Research Fellow - Infant Heart Disease Study

Belfast | £35,389 - £43,434

Employer: Ulster University
Sector/Specialism: Education & Training

Research Fellow - Infant Heart Disease Study

Department/School: School of Medicine
Campus: Belfast
Salary: £35,389 - £43,434
Closing Date: 8th July 2022 at 23:59
Reference Number: 012962

- ABOUT US -

We are a university with a national and international reputation for excellence, innovation and regional engagement, making a major contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of Northern Ireland

Our core business activities are teaching and learning, widening access to education, research and innovation and technology and knowledge transfer.

- THE ROLE -

Congenital Heart Disease is the most commonly occurring congenital abnormality with a prevalence of approximately 9 per 1000 live births. In the modern era with improved surgical outcomes, more children with complex conditions are surviving beyond infancy. However, very little progress has been made in primary prevention - modifying risk factors to reduce the number of affected babies.

In the years 2014-2017, our research group conducted a large population-based case-control study, the ”Northern Ireland Baby Hearts Study”, which set out to test whether common risk factors (low folate/folic acid and its nutritional context, maternal smoking, maternal obesity, maternal antidepressant use and its mental health context) were associated with risk of CHD, as well as examining a range of other maternal diseases, medications and exposures as risk factors. Our findings add to the previous evidence base to show the potential for public health approaches to help prevent CHD in future by modifying environmental factors. The recruited sample was 286 cases and 966 controls.

Our findings added to the previous evidence base to show potential for public health approaches to help prevent CHD in future by modifying environmental factors.

From the initial study, we have an extensive database with information relating to environmental and lifestyle factors in 1252 pregnancies. The children born from those pregnancies are now either in pre-school or school education. Those born with congenital heart disease continue under follow-up through the regional Paediatric Cardiology service.

Our aim now is to evaluate the physical health, developmental and educational outcomes of this cohort, and to investigate any potential impact of periconceptual, antenatal and postnatal environmental factors on these outcomes.

We intend to create a 12 month waiting list for same or similar roles within the University.

- BENEFITS -

- Competitive salary
- Generous annual leave entitlement promoting a healthy work/life balance - plus an additional 15 days per year when the university is closed
- An environment that supports flexible working and allows you to balance both work and home life
- An open and inclusive environment that celebrates and welcomes diversity
- Onsite and discounted sports/gym facilities (3 months free gym membership at either the Jordanstown, Coleraine or Magee Campus)
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Discounted eye tests with subsequent competitive prescription lenses and frames
- Exposure to the very latest in cutting-edge technologies including Dell, Aruba, Checkpoint and Avaya, feeding your passion for IT
- Autonomy in your role to make impactful decisions and changes to company processes

Ulster University holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality in higher education - read more on our website. The University has a range of initiatives to support a family-friendly working environment, including flexible working.