Senior Research Fellow - Evidence Synthesis Methodology Lead-Centre for Health Research Methodology, School of Nursing & Midwifery 011341
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time Specific Purpose position as a Senior Research Fellow (Evidence Synthesis Methodology Lead) in Evidence Synthesis based in the Centre for Health Research Methodology at the University of Galway, Ireland.
The position is available 1st Nov 2025 to 30th Nov 2030 (61 months)
Centre for Health Research Methodology
Located within the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS) at University of Galway, the Centre for Health Research Methodology (CHRM) is renowned for its dynamism, innovation and contributions to the world of health research. With a keen focus on improving the design, conduct, reporting, and application of evidence synthesis and randomised trial findings, CHRM has positioned itself as a global leader in its domain.
In addition to championing improved research methodologies, the Centre actively engages in spearheading its own randomised trials and evidence syntheses. This hands-on approach ensures that the Centre stays at the cutting edge of advancements in healthcare research, continually pushing the boundaries of what's known and understood.
Housing three established/recognised research organisations, CHRM brings together the best of health research in Ireland:
- HRB-Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN): A collaborative initiative, the HRB-TMRN aims to improve the quality and impact of randomised trials. Through its network, it fosters enhanced methodologies, training, and collaboration in trials, laying the foundation for more robust and reliable clinical studies. Delve into its expansive network and contributions at HRB-TMRN.
- Evidence Synthesis Ireland (ESI): With a commitment to enhancing the quality and capacity of evidence synthesis on the island of Ireland, ESI provides invaluable resources, training, and expertise. Their focus lies in ensuring that health and social care decisions, both within and outside Ireland, are informed by high-quality, timely research evidence. Discover more about their transformative work at Evidence Synthesis Ireland.
- Cochrane Ireland: A pivotal part of the global Cochrane network, Cochrane Ireland dedicates itself to improving healthcare decision-making through high-quality, relevant, and up-to-date synthesised research evidence. Their endeavours ensure that healthcare policies and practices are grounded in reliable scientific evidence. Learn more about their mission and impact at Cochrane Ireland.
In addition to hosting HRB-TMRN, ESI, and Cochrane Ireland, the Centre strongly focuses on a central pillar of an Informed Public. We believe an informed public is key to healthcare advancement and aim to demystify healthcare research through public engagement initiatives. Similarly, we strive to bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring access to clear and accurate health information for well-informed health choices. In an era of rapid misinformation spread, fostering critical thinking is imperative. We equip individuals with skills to critically evaluate health information through various resources and programmes. Example projects in these domains include The People's Trial.
Job Description:
This Senior Research Fellow position requires an established researcher who will play a leading role in planning, conducting, and delivering prioritised national and international evidence syntheses while building capacity in these activities. The role demands extensive experience and expertise in evidence synthesis methodology, coupled with proven leadership skills on an international level and an established research reputation.
The successful candidate will lead a substantial program of work within the Centre's synthesis pillar, taking responsibility for major synthesis research projects and their overall success. They will play a key role in developing research strategies within the Centre and must contribute significantly to securing research funding. The candidate will lead and co-supervise research teams, mentor junior researchers and PhD students, and contribute to the ESI training programme.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate an established track record of contributing substantively to securing significant research funding, have a proven ability to lead regional, national and international collaborative synthesis projects, and possess sufficient specialist knowledge to act as a research leader in evidence synthesis.
Duties
Research Leadership
- Lead and manage a specific programme of research and scholarship in evidence synthesis, defining research objectives and conducting substantive, original and significant research
- Play a leading role in regional, national and international collaborative research projects, taking responsibility for creating and establishing research programmes
- Develop innovative methods and techniques in evidence synthesis that add to the intellectual understanding of the field
- Act as the driver of research projects and outputs, independently identifying research projects to be carried out individually or by teams
- Collaborate with international teams to plan and execute evidence syntheses, maintaining expertise in cutting-edge evidence synthesis methodology
- Lead evidence syntheses across diverse study designs and conduct primary synthesis methodology research
Salary: Research Fellow salary scale €80,149- €86,014 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.
The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale.
(Research Salary Scales - University of Galway)
Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on 24th September, 2025. It will not be possible to consider applications received after the closing date.
*Please review full job description for further details and essential requirement.