Founded in 1884 Bangor University has a long tradition of academic excellence and a strong focus on the student experience. Our research has been ranked highly in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), with 85% of output judged to be world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*). Bangor’s research in its UoA3 submission is ranked 15th overall in the UK. The University has been consistently successful in the National Student Survey results and is regularly amongst the UK’s top 10 Universities for student satisfaction (excluding specialist institutions).
As part of our commitment to the continued expansion of medical, pharmaceutical and health sciences at Bangor University, the North Wales Medical School seeks to appoint a Senior Lecturer/Reader in Epidemiology to help deliver its research and impact strategy. The successful candidate will develop exciting areas of new research in epidemiology, to enhance current initiatives in clinical trials, health economics, medicines-related research, or primary and community care. Available opportunities also include exploiting the unique opportunities presented by the linkage of routine data in Wales, and multidisciplinary research aligned with the One Health agenda.
The postholder will contribute to the development, leadership and delivery of teaching within the newly formed North Wales Medical School undergraduate programme, with an average 0.2 FTE commitment for which the postholder will be responsible to the Dean of Medicine. The post-holder will also contribute to driving the success of other undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, including formal taught modules, small study groups and co-ordination/delivery of Masters research projects as well as PhD supervision.
On appointment, the post-holder is expected to lead on the recruitment of a permanent Lecturer scientist post in Health Data Science to provide further support for the development of biomedical research and teaching programmes within the NWMS. Candidates will possess a PhD or equivalent, have an analytical background gained in a related discipline (e.g. epidemiology, statistics, mathematics, engineering, data science), will have extensive research experience (including high impact publications, grant income and collaborations), and be an experienced educator.
The post is full-time and permanent, and the successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as practical. Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis. The post is subject to a satisfactory standard Disclosure & Barring Service check. The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable for this role. If applicants are not able to speak / write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so. This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.
Informal enquires can be made by contacting Professor Mike Larvin, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Medicine &; Health and Dean of Medicine, E-mail: m.larvin@bangor.ac.uk, tel: +44 (0)1248 382610 or Professor Dyfrig Hughes, Director of Research, E-mail: d.a.hughes@bangor.ac.uk, tel: +44 (0)1248 382950 Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.
Closing date for applications: 9 March 2025
Committed To Equal Opportunities
Overview
Bangor University Founded in 1884, as a result of fundraising by local quarrymen and farmers, Bangor University has a long tradition of academic excellence and a strong focus on the student experience. Our mission is for a research-led University of and for North Wales, providing transformative learning experiences and nurturing a positive impact on society regionally, nationally, and internationally driven by our ‘Strategy 2030’. Around 10,000 students currently study at the University, with teaching staff based within 11 Academic Schools across 3 Colleges. Bangor University’s research has been ranked highly in the Government’s most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), with 85% judged to be world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*). Bangor’s research in Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy is ranked 15th overall in the UK in REF2021. This academic year Bangor University was named Welsh University of the Year in the Daily Mail’s first ever University Guide, also being placed in their top 50 amongst UK Universities. The University has also been consistently successful in the National Student Survey results and is regularly amongst the UK’s top 10 Universities for student satisfaction. In the 2024 National Student Survey, eight of 10 of our students were satisfied with their course quality, an increase of 10% from last year. Overall satisfaction increased across all themes, including 86% for teaching satisfaction and 85% for academic support. Biomedical Science students from the North Wales Medical School reported 100% satisfaction. In the 2024 ‘Student Crowd’ University Awards, based solely on student reviews, the University was top 10 ranked for Personal Tutors, also featuring in the top 20 for Value for Money, Teaching Quality, Clubs and Societies, and Course Content. The University’s reputation for sustainability featured in the QS World Rankings, placing it in the top 10% of the most sustainable universities worldwide. The University was ranked 44th out of 134 UK Universities in the 2024 Sunday Times Good University Guide. Bangor was placed 54th of 122 UK universities in the Guardian University Guide 2024, a rise of 28 places from the previous year. Unifresher’s 'Alternative University League Table’, which considers factors such as the cost of living, student social life, crime rates and sustainability, placed Bangor University top of 94 UK universities. The ‘WhatUni’ Student Choice Awards placed Bangor University first in Wales and 15th of 92 UK Universities.
We hold an Athena SWAN Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.
