| POSITION : Trials Search Co-ordinator |
| SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT : Inst of Child Care Research |
| REFERENCE: 09/101142 |
| CLOSING DATE : 4.00 pm Friday 6 November 2009. |
| SALARY : £29,704 - £38,757 per annum (including contribution points). |
| ANTICIPATED INTERVIEW DATE : 15 December 2009. |
| CONTRACT DURATION : 5 years. |
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| JOB PURPOSE : |
| To help authors of Cochrane systematic reviews with search strategies and to identify, store and disseminate information about controlled trials which concern interventions relevant to the research priorities of the Cochrane Development, Psychosocial and Learning Problems Group (CDPLPG). |
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| MAJOR DUTIES : |
| Advise on the drafting of the search strategy sections for protocols and reviews. |
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| Provide feedback on the trial identification and reference sections of Cochrane/Campbell reviews and protocols as part of the editorial process. |
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| Correspond with review authors to clarify methodological procedures employed in trials. |
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| Check reference lists of included studies in completed reviews to ensure that all trials are included in the CDPLPG register of controlled trials and that references are correctly cited. |
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| Arrange translations of papers where possible to extract information for coding and to enable authors to include/exclude studies from reviews. |
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| Alert authors to new trial reports and new trials in their topic area on a quarterly basis or as required. |
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| Execute regular searches of databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE and others such as Biological Abstracts, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Index to UK Theses, and Dissertation Abstracts using existing highly sensitive search strategies. |
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| Extract potentially relevant trial references from overall results of database searches by examination and interpretation of information provided therein, and obtain hard copies when necessary. |
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| Obtain references from private and institutional databases via FTP transfer. |
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| Code trial reports for type of trial, method of randomisation and key words. |
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| design highly sensitive search strategies as required for a variety of electronic databases, to identify controlled trials relevant to the wide scope of the Developmental, Psychosocial and Execute regular searches of these databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE and others such as CINAHL, LILACS and PsychINFO and databases of conference proceedings and dissertation abstracts. |
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| Extract potentially relevant trial references from overall results of database searches by examination and interpretation of information provided therein and obtain electronic or hard copies as appropriate. |
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| Locate references to potentially relevant trials via the Internet. |
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| Explore the feasibility of developing a study based register and coding reports of trials into study records according to an agreed manual. |
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| Maintain an up-to-date record of sources searched and regularly review usefulness/relevance of these. |
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| Coordinate handsearching activities; determining specialist journals to hand-search; recruit handsearchers for the CDPLPG; manage the handsearching process including providing training and support for handsearchers. |
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| Perform regular quality-control checks on hand-searchers' work and provide feedback where appropriate. |
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| Extract relevant trial references from results of hand searchers' work by examination and interpretation of trial reports. Code papers for relevancy, type of trial, method of randomisation and key words using existing system. |
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| Collate and evaluate results of handsearching initiative; prospectively update handsearching on a yearly basis for journals already searched retrospectively. |
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| Carry out day-today administrative duties associated with the post and undertake any other duties that fall within the general ambit of the post. |
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| Planning and Organising: |
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| Contributes to short and medium term developments by applying professional or specialist knowledge of the field of work. |
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| Develops and determines appropriate workflow and activity scheduling in order to meet targets. |
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| Resource Management Responsibilities: |
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| Oversees use of resources to ensure work is undertaken effectively. |
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| Internal and External Relationships: |
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| Shaping information and knowledge with other Cochrane Collaboration Trials Search Co-ordinators. Communicating with the US Cochrane Centre regarding quarterly submissions to the specialised register. |
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| ESSENTIAL CRITERIA : |
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| 1. Educated to degree level with a qualification in librarianship or information science, or equivalent. |
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| 2. At least 3 years' relevant experience to include Strong administrative and organisational abilities. |
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| 3. Experience of and demonstrable expertise in searching health care databases. |
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| 4. Experience of and expertise in managing databases/registers. |
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| 5. Methodological competence in searching and cataloguing. |
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| 6. Excellent computing and keyboard skills including Microsoft Office, and ability to understand and use new software quickly. |
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| 7. Able to negotiate and use the Internet effectively. |
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| 8. Well developed communication skills. |
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| 9. Well developed liaison and negotiating skills. |
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| 10. Well-developed presentational skills. |
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| 11. Careful, analytical and conscientious approach to work. |
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| 12. Ability to work independently. |
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| 13. Willingness to travel occasionally, nationally and internationally, for Cochrane Collaboration and related meetings. |
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| DESIRABLE CRITERIA : |
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| 1. A post graduate qualification in librarianship or information sciences and/or experience in electronic literature searching. |
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| 2. Familiarity with the terminology in some of the areas within the CDPLPG scope. |
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| 3. Experience of critical appraisal and systematic reviews. |
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| 4. Use of databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ProCite5. |
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| 5. Experience or knowledge of the Cochrane Collaboration or the Cochrane Library. |
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| 6. Fluency in one or more second languages. |
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| ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: |
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| Informal enquiries may be directed to Claire McMullan tel. 02890973065 (c.mcmullan@qub.ac.uk). |
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| Please note that applications from applicants wishing to work part-time on this post may be considered. |
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| THE APPLICATION PROCESS : |
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| The Application Form should be completed and returned (Curriculum Vitaes will not be accepted). |
| In customising your application details to our vacant post you should read the Job Details and criteria. You must demonstrate clearly and unambiguously how your qualifications, skills and experience meet the requirements of the post. |
| You submit your application by revisiting www.qub.ac.uk/jobs and clicking on Submit Application against the job you wish to apply for. Enter your email address (and confirm it), then use the Browse button to locate the forms on your computer and click Submit to email your application to the Personnel Department at Queen's. You must submit your application within the advertising period as the job will not be displayed on the Jobs page after the closing date and time has lapsed. |
| Alternatively post your application to The Director of Human Resources, The Personnel Department, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT7 1NN (Tel: 028 9097 3044, Fax: 028 9097 1040). You should note that the University does not normally consider applications that are received after the closing date. You should also note that where post, fax or e-mail services are used, the onus for ensuring receipt in the PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT by the closing date and time rests with the applicant. |
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| EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES MONITORING : |
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| The recruitment panel will not have access to the monitoring information you have completed and it will not be used in the selection procedure. |
