Career Development Fellowship Medical Research Council

MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, Glasgow
3 years fixed term
Starting salary £26,022 to £31,758 pa

We are offering a postdoctoral Career Development Fellowship for someone with strong skills in the measurement and monitoring of children's physical activity. Concerns over the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity among children have been linked to decreased physical activity, and the potential importance of access to physical activity opportunities has been highlighted. However, little is currently known about the location and degree to which children are physically active in different settings, leaving little evidence on which to base policy development and the design of interventions.

The successful candidate will conduct a study which will explore the extent to which Scottish children's time-space activity differs by degree of rurality and area deprivation and the potential effects on physical activity and active play.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone to receive post-doctoral experience in a leading research establishment with a view to developing a research career in the field of social public health research. This 3 year post offers opportunities to undertake research in an exciting, timely and policy-relevant area whilst gaining further research training together with transferable skills.

Applicants must have a good honours degree (1st class or 2:1) in e.g. BSc Health, Exercise and Physical Activity, BSc Sport, Physical activity and Health or a closely related discipline and a PhD (awarded) in Physical activity and Health or a closely related discipline. You should also be familiar with the measurement of physical activity (objectively measured through accelerometry and via self-report) and have an excellent understanding of quantitative methods, including the use of appropriate software to conduct analysis (e.g. SPSS).

The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Anne Ellaway, Programme Leader. Further details of this programme of research can be found on our website http://www.sphsu.mrc.ac.uk/research-programmes/nh.

The MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit is well resourced and has an impressive track record in studying the impact of social factors on health behaviours and illness. For further information about the unit visit www.sphsu.mrc.ac.uk. Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Anne Ellaway at a.ellaway@sphsu.mrc.ac.uk or call 0141 357 3949.

Applications are handled by the RCUK Shared Services Centre; to apply please visit our job board at https://ext.ssc.rcuk.ac.uk to view the full job description and person requirements and complete an online application quoting reference IRC44705. If you are unable to apply online please contact us on 01793 867003. Closing date for applications: 13^th April 2012. The planned date for interviews and selection is during week commencing 14^th May 2012.

When applying online please upload a cover letter and CV clearly stating in your letter why you would like to be considered for this position and how you meet each of the criteria listed in the Person Requirements. Please also supply the details of two referees.

Please note that appointment will be made subject to pre-employment health and security screening and satisfactory references.

The Medical Research Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer.