Job Summary
The University of Exeter Clinical Trials Unit (ExeCTU) is seeking a graduate level Statistics and Data Management Support Officer. You will work as part of the experienced ExeCTU team providing statistical and data management support to the research projects being managed by ExeCTU. This role offers an exciting training package where you will receive full fees (Home fees only) to complete a UK-based MSc programme in a relevant field such as Medical Statistics or Health Data Science on a part-time basis with protected study time. You will gain excellent experience to advance your career and learn about the importance of statistical and data management skills in clinical trials.
This role is part of the Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) scheme and offers a full-time contract for 23 months initially with the potential to extend. This role sits within ExeCTU and is available from July 2023. Hybrid working is available, and you will be based at St Luke’s Campus in Exeter.
Key Dates
Closing Date: 30/5/23
Interview Date: w/c 12/6/23
Start Date: July/August 2023
Duration: 23 months with the potential to extend.
Salary: £22,715 to £24,587 per annum + the MsC programme fees
Purpose of the Role
Working as part of the experienced ExeCTU team, you will provide statistical and data management support for research projects being developed and managed by ExeCTU and other research within the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences including the new Exeter Biomedical Research Centre.
Aims
- To gain experience of working in a multi-disciplinary CTU team on clinical trials in a variety of clinical areas.
- To develop an understanding of statistical skills needed for the design and analysis of clinical trials and to gain understanding of the role of a statistician in clinical trials.
- To develop data management skills using electronic data capture and other data management and statistical software.
- To register for a relevant MSc programme (e.g. in Medical Statistics) and to pursue this on a part-time basis during the post with the intention of being close to completion at the end of the GBP post.
Objectives
- To join one or more clinical trials as a team member and to provide support in statistical tasks, under the guidance of senior statisticians. This will include tasks such as helping to develop trial documentation relevant to the statistical and data management aspects of the post. Full training in statistical software packages, such as Stata, will be provided.
- To provide support to the data management team with regard to developing processes for data system design specification, maximising data quality and completeness, data visualisation and data reporting, under the guidance of senior data managers.
- To undertake relevant training, including a Master’s programme, and other training specific to clinical trials, such as Good Clinical Practice.
- To become familiar with the administrative workings of a busy CTU.
Duties and Responsibilities
You will assist with:
- The production of quantitative reports and trial documentation, with guidance from senior statisticians
- Data management tasks, such as data entry and data cleaning, data visualisations and data reporting, as assigned by a senior data manager
You will become a part of the multi-disciplinary CTU team, for example, attending CTU and trial-specific meetings.
You will have strong numerical skills, excellent IT skills, and the ability to work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. You will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, and contribute to preparation of research reports and publications, including reports to external bodies. In addition, you will be able to demonstrate strong organisational and communication skills, and to be part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Training and Development - What Skills and Experience will this Opportunity Provide?
- This exciting training post will provide on-the-job training as part of our growing statistics and data teams, learning about the importance of statistical and data management skills in clinical trials.
- As well as developing knowledge and skills through working as part of the ExeCTU team, you will be supported to undertake an MSc in Medical Statistics (or similar) on a part-time basis over 2 years, with MSc fees (Home fees only – international students will need to top-up) included as part of the training package associated with this post. It is anticipated that this will require an overall time commitment of 20% across the part-time MSc period, with actual commitment varying according to the requirements of the MSc programme. There are several UK- based MSc programmes that would be suitable, some online only and others with short periods on-campus. Discussions will be held in early summer 2023 with senior CTU staff as to which MSc would be appropriate, with the intention of commencing MSc studies in autumn 2023.
At the end of the training post, and on completion of the MSc, you will be well-placed to move into a statistical role, or other role, as part of building a career in clinical trials. The CTU also has opportunities for further education.
You will be asked to complete the university’s mandatory online training in:
- Prevent Duty - Inclusive, Cohesive and Safe Universities
- Equality and Diversity Introduction
- Health and Safety Introduction
- Information Governance
- CTU mandatory training as part of your induction period.
Support Available
- You will receive support from your line manager, plus other senior members of the statistics team and data management team.
- As part of the day-to-day work, there will be on-the-job training as well as opportunities to shadow more experienced staff within ExeCTU.
- There will be regular meetings with the line manager, and other team leads (including for data), as well as other CTU staff.
- We currently have two other GBPs within the CTU who can offer buddy-type support. If appropriate, mentoring can also be offered.
- The university offers extensive support to staff, including a structured Professional Development Review and Wellbeing Service plus 1:1 support from the Internships Team.
The Benefits
You will have access to a wide range of benefits, rewards and recognition from the University including:
- Flexible/hybrid working.
- Generous pension
- A holiday allowance of 39 days per year
- Totum Card (student discount)
- Salary Exchange Schemes such as the Cycle to Work Scheme
- Discounted membership to the university's sports facilities including cricket centre, indoor/outdoor pools, squash courts and fitness centres.
- The university offers extensive support to staff, including a structured Professional Development Review and Wellbeing Service plus 1:1 support from the Internships Team.
- All Graduates are offered a ‘how to make the most of your internship’ guide.
- You will have access to the university’s Career Mentor Scheme and career consultancy opportunities.
