Research Associate in Health Economics

The Role

We are excited to offer this exciting opportunity for a Research Associate to join us in the School of Dental Sciences based in Newcastle.We are seeking a talented research associate with a strong background in health economics to work on an economic evaluation of care pathways for children with tooth decay in England, known as the NECTAR study. The research is funded through a NIHR Advanced Fellowship. You will work as part of a small but ambitious research team lead by Dr Helen Rogers, Senior Clinical Lecturer/Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry. The team includes a Patient and Public Involvement Lead, Project Manager, Steering Group and Patient/Public Advisory Group. This research sits within the Applied Oral Health Care research strand of the School of Dental Sciences.

The successful candidate will be actively involved in collating cost, outcome and carbon footprint data through a multi-site longitudinal study, undertaking an economic evaluation and decision modelling. You will also have opportunities to contribute to a qualitative research work package. The findings of this work will inform a series of recommendations on optimising care pathways for children with tooth decay in England, reducing inequities in care.

As this study is transdisciplinary in nature, we are particularly keen to hear from health economists with an interest in oral health research or sustainability, and an ability to engage with a diverse network of stakeholders. General research skills, plus basic skills in decision analytic modelling are required.

The Project

Dental caries (tooth decay) is the most common disease to affect children globally and has significant impacts on children's quality of life. In England, 29.3% of five-year-old children have caries, with children from the most deprived areas being 2.5 times more likely to have caries. Caries experience is significantly higher in minority ethnic groups. Caries is almost entirely preventable. Many children with caries are treated by General Dental Practitioners, yet a large proportion are referred on to secondary/tertiary care services to access treatment under inhalation sedation (IHS) or dental general anaesthetic (DGA). The care pathways that children follow to receive treatment vary substantially across the country, but it remains unknown whether these pathways result in different oral health outcomes for children. Treatment of caries remains the leading cause of hospital admission for children aged 5-9 years, with 31,165 DGAs undertaken in 2023/24 at a cost of £40.7 million. NHS Standards state each child undergoing a DGA should be assessed by a specialist or consultant in paediatric dentistry, yet the workforce is insufficient. Interestingly, there is no evidence to demonstrate the impact of specialist input for children treated for caries. Both DGA and the alternative, IHS, produce greenhouse gas emissions, whilst treatment involves a range of single-use plastic products. Furthermore, patient travel can be extensive, contributing to the NHS carbon footprint. There is a lack of data to inform modelling of the carbon footprint of dental services for children. The NHS has committed to a Plastic Reduction Pledge and a Net Zero 2040 target. The NECTAR study aims to facilitate a triple bottom line analysis (costs, outcomes and carbon footprint) of different care pathways for children with caries. Through identification of the optimal approach, it aims to inform future restructuring of care pathways for children with caries in England.

The NECTAR study comprises six interlinked work packages, as outlined below:

WP1 - geographical mapping

Care pathways and services across England for children with tooth decay will be mapped.

WP2 - longitudinal study (n=240)

Four diverse care pathways from WP1 will be selected. Children will be followed through their care pathway from diagnosis, until 6 months after treatment. A range of clinician-, child- and parent/carer-reported outcomes, costs and environmental impacts will be collected at different timepoints. A cost-utility analysis will be undertaken.

WP3 - qualitative interviews (Up to 30 interviews (up to 20 child-parent dyads and up to 10 clinicians))

A sub-sample from WP2 will be purposively sampled to explore child and parent/carer experiences. Clinicians' experiences will also be explored.

WP4 - economic and environmental modelling

The findings from the economic evaluation undertaken in WP2 will be extrapolated over a longer time horizon, and potential uncertainty around the parameters explored. Carbon footprinting will be undertaken.

WP5 - preference elicitation (n=352)

Preference elicitation surveys will be undertaken to identify which attributes of a care pathway matter most to children/parents.

WP6 - co-design of recommendations for policy makers on the optimal care pathway for children with caries

Implementation of more efficient care pathways nationally will improve outcomes for children, reduce inequalities in care and reduce waiting times, whilst NHS cost-savings can be reinvested in preventive care.

The research associate will be expected to contribute to all work packages within the NECTAR study, but with a primary focus on WP2, WP3 and WP4.

Further information about the NECTAR study can be found here:

The post is part time, 3 days per week, fixed term for a period of 5 years and 3 months, starting 1st September 2026, ending 30th November 2031.

We follow the Researcher Development Concordat: . We enable all colleagues to fulfil their research potential regardless of career stage. This commitment secures our thriving and vibrant research environment. Our offer to each individual and their researcher development includes mentoring, annual research planning discussions, pooled research funding to support career development and research activities, peer review support for the development of research and innovation funding applications.

We want you to feel confident when applying for a position with Newcastle University. If you’d like an informal discussion to clarify any points, please contact Dr Rogers via email: .

We are committed to making the process accessible to everyone and can provide additional support to adjustments to meet your needs.

Find out more about the School of Dental Sciences:

Find out more about our Research:

Key Accountabilities

• To conduct key parts of the specified project, predominantly focusing on work packages 2, 3 and 4
• Undertake training as required to enable the postholder to complete this work, as funded by the NECTAR study
• To assist in the coordination, management and follow-up of public advisory group and steering group meetings, events and workshops.
• Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project.
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research.
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations.
• Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications.
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding.

The above bullets should not be changed. The PI may add some key accountabilities that are specific to their project at the top of this list. They should limit these to an extra 5 bullet points maximum. Additions should be highlighted in yellow for review by People Services.

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Please note the below criteria will be used as part of your shortlisting matrix. Consider the impact of additional criteria on your ability to shortlist applicants effectively.

• Detailed subject knowledge of health economics, particularly in relation to conducting an economic evaluation
• Basic skills in decision modelling (training in advanced decision modelling will be provided as required)
• Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
• Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
• Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
• The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems.
• Awareness of the research environment
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capacity
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity
• Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications

Desirable

• Prior experience of qualitative research
• Prior experience of sustainability research and carbon footprinting
• Knowledge of the structure of NHS dental services for children in England

Attributes and Behaviour

• Highly organised, efficient, and able to perform tasks with accuracy and high research integrity
• Engaged and capable of working well, while contributing to the positive and inclusive research environment (i.e. community-minded, respectful and kind to colleagues)
• Demonstrated original thought, contribution of ideas, problem-solving ability and willingness to learn new techniques
• Clear communicator and active listener
• Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi-skilled research team
• Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple responsibilities and to work to deadlines
• Commitment to continued professional development
• Understanding of and commitment to good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity

Qualifications

• PhD in relevant research area
• Bachelors/Masters degree in health economics

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 29323