Scientific Adviser

Job overview

Are you a proactive and enthusiastic researcher with experience in health economics, health outcomes research or health technology assessment? Do you want to contribute to cutting-edge work to develop methods and policies in health and social care?

The Science Policy and Research team undertakes research and works with and influences external policy partners on issues related to the work of NICE. We work to develop methods for health technology assessment and guideline development, and encourages partners to commission research relevant to our research priority areas.

Our projects address some of the most challenging issues facing NICE. We have built up a broad portfolio of grant-funded multi-national research projects such as ERA4TB, IDERHA, AD-RIDDLE, PREDICTOM, EDiHTA, SUSTAIN-HTA and ASSESS-DHT. This work sits alongside our Health Technology Assessment innovation laboratory (HTA Lab) and our science policy activity, such as ensuring we have up-to-date methods for measuring and valuing quality of life so that we capture what matters most to patients and carers and developing options for including environmental sustainability in NICE’s outputs.

We are also proud to be collaborating with the MHRA on a Wellcome Trust funded project to produce guidance on how to regulate and evaluate digital mental health therapeutics. Our past research and projects are profiled on the NICE website.

Main duties of the job

The Scientific Advisers within the SP&R team are responsible for a range of activities, including:

1. Conducting research, analysing data and disseminating findings in collaboration with partners in the UK and internationally.
2. Developing NICE responses to science policy issues. Typically, a policy response is needed when new research findings, or new policy decisions by government or regulators, mean that NICE’s policies or methods require updating.
3. Working with colleagues across NICE to identify and prioritise areas where methodological research is needed.
4. Working with colleagues across NICE to encourage the implementation and adoption of research findings in NICE’s methods and processes.
5. Developing applications for research funding in collaboration with partners in the UK and internationally.
6. Engaging with stakeholders and partner organisations.

It is essential for the post holder to have experience in health technology assessment of digital technologies.

Working for our organisation

We can offer you a great place to work with good benefits, flexible working, and a supportive, friendly, and inclusive environment.

We offer a range of benefits including:

• NHS pension scheme which is one of the most generous in the UK.
• We promote flexible working to help staff achieve a healthy work life balance including work from home, compressed hours and flexi start/finish times.
• Access to a Blue Light Card which includes a wide range of discounts from major retailers, restaurants and more.
• Holiday entitlement which starts from 27 days plus Bank Holidays
• Access to modern offices with showers, bike storage facilities and refreshments such as tea and coffee.
• Access to Staff Networks including Disability Advocacy and Wellbeing Network, Women In NICE, Race Equality Network, NICE and Proud, Eco-NICE, Change Agent Network. Equality and Diversity is highly valued in the organisation.
• Personal development tailored to your needs.

If you feel this is the type of environment, you will enjoy working in then please feel free to contact us for more information or apply now.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To be considered for this role, you should be able to particularly demonstrate the person specification criteria in the job advert in your application. However, applicants should be able to demonstrate all essential criteria through the entirety of the recruitment process to be considered for the job.

Please see job description attached for full list of responsibilities.

Person specification

Experience

• Experience in conducting methods research and disseminating findings, with proven examples

Experience

• Experience of representing an organisation in meetings with external international stakeholders, with proven examples

Experience

• Experience of health technology assessment of digital technologies, with proven examples

Experience

• Experience of developing proposals for research funding, with proven examples

Skills

• Ability to establish effective working relationships and engage effectively with a wide range of senior stakeholders and policy makers from multiple countries, with proven examples

Skills

• Ability to effectively lead complex projects and deliver work of a high standard with conflicting and demanding deadlines, with proven examples

Skills

• Ability to build consensus on scientific and policy issues when there are conflicting views, with proven examples