- You will have access to the university’s extensive suite of online training which includes Excel, presentation skills, and negotiation skills.
- You will be invited to ‘The Graduate Network’ events exclusively for GBPs and their line managers.
About You (Person Specification)
E=Essential D=Desirable
Degree and Attainment
- Undergraduate degree (or nearing completion) from a UK university within the past 3 years in statistics/maths or relevant programme (with a high quantitative component), with a minimum of a 2.1 award (achieved or anticipated). (E)
- You must have had their degree awarded prior to the start date.
Skills
- Good written and verbal communication skills (E)
- Computer literate – familiar with MS Office software, including Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Excel (E)
- Good analytical skills (E)
- Familiarity with statistical software packages, e.g., R, Stata (D)
Personal Qualities and Attributes
- Ability to maintain accurate records.
- Ability to organise and prioritise own workloads considering the requirements of competing tasks and deadlines.
- Able to liaise with colleagues.
- Actively participate as a member of a research team
- Understand equal opportunity issues as they may impact on areas of research content.
- An understanding of the importance of equality and diversity within an organisation and a commitment to helping create an inclusive culture.
Knowledge
- Mathematical and statistical skills, commensurate with an undergraduate degree with a strong quantitative component.
About the University Department
Exeter Clinical Trials Unit (ExeCTU) is a busy department, with around 30 staff. The CTU is rapidly growing and has full registration with the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC), which assesses CTUs on a range of standards to assure quality of trial conduct. ExeCTU staff work in collaboration with researchers and clinicians across the trial lifecycle: refining research questions, optimising study design, developing funding applications, trial set-up and delivery, analysis, write-up, and dissemination.
Our trial portfolio includes studies in dementia, mental health, orthopedics, diabetes, emergency medicine and Covid-19, supported by funding from the NIHR, UKRI, Horizon2020, large charities and others. Studies include regulated drug trials, surgical, device and apps trials, and trials of complex interventions, locally in the Southwest, nationally and internationally. Our talented multi-disciplinary team of experts includes statisticians, trial managers, data managers, IT developers and quality assurance staff. Based on St Luke’s Campus within the University of Exeter, the CTU offers excellent opportunities for training and development.
Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) Scheme Requirements
- To undertake a graduate role through the GBP scheme, you must have either achieved your degree or be in your final year at any UK-based university.
- If you are in your final year, your working hours may be reduced to 15 hours per week (for undergraduates) or 6 hours per week (for postgraduates) to ensure you have the capacity to successfully complete your degree. More hours can be completed if your academic agrees and provides written confirmation.
- If you do not pass your degree, the GBP role will end early.
- You must have graduated in the UK within the last 3 years of your most recent degree (we will consider extenuating circumstances of potential applicants that may have prevented them from undertaking a graduate role within 3 years of graduation).
- The University of Exeter is committed to developing an environment which promotes equality of opportunity, values diversity, and inclusivity.
- Learn about the university’s commitment to the Disability Confident scheme here
- At the time of starting employment, the successful candidate must have permission to work in the UK and evidence must be provided in advance of the appointment. Examples of suitable evidence can be found in the Intern Guidance- Proving Right to Work the UK guide. Candidates should continue to have permission for the duration of the GBP contract. This includes British citizens, individuals with an EU Pre-Settlement or EU-Settlement Status; and those with a Graduate Route Visa.
- All graduates need to reside in the UK whilst undertaking this role.
How to Apply
- Download and complete the attached Internship Application Form. CVs cannot be accepted.
- Guidance and useful tips for completing your application are found on the Internship Application Form.
- Refer to the job details contained within the advert when writing your personal statement.
- Use the STAR approach to evidence each requirement in the Person Specification.
- You should insert the correct reference code on the application form: GBP 6730
- Please save your Internship Application Form as ‘your name - GBP 6730’
- The University is a Disability Confident employer and as such this policy applies to recruitment through GBP Scheme. Applicants who identify a disability on the application form will be offered an interview if their application demonstrates they meet the essential criteria. Please also include details of any reasonable adjustments you may need for an interview or to undertake the role.
- You should explain why you would like to work for the employing organisation and why you think you would be a suitable candidate for this role.
- Send your completed application (not by OneDrive) to internships@exeter.ac.uk, with the reference code: GBP 6730 in the subject bar of your email, by the closing date.
How to apply
Please apply by completing the Internship Application Form (downloadable here: http://ex.ac.uk/bqu), following instructions on the form and returning it to The Internships Team at internships@exeter.ac.uk as an email attachment by the closing date: 30/05/2023. We do not accept CVs so please make sure you send a completed application form.
The Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) Scheme is a University of Exeter managed scheme to connect recent graduates with recommended employers in the South West and beyond. The scheme is open to all graduates who have studied at a UK based university in the last 3 years. There are benefits offered to you in addition to those from the employer, these include:
- Access to the University of Exeter's Career Mentor Scheme - one of the largest and most successful mentoring schemes in the UK
- Access to learning and development resources through My Career Zone Digital
- Invitations to quarterly networking and development events through The Graduate Network, exclusively for GBPs and their line managers
To learn about all the latest GBP roles, you can join the mailing list for the weekly GBP Bulletin by emailing the team at internships@exeter.ac.uk