The Project
College of Medicine and Health
The College of Medicine and Health has a focus on mental and physical health education and science across three schools: the School of Psychology &; Sport Science, School of Health Sciences and the North Wales Medical School. The College has a strong track record of world-leading teaching and research excellence and high levels of student satisfaction, aiming to work across traditional boundaries between physical and mental health, illness and preventative medicine, and promote excellent teamwork by healthcare staff. The College provides professional training across a growing range of medical and healthcare professions, in addition to a range of core foundational research activities which underpin strong contributions to medical, pharmaceutical and health research, research methods, translational science, psychology and neuroscience, preventive health, rehabilitation, clinical intervention, human performance and applied physiology. The College boasts excellent teaching and research facilities at our campus sites and at our clinical partner centres in collaboration with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. This enables an integrated approach to developing research, training, medical and healthcare education that best serves the needs of North Wales.
North Wales Medical School is the focus for medical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical research and teaching at Bangor University. The school comprises of over 90 staff, delivering a career-spanning portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that continues to expand. These include existing programmes in Biomedical and Medical Sciences, Pharmacology, Physician’s Associate and the franchised Cardiff C21 North Wales medicine programme. From Autumn 2024 onwards, the University’s Welsh Government-backed North Wales Medical School will commence its new, independent Medicine programme, whilst a new Pharmacy MPharm programme is due to commence in 2025, subject to General Pharmaceutical Council approval. The School’s research centres are organised with partner schools within the Bangor Institute for Medical and Health Research (BIHMR), spanning medicines optimisation, primary care, clinical trials, health economics, ageing and dementia, public health and cancer biology and pharmacology. The School’s overall mission is to champion and promote excellent interprofessional medical, health and social care, research, scholarship, teaching and learning, quality and values with people who use services, practitioners, and stakeholders; to promote language and cultural competence relevant to local, national and international partners, and to provide an inclusive culture and environment for staff and students within the School. Building on the strengths of Bangor University and Cardiff University higher education provision, the Cardiff C21 North Wales Medicine programme is delivered at Bangor University through a collaborative approach, creating an excellent medical educational environment that exploits the unique characteristics of the region. The programme benefits from state-of-the-art campus facilities for basic science, clinical simulation and skills training. Clinical exposure is gained across an extensive network of General Practices, primary, community and secondary care facilities across North Wales in close collaboration with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Students gain a rich experience across urban, rural, and remote healthcare settings that reflect the spectacular geography of the region. The new independent North Wales Medical School programme will closely follow the current Cardiff C21 North Wales Medicine programme with Cardiff University School of Medicine acting as the contingency partner required by the GMC. Medical student intake consists of a mix of direct entry students who join Year 1, whilst graduate entrants complete a ‘catchup’ summer school before joining Year 2.
During Years 1 and 2, students build a solid foundation of medical science using a case-based learning approach, along with clinical skills and simulation training and early patient contact sessions. This prepares students for Year 3, which consists of an innovative longitudinal integrated clerkship based in a General Practice, with students living within and contributing to a local community. Years 4 and 5 comprises clinical rotations in hospital and primary care, in preparation for initial employment as NHS employment as Foundation House Officers.
The School’s research falls within five strategically-important themes, organised across four research centres, and aligned with the pillars of understanding human health, disease prevention, and treatment across the lifespan.
- Clinical trials. Our UKCRC registered clinical trials unit, the North Wales Organisation for Randomised Trials in Health & Social Care (NWORTH), collaborates on and delivers clinical trials and other rigorous studies from across the UK, with particular expertise in evaluations of complex interventions. Research excellence is achieved in clinical trial design, support and delivery and quantitative evaluations that exploit health data science.
- Health economics. The Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation (CHEME)’s Pharmaceutical Economics, Policy and Prescribing Research Group (PEPPER) is internationally renowned for its methodological research in economic evaluation and behavioural health economics; and applied research in the context of pharmaceuticals, health technologies and global health challenges.
- Medicines-related research. The Pharmaceutical Economics, Policy and Prescribing Research Group (PEPPER) conducts world-leading research to achieve a person-centred approach to prescribing. This focuses on improving medication adherence, personalising treatment through the application of pharmacogenomics, and utilising pharmacoeconomic and pharmacoepidemiologic evaluations to achieve safer, more effective and cost-effective use of medicines. With developments in pharmacy and pharmacology, research across the translational continuum will be supported.
- Primary and community care. The North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research (NWCPCR) conducts internationally-leading research on the early diagnosis of cancer in primary care, and the provision of palliative care in the community. Using clinical trials and economic evaluations, specific areas of focus include general practice focussed interventions to diagnose cancer earlier, de-medicalisation of dying, role substitution and carer empowerment.
- Cancer biology and pharmacology. Research undertaken at the North West Cancer Research Institute (NWCRI) focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer and translational research to improve cancer detection and treatment.
PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
- To establish a research portfolio based on winning competitively-awarded funding in Epidemiology to enhance current initiatives across the North Wales Medical School.
- To maintain and grow a world-class profile of publications in peer-reviewed journals of international standing.
