Job Title: Post-Doctoral Researcher: Med-SMART Study Department: Graduate School of Healthcare Management Contract/Duration: Specified purpose contract, up to 2 years - Full time Remuneration: Post will be appointed on Post-Doctoral Researcher Salary Scale (PD2), commensurate with experience – up to a maximum of point 4 (Between €46,805 - €50,670)Closing Date: Sunday 1st of February 2026 Summary of Post Following a successful application to the Health Research Board (HRB) and Department of Health funded "Evidence for Policy" programme, a Research Assistant position has become available in the Graduate School of Healthcare Management (GSM) based in the RCSI University of Medicine & Health Sciences.
The successful applicant will work with the study research team a collaboration of the RCSI GSM, School of Medicine, School of Population Health, the National Doctor Training Programme (NTDP) and Patient and Public representative.
The research project concerns the "Development of Medical Workforce Management Framework for Staffing and Skills Mix Assessment for Resilient Teams in Ireland (Med-SMART): a mixed-methods design".
The Med-SMART study aims to co-create a comprehensive, context-specific framework for medical workforce planning in Ireland, focusing on consultants, non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs), and interns (medical graduates awaiting registration).
The overall study purpose is to inform future policy on medical workforce planning and configuration in Ireland.
The Med-SMART study will be conducted using three work packages (WKP).1.
Medical Workforce Planning Enablers and Barriers & Baseline Assessment Comprises a Scoping Review (WKP1a) and Baseline Case Study (WKP1b).
A scoping review and stakeholder workshop (WKP1a) will identify national and international best practices for medical workforce planning and development, and identify behaviour change theory-informed enablers and barriers to implementation.
A baseline case study at hospital sites (WKP1b) will analyse current staffing levels and configurations and explore lived experiences of enablers and barriers to medical workforce staffing and skills mix best practices.2.
Framework Co-Design and Desk-Based Case Study Application Comprises a series of participatory co-design workshops (WKP2a) and desk-based application of a finalised modifiable framework (WKP2b).
Stakeholders will be invited to a series of co-design workshops to iteratively design the framework.
The framework will be assessed at hospital case study sites for acceptability, feasibility, cost and appropriateness.3.
Integration, Policy Recommendation, Co-Design and Dissemination The final work package will involve data integration, framework finalisation, and policy recommendations.
Specifically, the duties of the post are: Collaborating closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) and Research Team to ensure successful delivery of all project objectives.
Prepare research ethics applications and study protocols Construct literature reviews Collect and analyse data from stakeholders Lead design, delivery and analysis of co-design workshops, with PI and Research Team Integrate findings across study work-packages and develop policy recommendations and implementation guidance, with PI and Research Team Contribute to dissemination of research findings including conference presentations, peer reviewed articles, and policy briefs Co-ordinate and liaise with key stakeholders on project milestones and final outcomes Academic supervision of students and staff as required Assist with drafting grant applications for forthcoming grant calls.
Qualifications – (Essential): An Ph D or equivalent in health services research, social science, data science or related disciplines.
Knowledge & Experience – (Essential): Documented research experience in health services research including qualitative methodologies and mixed-methods Research experience with healthcare workforce and/or health policy Willingness and experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams Ability to work independently and efficiently Excellent organisational, interpersonal, report writing and IT skills Research experience with literature review, data collection, implementation science and behaviour change theory, development of policy recommendations Advanced qualitative data-analysis and mixed-methods experience, and use of Behaviour Change Wheel and Theoretical Domains Framework Co-design experience, including experience with liaising across a variety of stakeholder groups Experience with quality improvement data, and quantitative real-time data analysis e.g.
use of Run Charts, Statistical Process Control Theory Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills Attention to detail and deadlines We are all too aware that imposter syndrome and the confidence gap can sometimes stop fantastic candidates putting themselves forward, so please do submit an application — we'd love to hear from you.
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