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September 8, 2006

Research Academic (Evaluator) : University of Newcastle, Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health

Location: Callahan, New South Wales, Australia
Closing date: 8 September 2006

Position No. 505

General Information

Applications are invited for this post in the Newcastle Evaluation Group sited in the School of Medicine and Public Health in the discipline of Clinical Pharmacology at the Newcastle Mater Misericordiae Hospital.

The Newcastle Evaluation Group has a contract with the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing to provide appraisals of submissions for listing of pharmaceutical products on the Australian Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits. Individuals with training and experience in the relevant evaluative sciences (epidemiology/evidence-based medicine/ biostatistics and health economics) are encouraged to apply. A background in a health profession (medicine, pharmacy) is desirable but not essential and individuals with other professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The position is available on a fixed term basis for 2 years to August 2008.

The position is full-time, however requests for part-time hours of at least a 0.6 fraction will also considered.

Position Description

ROLE: Research Academic (Evaluator)

ACADEMIC LEVEL: Level B or C - Level of appointment is dependent on level of experience and qualifications.

FACULTY: Faculty of Health

SCHOOL: School of Medicine and Public Health

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Dr Jane Robertson, Director, Newcastle Evaluation Group

ANNUAL LEAVE RESTRICTION: Annual leave cannot be taken during evaluation rounds

Role Statement

The key role of this position is providing sound technical analyses of submissions to the PBAC for the listing of pharmaceuticals on the PBS. The PBAC have three appraisal/submission cycles annually; the Newcastle Evaluation Group (NEG) is allocated 12 submissions for appraisal each cycle, on which it provides detailed technical commentaries. The incumbent will be part of a research team which has expertise in epidemiology, medicine, statistics, clinical trials, pharmacy, and economics. Collectively, the team has strong credentials in critical appraisal and economic evaluation.

Role Description

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Conduct critical appraisal of industry submissions. The main elements of these appraisals are:
   • Appraising the indicated use of the drug; Faculty of Health
   • Appraising the clinical evidence, including: undertaking literature searches, assessing the systematic review and/or meta-analysis (which may include undertaking a meta-analysis of trial data), appraising the designs of clinical trials, assessing the reported safety of the drug, assessing the choice of the main comparator;
   • Evaluating the economic / cost-effectiveness model, including: the type of economic evaluation undertaken, the design of the model, checking values used in the model, assessing the approach used to elicit preferences (for cost-utility analyses), checking for logic in/consistencies, checking formulae used in the model, and undertaking additional sensitivity analyses.
   • Appraise the expected impact on the PBS budget from listing the drug, including the likely uptake of the drug and the displacement of other drugs currently used.
   • The incumbent will be required, on occasions, to travel to Canberra or Sydney in relation to the evaluation contracts and to attend Committee and Departmental meetings.
2. Provide peer review and guidance to other team members.
3. Conduct research for the PBAC on pharmaceutical policy, the health technology appraisal process in Australia, and on best evaluation practice.
4. Prepare papers for peer-reviewed publications.
5. Pursue self-directed research interests, participate in the research activities of the Discipline of Clinical Pharmacology and the University.
6. Collaborate on research grant applications.
7. Be familiar with, and observe the University’s policy and procedures on Equity and Diversity and Occupational Health and Safety in the performance of the responsibilities of the position.
8. Undertake any other duties relevant and appropriate to this level.

Teaching

1. There are opportunities to contribute to undergraduate (medical) and postgraduate (pharmacy, pharmacoepidemiology) teaching programs within the Faculty of Health.

Administration

1. Contribute to the processes that enables the team to manage the contract requirements, including contributing to economics sub-committee meetings and the Discipline of Clinical Pharmacology.
2. Perform administrative functions as necessary.
3. Comply with the University’s Codes of Conduct.

