Job Title: Post-Doctoral Researcher: Med-SMART StudyDepartment: Graduate School of Healthcare ManagementContract/Duration: Specified purpose contract, up to 2 years - Full timeRemuneration: 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 2026Summary of PostFollowing 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 AssessmentComprises 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 ApplicationComprises 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 DisseminationThe 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 protocolsConstruct literature reviewsCollect and analyse data from stakeholdersLead design, delivery and analysis of co-design workshops, with PI and Research TeamIntegrate findings across study work-packages and develop policy recommendations and implementation guidance, with PI and Research TeamContribute to dissemination of research findings including conference presentations, peer reviewed articles, and policy briefsCo-ordinate and liaise with key stakeholders on project milestones and final outcomesAcademic supervision of students and staff as requiredAssist with drafting grant applications for forthcoming grant calls.Qualifications – (Essential):An PhD 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-methodsResearch experience with healthcare workforce and/or health policyWillingness and experience of working in multi-disciplinary teamsAbility to work independently and efficientlyExcellent organisational, interpersonal, report writing and IT skillsResearch experience with literature review, data collection, implementation science and behaviour change theory, development of policy recommendationsAdvanced qualitative data-analysis and mixed-methods experience, and use of Behaviour Change Wheel and Theoretical Domains FrameworkCo-design experience, including experience with liaising across a variety of stakeholder groupsExperience with quality improvement data, and quantitative real-time data analysis e.g. use of Run Charts, Statistical Process Control TheoryExcellent written, oral, and presentation skillsAttention to detail and deadlinesWe 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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