadline: 30 June 2009
Healthcare
Forecasting & business analytics team
Location: London
Travel: Some European & USA
Job Description:
Healthcare consulting company providing decision support services to the international pharmaceutical and biochemistry industry. Following 4 years of impressive growth within the business an exciting opportunity for a business analyst to join our growing team.
A recent graduate with 2-3 years relevant post graduate experience.
Numerate and with an analytic mind, the ideal candidate will have experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech/healthcare industry. Similar industry experience is also welcome. Experience in working in market analysis and forecasting or highly quantitative analyst type role is ideal.
Agency/consultancy and/or client side experience in secondary data, business analysis, modelling and forecasting.
Statistical background beneficial.
A natural team-player, with excellent analytical and organisational skills coupled with excellent communication and writing skills.
To apply, please send your email to sdavies@janddassociates.com
Patient Safety Information Analyst
June 22, 2009
Full time 37.5 hrs pw
NHS West Midlands has recently restructured its Patient Safety Action Team. The Patient Safety Information Analyst post is a new position which will provide a high quality service in leading the information management function. The post holder will monitor patient safety information including developing new sources of data. The post holder will undertake analysis of data and provide information to Trusts, the Strategic Health Authority and Department of Health on trends and will ensure the SHA meets National requirements. In addition, the post holder will produce reports, manage transition in system changes and monitor other action plans received by the Patient Safety Action Team. The post holder will also ensure effective information governance within the Patient Safety Action Team.
The post holder will work closely with the Head of Patient Safety & Quality, key members of the Patient Safety Action Team, NHS West Midlands and external colleagues within Trusts, Primary Care Trusts and other external partner organisations.
The successful candidate must posses either a Health Sciences or other appropriate degree with experience in, numeracy, statistical analysis and research. In addition the post holder must provide evidence of post graduate further education. Significant experience in health services would be advantageous but is not essential.
You must be prepared to gain knowledge of the work of patient safety in the NHS and the national guidance on the Serious Untoward Incidents reporting process. Essential for this post are excellent IT, Information, analytical, report writing and organisational skills.
If you have the qualities in this advertisement and you are looking for a new challenge, then we want to hear from you. You will have the opportunity for career progression by undertaking a personal development programme.
How to Apply
Heather O’Neill, Head of Patient Safety & Quality or Aly Hulme, Patient Safety Manager,
Tel: 0121 213 1995
Application packs available via www.jobs.nhs.uk. CV’s are not acceptable.
Closing date: 14th July 2009
Interview date: 5th August 2009
Consulting Insight – one day course
June 19, 2009
Find out about this job area
1st July in London
Sign up at
accenture.com/ukschemes
Science to Consulting?
June 19, 2009
JOB: Research Consultant
Salary: circa £23,000 per annum plus discretionary bonus and benefits
The position is a great opportunity to develop research, consultancy and business skills whilst gaining experience within an innovative company offering early responsibility and interesting challenges. Reporting to the Head of Innovation Consultancy, you will undertake research and analysis, prepare proposals, write reports and be an active team member in a range of innovation projects undertaken by our Innovation Services team.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Participating in project assignments as project team member, ensuring allotted part of the project is carried out to budget and to time
- Undertaking desk and field-based research
- Anaylsis of findings
- Preparing reports and proposals
- Attending client meetings and events
- Contributing to business development activities
Person specification:
- Degree level education (or equivalent) in scientific subject
- Well-developed research and report writing skills
- Experience within a business environment
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain standards whilst working under pressure
- High degree of computer literacy
- Team-worker
- Ability to manage own time
- Proactive
- Enthusiasm for technology
Please email your CV and covering letter to the address below.
Apply email: oxfordrecruitment@sqwgroup.com
Careers Advice – What is it?
June 12, 2009
A PhD student of 10 years ago might have been bemused at the thought of consulting a careers adviser.
He or she would consider that they were on a career track: what would there be to talk about?
That was then and this is now.
The production of PhD’s has long outstripped the number of openings for academic research roles. Opportunities in industrial research have grown rapidly in some areas but not others; and in any case they have frequently become ‘clustered’ in large research centres not easily accessible.
So there are many questions for the contemporary PhD student to answer.
How can I maximise my chances in the competition for post-docs, fellowships or teaching posts? Is there anything over and above the sine qua non of excellent, innovative work, dissemination and publication? Oh and luck.
What else can I do?
What else am I fit for?
Is doing something else a sort of step down or a step over to the ‘dark side’? Ask this question in a room full of PhD’s and you get a lot of nervous laughter. It always touches some deep chord.
If I can do it and am fit for it – do I have a chance of getting it?
Questions. Questions. Questions.
A PI said this to me this year, “In science we ask a series of very simple questions.”
It’s the same in careers: a series of simple questions with not very obvious answers.
Careers Advice is a piece of action research. It’s a learning conversation. It’s a look before you leap.
Technology marketing internship
June 11, 2009
Marketing Internship for a Social Networking Internet Start-up
Duration: Full time for 3 months with the possibility of full time employment at end
Pay: £7.80/hour
Apply: email CV and covering letter to james.cook@webjam-ltd.com
Reporting to the Business Development director and the Marketing Director, the Marketing Intern will work to support Webjam’s marketing activities. A fun, exciting and challenging role that covers various areas from PR to Google analytics, with opportunities to be creative, use your initiative and be proactive.
Responsibilities include:
- Drafting and researching newsletters and press releases
- Monitoring Google Ad Word campaigns
- Analysing Webjam’s online statistics and helping to prepare slides for monthly board meeting
- Preparation for Webjam exhibitions at major conferences
- Participate in brainstorming ideas for marketing campaigns
- Researching and applying for grants
- Helping with SEM and SEO for Webjam Partners
- General: research, webjam demo building, posting information on webjam, updating media lists, helping with admin tasks
Must have strong analytical skills.
Organised Crime (fascinating current job ad)
June 11, 2009
SOCA Officers
There’s a fine line between finance and fraud; IT and e-crime; human resources and people trafficking.
- And you’re it.
Salary: Entry level salary of £24,352 plus London Weighting Allowance of £3,162 per annum
Coming from a diverse range of backgrounds from finance and administration to IT and HR, our people’s understanding of complex business networks is a major driving force in our fight against organised crime. Working in teams with other officers, some from a law enforcement background, together they gather and evaluate the information we need to keep us more than one step ahead of the criminals.
The question is, how do we go about bringing down these networks that are responsible for so much human misery – from the violation of identity fraud to the horror of people smuggling? Quite simply, we need to think like them.
How to Apply
Please note, all applications are subject to successful DV clearance and all applicants need to have held UK residency for five of the last ten years.
Closing date for completed applications: Wednesday 24th June 2009.
Consulting in Healthcare (Neuroscience)
June 10, 2009
I spotted some interesting current jobs in the Consulting firm Datamonitor.
They have Graduate analyst and Associate programmes which would be a good way in for PhD graduates.
They also have some jobs that are specifically concerned with their Healthcare practice – one job cites a requirement for someone with a PhD in Life Sciences – preferably Neuroscience.