Selection Criteria - Essential

• Skills or training in epidemiology or health economics, medicine, pharmacy, statistics, operations research or another related discipline.
• High level analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Good writing skills, ability to produce high quality reports to meet critical deadlines.
• High levels of motivation, initiative and flexibility.
• Demonstrated ability in writing scientific reports and papers.
• Well developed interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team and prioritise tasks to meet conflicting deadlines.
• Understanding of the University’s policies and procedures on Equity and Diversity, Managing for Performance and OHS

*Selection Criteria - Desirable *

• A background in a health profession would be an advantage.
• Ability to disentangle and critique cost-effectiveness models.
• Familiarity with a range of software such as MS Excel, Crystal Ball, @Risk, TreeAge, WinBUGS, and/or other simulation software packages.
• Well developed research interests.
• Relevant experience in clinical trials, biostatistics, epidemiology or cost-effectiveness modelling
• Demonstrable experience with systematic literature reviews and meta-analysis, biostatistics, cost-effectiveness modelling.
• Experience in the preparation of industry submissions to health technology assessment organisations such as the PBAC, NICE, or COOHTA.
• Experience in the preparation of successful research grant applications.
• Experience working in health care services.
• Evidence of publication in the area of epidemiology and cost-effectiveness, in high-ranking refereed journals.
• Evidence of self-initiated research.

The Position Classification Standard for Lecturer, Level B and the Position Classification Standard for Senior Lecturer, Level C should be viewed before applying.

Conditions and Benefits

Academic Level B - $62,657 to $74,407 per annum or
Academic Level C - $76,754 to $88,505 per annum.

Salary level within this range will be dependent on the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant.

The basic contribution for superannuation will be made by the University into Unisuper Accumulation 1. Contributory superannuation with additional employer contributions is not available with this appointment.

The successful applicant will be offered employment on an Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA). You may choose to have your conditions of employment covered by an AWA or a Certified Agreement.

Further information on benefits and conditions of employment is available at the following link:

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/employment/conditions.html

Further Information

For additional information on the position contact Dr Jane Robertson, Senior Lecturer/Director, Evaluation Group, Clinical Pharmacology, Mater Hospital on 49211280 or email Jane.Robertson@newcastle.edu.au.

Closing Date: Applications close on Friday, 8 September 2006.

Note: All applications must include a statement addressing each selection criteria.

All applications must include the Application for Employment Cover Sheet (PDF or MS Word) including an email and/or fax address for each nominated referee.

Please read the important information contained via the How to apply link before submitting your application.

How to Submit Your Application

DO NOT send your application to the Faculty or Division in which the position is located.

For Internal applicants: Current University of Newcastle staff members MUST use HRonline to lodge their application.

• Log into HRonline
• Click on University Job Vacancies
• Click Apply for a Vacancy and select the position you wish to apply for

For External applicants: Please forward your application by email to: employment@newcastle.edu.au and ensure you quote the position number and title in the subject line of your email.

Attachments must be in either Word Version 6.0 (.doc) or later, or Rich Text Format.

Applicants who do not have access to email can still provide a paper application, in one of the following ways:

You should staple your application in the top left corner with the Application For Employment Cover Sheet (PDF or MS Word) on top. Please do not submit your application(s) in binders, folders or plastic sleeves as often the applications are required to be photocopied by Human Resource Services staff.

1. By hand, ensuring that you include one (1) copy of your complete application to:
   Human Resource Services
   1st Floor, Eastern Wing
   The Chancellery
   Ring Road
   Callaghan Campus
   The University of Newcastle

2. By mail, ensuring that you include one (1) copy of your complete application to:
   Client Service Teams
   Human Resource Services
   University of Newcastle
   CALLAGHAN NSW 2308
   Australia

Envelopes containing your application should be clearly marked “Confidential”, and indicate the Position Number for which you are applying. 3. By fax, sending one (1) copy of your application to:
a confidential fax on (+61 2) 4921 5285.

The University values equity and diversity.

September 2006: Evaluators