Senior Research Fellow (Health Services Research)

Job Description

The National University of Singapore invites applications for Senior Research Fellow (Health Services Research) in the Centre for Research in Health Systems Performance, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

About the Centre for Research in Health Systems Performance (CRiHSP)

Optimizing the performance of health systems is essential to ensuring the wellbeing and longevity of populations worldwide. Singapore is particularly well placed to lead research in this field as its health system has been consistently ranked as one of the best in the world based on independent evaluation with the Global Burden of Disease data. The new Centre for Research in Health Systems Performance (CRiHSP) aims to advance research in this area within the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine of the National University of Singapore (NUS) as the leading centre for research in health systems in Asia with the following core functions:

1. Research: empirical and methodological research and evidence synthesis on health systems performance with a particular focus on Value Based Healthcare.
2. Health policy intelligence: health policy impact analysis aimed at policy makers, service providers, researchers, and the wider public.
3. Capacity building: formal postgraduate programme (from certificates to PhD), fellowships, mentoring, on-the-job and ad hoc training.
4. Contributing to improving NUHS performance: expert advice on the development, implementation, and evaluation of flagship initiatives (including Healthier SG) aimed at making step changes in NUHS performance, and programme evaluation.

Job Description

The multidisciplinary team of researchers in health systems (health services and policy researchers, data scientists, social scientists, and others), and administrators working in CRiHSP will provide an exciting and dynamic place in which people of diverse backgrounds collaborate towards the common goal of achieving excellence in Health Systems Research. The team will further benefit from a significant expansion in related fields and collaborations with the Department of Family Medicine at the National University Health System (NUHS), the new Centre for Sustainable Medicine (CoSM) and the Centre for Behavioural and Implementation Sciences Interventions (BISI) at the School of Medicine and the Saw See Hock School of Public Health.

NUS offers highly competitive remuneration packages. The successful applicant will be offered an annual salary plus benefits commensurate with his or her qualifications, experience and expertise and will have access to travel support to disseminate research outcomes at international academic conferences.

The position is a 2-year full-time appointment at the academic rank of Senior Research Fellow (particularly strong applications at the level of Research Fellow will be considered). An option to renew the appointment for subsequent years will depend on performance and continued funding for the project. There is the possibility to move to tenure track depending on performance. Start date is flexible, with the position expected to commence in the first half of 2024.

Purpose of the post

CRiHSP is hiring a highly motivated and experienced postdoctoral researcher. The successful candidate will bring a combination of technical expertise in health services and policy research and evaluation combined with experience translating science and evidence into real-world change. They will make a significant contribution to setting up and developing the centre at this crucial stage in relation to its research, training, evaluation and engagement areas of activity. The successful candidate will report to the CRiHSP Director of Research. The role provides a rare opportunity to work at the centre of this rapidly evolving field, shaping the future of healthcare and clinical practice.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The responsibilities include:

• Establishing an independent research programme as aligned with CRiHSP priorities by securing external funding;
• Supervising junior research staff in data collection, analysis and dissemination;
• Contributing to research programmes and projects led by other researchers in CRiHSP;
• Facilitating the integration and curation of clinical and other routinely collected data across NUHS;
• Contributing to postgraduate course design and teaching and on-the-job training of evaluation fellows;
• Mentoring of students and junior researchers.

Please note that this job description is not intended to be exhaustive. Duties and responsibilities outlined may be amended during appointment, in light of changing circumstances. In addition to these duties, the post holder will be expected to be flexible in their role as the CRiHSP's capacity evolves.

Qualifications

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria:

Qualifications

• A recognized Doctoral degree in Health Services Research, Public Health, Health Policy or a closely related field with a strong post-doctoral research record (essential).

Experience

• At least 4 years' postdoctoral experience in health services research.
• Proven track record in handling and analyzing healthcare data (essential).
• Track record of publishing in international peer-reviewed journals (essential).
• Researchers with existing research activities related to Value Based Health Care are particularly encouraged to apply.

Skills and Personal Attributes:

• Strong communication skills in English, both written and spoken (essential).
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team (essential).
• Highly developed problem-solving skills and adept at managing complex research data (essential).
• Evidence of potential to generate and maintain an independent stream of funding (essential).
• Outcome-orientation with excellent organizational and project management skills, and attention to detail (essential).
• Ability to work with culturally diverse populations (essential).