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EURAXESS

1 PhD Health economics position (DC7) in MSCA Doctoral Networks

10 Feb 2023

Job Information

Organisation/Company
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK - NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, CORK (UCC)
Research Field
Economics » Health economics
Biological sciences
Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country
Ireland
Application Deadline
Type of Contract
Temporary
Job Status
Full-time
Offer Starting Date
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
HE / MSCA
Reference Number
2
Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number
101073316
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No

Offer Description

1 Doctoral Candidate position (DC7) in Health economics at UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK - NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, CORK (UCC) is available in the framework of the Marie Skłodowska Curie - Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) project “Targeting RNA as an approach for treating retinal disease” (RETORNA). 

RETORNA proposes breakthrough research, distributed in 10 individual projects, performed by 10 Doctoral candidates (one of them being the DC7), in the following countries: Ireland, Spain, Netherlands, Türkiye, Germany and Italy.  DC7 will be hired by UCC and working mainly in Ireland, with various secondments in RETORNA consortium.

 

RETORNA summary description:

RETORNA aims to treat retinal diseases (RD) by using RNA therapy. Among the research objectives, we will study different types of RNA that are expressed in retinal cells. By observing bioinformatic models, cell and tissue cultures, animal models, and human patients, we will be able to create RNA profiles for different RD. This screening will identify several targets that will be used as therapeutic approaches. Then, selected RNAs will be used to treat different RD, such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.

The proposed doctoral network (DN) will provide an innovative, international, multi/interdisciplinary platform to train young scientists in the field of vision science. 

For more information about RETORNA: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101073316

 

Details of the individual project DC7:

DC7: Examining Health Economic Impacts of RNA in treating retinal diseases

Host supervisor: Dr. Aileen Murphy (University of Cork, Ireland)

Objectives: Health systems globally face challenges contributing to rising healthcare costs. One area facing increasing demands owing growing ageing populations and increased prevalence of conditions such as glaucoma, cataract, diabetic eye disease, age-related macular degeneration and others among those in older age groups is eye care. It is anticipate that global blindness will triple by 2050. As the field of RNA nanotechnology advances and becomes a clinical reality the clinical benefits will be realized. However as is the case with most advances the additional costs need to be compared to the additional benefits to determine if the additional benefits are worth the additional costs, i.e. are they value for money or cost effective. Up until now the adoption of economic evaluations (or health technology assessments) in ophthalmology was slower than other clinical areas. Here we investigate the economic impacts of RNA therapies in treating retinal disease at the beginning of the life cycle. Early and iterative evaluations (the latter are updated as new evidence on effectiveness becomes available) are important to inform timely decision-making on service provision and research and development prioritization, to ensure access and value for money and can yield efficient savings. Furthermore, iterative and early evaluations can increase the speed of decision-making and reduce uncertainty around cost effectiveness estimates, and are therefore critical to ensure all eventualities are considered before widespread implementation (Gannon, 2017). The aim of this project is to investigate the potential economic impact of RNA in treating retinal diseases.

Expected Results:

1. Systematic literature review on economic burden of retinal disease in Europe.

2. Economic model to estimate the expected economic impact of RNA therapies on treating retinal diseases in Europe.

3. Identification of expected challenges in examining cost effectiveness of RNA interventions.

Secondments are foreseen during the 36 months project.

 

Requirements

Research Field
Economics » Health economics
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications

DC7 Requirements

  • Candidate must have obtained a standard of at least Second Class Honours, Grade I, in an approved primary degree, or other such other evidence under the University's policy for Recognition of Prior Learning for Admission to Research Degrees.
  • Desirable technical competences: experience in conducting systematic literature reviews, experience in conducting economic evaluations
  • All postgraduate applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of  English language proficiency.
  • For further information and eligibility please see:https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/postgraduate/
  • be highly motivated
  • be creative and possess a high level of independency
Languages
ENGLISH
Level
Excellent
Research Field
Economics » Health economics

Additional Information

Benefits

RETORNA fellows will be employed according to the rules for Doctoral Candidates in MSCA DNs and the general regulations of each hosting institution.

The monthly financial package will include the following gross researcher allowances:

1) Living allowance of € 3,400.00 (country correction coefficient applies)

2) Mobility allowance of € 600.00

3) Family allowance of € 660.00 if applicable.

The final net monthly amount depends on the country destination and the family situation.

The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months starting from autumn 2023.

Other benefits:

The selected candidates together with other 9 doctorates that will be selected will benefit from a large variety of activities foreseen for them. DCs at RETORNA will be provided with a unique multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral training. First and foremost, DCs will be trained as scientists, each of them in their host institution, at their research secondments, and through local and network wide events. Next, thanks to the partnership between academic and non-academic entities, DCs will receive multi-sectoral inputs from both worlds. This will happen via lectures and workshops in our varied training program.

Eligibility criteria
  • candidates can be of any nationality
  • must comply with the following mobility rule: researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e., move from one country to another) and participate in all the activities foreseen by the project when taking up the appointment (trainings, summer courses, annual meetings, lectures, participation in conferences, public activities).
  • possess a Master degree or an equivalent that allows the access to the doctoral program in the University UCC  (read the requirements)
  • be, at the date of recruitment, a doctoral candidate (i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree). Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
  • not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.
Selection process

The RETORNA selection procedure is open, transparent, merit-based and in line with the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers and the European Charter for Researchers.

The criteria for recruitment of DCs will respect the principles of non-discrimination contained in The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

It is the policy of the RETORNA project to promote and give equal opportunities regardless of gender and stimulate gender balance.

Documents required

Interested candidates should submit the following documents via email to andreea.craciun@ucv.es, indicating in the e-mail title "RETORNA - DC7 application":

  • a detailed CV, including – if applicable – relevant publications
  • a motivation letter, indicating why you wish to conduct this research project
  • two (2) letters of reference
  • transcripts of bachelor and master degrees
  • English certificate 

We encourage candidates to send any other certificates, representative publications, academic references or links demostrating the experience and interest in the project. 

All documents must be named as "type of document_NameSurname" (i.e. Motivation letter_Andreea Craciun")

 

Selection process

The selection process will foreseen the following steps:

1.  Eligibility: the RETORNA recruitment committee will check that each application is complete and that applicants fulfil the eligibility criteria described in the previous section.

2. Evaluation: each eligible application will be assessed by the principal investigators of our network. The principal investigators will select up to four candidates per position for the following steps:

a. Online interviews: online interviews will be scheduled, in person interview will be organized where possible. Short-listed candidates will be invited for an online interview with the supervisor responsible for the research project of interest. At least one member of the recruitment committee will attend the online interviews.

b. Selection results: our recruitment committee will notify short-listed candidates of the results.

c. Hiring process and enrollment: the selected candidates will be put in touch with the corresponding principal investigator and the HR Department of the hosting institution to initiate the hiring procedure.

Applicants who have not been successful but who have received a positive evaluation will be put on a waiting list to cover possible withdrawals and future positions.

Additional comments

Recruitment calendar:

  • Deadline for applications:19th of March2023 but extended until the 13th of April 2023!
  • Eligibility and Evaluation: 14th of April  2023 
  • Online Interviews: April 2023
  • Notification to candidates: first week of May 2023
  • Hiring process: May - July 2023
  • Start date of the fellowship: September 2023

Where to apply

E-mail
andreea.craciun@ucv.es