Vacancies

The role

As co-chair of this network, the successful applicant will work closely with the other co-chair, Dr Jessica Sheringham, and with the ADPH London lead for research, Dr Somen Banerjee. They will be supported by an excellent programme administrator.

The chairs of LAPHRN represent a balance of academia and service so for this role we would particularly welcome an individual based either in local authority, or in a regional applied role to work with the current co-chair.  It is an excellent career development opportunity to increase research experience and research leadership, and to widen networks across the research and local authority system.

The role entails shaping the direction and delivery of the network through

• Championing applied research in local authorities

• Shaping, supporting and growing the network of local authority staff, researchers, and others working on applied health research to promote and enable applied public health research

• Maintaining and building relationships across partners and senior leaders in research and policy across London

• Leading the organisation of network meetings, that take place 4-6 times per year online, (i.e. to establish the agenda, co-chair the meetings, work with the secretariat on communications to members, e.g. review and approve papers and meeting notes before circulation)

• Leading the organisation of the Steering and Oversight Alliance of London leaders that occurs quarterly, working with the ADPH London lead for research.

• Leading the organisation of in-person meetings, as the need arises (e.g. to assemble and chair an organising group, devise the agenda, invite speakers, secure funding as needed)

• Supporting agenda setting across the London system on applied research working with London leaders

• Support trainees including Public Health registrars and Masters students in their involvement in the network to build their skills and increase public health research capacity in the system

• Keeping up to date on relevant research funding and capacity building opportunities, agencies and the research governance landscape

• Connecting with relevant national and regional applied public health research networks and organisations

• Promoting the network (e.g. through talks, webinars and other promotional activities).

Background to the network

Central to LAPHRN is the importance of developing Public Health research within local authorities with the public health/local authority nexus at the heart of the network. The roles of the network are to:

• Identify, share, support and progress opportunities for generating robust academic research and its application in LA settings across the region and nationally.

• Provide a platform for sharing findings, assisting local areas in the development of their research that directly addresses local government and London/North Thames public health priorities

• Support the development of research skills

• Enable collaboration on research grant applications with the longer-term goal of improving the wider determinants of health at regional level and beyond

• Support potential for facilitating selection of one or two key themes per year as a focus of Public Health Research in Local Authorities for London and North Thames and to support driving the agenda forward in line with direction from the Steering and Oversight Alliance.

• Provide infrastructure to support the organisation of face-to-face events to further collaboration and partnership in this space.

Further information on the network, its terms of reference and previous sessions can be found on the NIHR ARC website: https://www.arc-nt.nihr.ac.uk/get-involved/laphrn/.

In 2023 a LAPHRN Steering and Oversight Alliance of senior London leaders was established to provide oversight and steer to the LAPHR network to provide a broader steer and support on the strategic direction of applied research in Local authorities for London as an alliance of London partners. The Alliance is centred on a shared goal of developing London and North Thames as a robust and thriving research system and supporting LAs to work in collaboration with higher education institutions to develop a research culture within LAs. The Alliance - chaired by the ADPH research lead - has its own Terms of Reference and meets quarterly.

Applicant selection criteria
 

Essential:

• Currently employed within the public health system at consultant level or equivalent

• Experience of working in or closely with local authorities

• Experience of working with senior leaders in public health 

• Demonstrable enthusiasm for applied research

• Experience in chairing meetings with multiple partners

• Understanding of how research can be generated outside of university settings, and appreciation of some of the challenges

• Understanding of how research findings and evidence can be applied in practice and policy towards improving health and reducing inequalities

• Demonstrable skills and experience in networking, relationship building 

Desirable:

• Established connections with either research institutions or local authorities and other policy partners across the London/North Thames 

• Experience of conducting public health research

How to apply and further information

Email your CV and a personal statement (up to 500 words) outlining your suitability, interest and relevant experience for this role to dahr.laphrn@ucl.ac.uk  Deadline: 5 pm Friday 8 September 2024.

This is not currently a remunerated role but there is scope to explore funding for 0.5-1PA per week.

If you are interested in this role or have any questions about it, please contact Leonora Weil or Jessica Sheringham (dahr.laphrn@ucl.ac.uk).  It is possible to consider sharing the role across individuals. Do contact Jessica or Leonora to discuss if you are interested in doing this role as a job share.

The successful applicant would ideally start in mid-September 2023.