- To contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, including a 0.2 FTE contribution to the development, leadership and delivery of teaching and student project supervision within the newly formed North Wales Medical School undergraduate programme for which the postholder will be responsible to the Dean of Medicine, and supervision of project and PhD students, postdoctoral scientists, and clinical fellows.
- To provide pastoral and academic support to undergraduate and postgraduate students To undertake administrative duties as designated by the Head of School.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Research duties:
- Conduct internationally-excellent or world-leading research within the North Wales Medical School and in collaboration with relevant partners within and outside the University.
- Management of research projects, with an emphasis on grant capture and research output of a quality and quantity to contribute positively to future Research Excellence Framework submissions.
- Supervision of PhD level research students to completion, and undertake PhD examining in the UK and internationally.
Teaching duties:
- Appropriate levels of contribution to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and the development of teaching plans, policies and activities within the School, reviews and Quality Assurance assessments, to an average of 0.2 FTE as determined by the Dean of Medicine
- Lead curriculum development and design within the subject area. Contribution to teaching development plans, policies and activities (significant and sustained contribution for Reader).
- Supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate projects, and the planning, preparation and delivery of high-quality lectures and tutorials. Fulfilling the role of personal tutor to a number of undergraduate and postgraduate students, providing advice, guidance and support.
Administrative and Wider Contribution duties will include:
- Contribute to addressing aspects of Student Experience, recruitment and retention (significant and sustained contribution for Reader).
- Contribute to the School’s management and leadership, (e.g. participate in the administration of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes) and (for Reader) contribution to academic management, planning, governance and policy formation at University, College and School level.
- Undertake other administrative duties and responsibilities as directed by the Head of School.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
This list of duties is not meant to be exhaustive, but merely an indication of the main areas of activity of the post. It may be amended or added to, at the discretion of the Head of School, with other duties commensurate with the function and grade following consultation with the post-holder.
- The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
- The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.
- The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/her self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
- The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential:
- PhD or equivalent doctoral qualification in a subject area relevant to Epidemiology.
- Relevant postdoctoral or equivalent experience.
- Three years substantial teaching experience (for conversion to HEA Fellowship within 3 years of appointment); or Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHE) (or equivalent); or recognised as a Fellow by the HEA or by Advance HE (against Descriptor 2 of the UKPSF).
Experience/Knowledge Research
Essential:
- Evidence of record of lead authorship of research published in high quality referred journals (a sustained record for Reader).
- Record of management of research groups and a portfolio of research activity, development of research proposals and management of research projects.
- Evidence of having supervised PhD students to completion (extensive and sustained for Reader).
- Evidence of success in securing external funding, from recognised research bodies. For Reader, evidence of recognition (e.g. Invited Plenary or Keynote presenter to academic conferences).
Desirable:
- Reviewer for funding bodies.
- Membership of journal editorial boards.
Teaching
Essential:
- Experience of teaching at higher education level with evidence of successful student learning outcomes (considerable experience for Reader).
- Experience of innovative approaches to course design, module development, learning and teaching and assessment practice.
- Evidence of excellence in teaching (e.g. teaching profile, peer observation, student feedback, teaching award).
Skills/Abilities
Essential:
- Expertise in analysis of large datasets including (for example) electronic health records, national audit datasets, longitudinal cohorts, Hospital Episode Statistics, primary care datasets or similar.
- Ability to lead research groups and facilitate, improve and inspire the work of colleagues.
- Excellent verbal and written skills.
- Demonstrable IT Skills (e.g. MS Office, VLE techniques and other forms of learning technologies).
- Ability to demonstrate innovative and exciting approaches to teaching and research.
Desirable:
- Experience and expertise in advanced statistical approaches, such as growth trajectory modelling, machine learning and/or causal inference techniques such as instrumental variable analysis; or bioinformatics skills.
- Evidence of successful external networking and profile-raising.
- Administrative and organisational experience, related to academic development or equivalent.
Other
Essential:
- Demonstrate an ability to communicate clearly in English, conveying ideas and concepts both verbally and in writing to a diverse audience.
Desirable:
- An appreciation of the bilingual context of health and care delivery across North Wales. If applicants are not able to speak / write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so.
General
The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.
We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.
All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.
We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas. If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.
Candidates should also note that they may be required to apply for an ATAS certificate (Academic Approval Technology Scheme) from the Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control Centre of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before being able to apply for a visa - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme
Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University's Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.
Disclosure & Barring Service
This post is subject to a satisfactory: enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.
As Bangor University meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions. DBS checks will be updated every 3 years.
Candidates should note that the University uses an external Umbrella body to process DBS checks. As such you should be aware that, if successful in your application, your name and e-mail contact details will be shared with the Umbrella body in order that they may contact you to start the application process.
