Research Assistant - School of Population Health

About the Role

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) invites applications for a full-time Research Assistant position based at 118 St Stephens Green, Dublin. This 18-month contract role offers an opportunity for candidates with backgrounds in epidemiology, health research, data science, or science communication to contribute to projects addressing chronic disease burdens and integrated care outcomes in Ireland. The role centers on supporting the Converge Centre for Chronic Disease and Population Health Research, focusing on epidemiology, implementation science, health and economic modeling, equity, and patient/public involvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with Principal Investigators and research teams to meet project objectives.
• Assist in the design and enhancement of an interactive research data reporting and visualization dashboard to monitor diabetes in Ireland, making findings accessible to diverse users including the public.
• Engage with scientific, clinical, policy, and patient stakeholders to co-design and pilot the dashboard platform.
• Participate in establishing governance structures for data population, maintenance, and updating alongside data scientists and providers.
• Help develop guidance materials for dashboard utilization.
• Support preparation of ethical approval documents and data management plans.
• Organize and coordinate meetings and communications for the dashboard team.
• Assist with data compilation, analysis, and dissemination of study findings through peer-reviewed publications.
• Contribute to weekly administrative and coordination tasks for the Converge Centre and Health Equity Research Alliance.
• Support dissemination activities including conference presentations, writing policy briefs, social media content, and peer-reviewed articles.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Data Science, Biostatistics, Applied Mathematics, Health Services Research, Public Health, Population Health Sciences, Epidemiology, or relevant field.
• Experience conducting research in epidemiology, health systems, or health services.
• Proficient in quantitative data analysis methods.
• Comfortable working in multidisciplinary teams with strong networking and coordination skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities with strong capability in science communication and content creation.
• Familiarity with research ethics, data protection principles, and GDPR compliance.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with flexibility.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and IT competencies with attention to detail and deadlines.
• Creative problem-solving skills and innovative thinking.

Desirable Attributes

• Experience in managing data collection from diverse stakeholders.
• Skills in data visualization and dashboard development (e.g., R Shiny, Power BI).
• Knowledge of national and international research funding environments.
• Proficiency in social media usage for dissemination purposes.
• Project management experience and event organization capabilities.
• Commitment to health equity principles.

Additional Information

This position encourages applicants who may experience imposter syndrome or confidence gaps to apply. The salary will align with Research Assistant pay scales according to experience. The application deadline is 12:00pm on Wednesday 29th of 2026. The application should be submitted via the official RCSI careers portal along with a CV and cover letter.