The University of Sheffield
Senior Systematic Reviewer
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The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits opens in a new window and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
We are looking for an experienced systematic reviewer to contribute to the activities of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) EnSygN- Sheffield Evidence Synthesis Group.
The primary purpose of the role is to lead and contribute to high-quality research projects, specifically focusing on systematic reviews that inform national health policy. The successful applicant will design research proposals, generate research income, and disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Additionally, the role involves teaching, supervision, and administrative duties to support the department and the wider University.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
Research and Innovation
- Lead the design and implementation of evidence syntheses, including the development of review protocols of international reputation.
- Independently determine research directions and develop specialist areas within national funding programmes.
- Undertake methodological research in evidence synthesis to advance health and health services research.
- Lead small task-finish working groups to deliver strategic priorities (e.g. automation, quality assurance, stakeholder engagement etc.)
Academic Support
- Supervise and assess evidence synthesis projects, assignments, and dissertations, providing planning and support to students.
- Teach key skills within the academic development group, particularly regarding the assessment and synthesis of quantitative and/or qualitative evidence.
Planning, Organising, and Resource Management
- Carry out long-term planning over the course of the contract for project resource requirements, including datasets, software requirements and specialist academic input.
- Lead and manage multi-disciplinary project teams consisting of information specialists, reviewers, and external clinical experts.
- Advise on resource allocation within project budgets and take shared responsibility for monitoring and identifying opportunities for research funding.
- Manage daily reactive requests related to specialist staff support while meeting strict deadlines for national policy-making research.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential
- PhD in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience.
- Experience in leading substantial, high-profile research projects for national government agencies where outputs directly influence national health policy.
- Experience in line-managing staff and acting as a mentor to less experienced researchers to support their methodological development.
- Engagement in professional activities with international recognition, such as editorial work for journals or peer-reviewing for government funding agencies.
- Experience of undertaking systematic reviews, evidence synthesis and leading substantive literature review projects and to work effectively within multi-disciplinary teams.
- The ability to manage relationships at a national level and network effectively to obtain expert advice and opinions.
- Experience in co-ordinating and writing research and/or consultancy proposals for external research funders.
- Excellent knowledge of evidence synthesis methods and active engagement in systematic review or evidence synthesis initiatives.
- Experience of presenting research findings in publications and at seminars/conferences or equivalent.
- Experience of using relevant review software for reference management, study selection, quality assessment and synthesis.
- Excellent communication skills in oral, written and presentation modes for both expert and non-expert audiences.
- Ability to contribute to the research, teaching and knowledge exchange activities of the School as required.
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Desirable
- None specified.
Stage(s) assessed at
- Application: PhD in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience. Experience of using relevant review software for reference management, study selection, quality assessment and synthesis.
- Interview: Experience in leading substantial, high-profile research projects for national government agencies where outputs directly influence national health policy. Experience in line-managing staff and acting as a mentor to less experienced researchers to support their methodological development. Engagement in professional activities with international recognition, such as editorial work for journals or peer-reviewing for government funding agencies. Experience of undertaking systematic reviews, evidence synthesis and leading substantive literature review projects and to work effectively within multi-disciplinary teams. The ability to manage relationships at a national level and network effectively to obtain expert advice and opinions. Experience in co-ordinating and writing research and/or consultancy proposals for external research funders. Excellent knowledge of evidence synthesis methods and active engagement in systematic review or evidence synthesis initiatives.
- Presentation/ Application: Experience of presenting research findings in publications and at seminars/conferences or equivalent.
- Presentation: Excellent communication skills in oral, written and presentation modes for both expert and non-expert audiences. Ability to contribute to the research, teaching and knowledge exchange activities of the School as required.
Further Information
- Grade: 9
- Salary: £61,759 to £69,488 per annum pro-rata
- Work arrangement: Full-time
- Duration: Fixed-term to 31st March 2028
- Line manager: Professor in Evidence Synthesis
- Direct reports: Research Associate(s)
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Our website
For informal enquiries about this job contact: Professor Andrew Booth at A.Booth@sheffield.ac.uk or on 0114 222 0705.
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on Wednesday 21st October 2026. This will consist of a brief presentation followed by an interview. Candidates invited to interview will receive further details regarding the presentation title in their interview invitation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 12th October 2026.
If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Karen Johnson (karen.johnson@sheffield.ac.uk).
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision.
What We Offer
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
- A range of generous family-friendly policies.
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies.
- access to menopause support in the workplace.
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment.
- and more.
- More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits.
We are a Disability Confident Leader opens in a new window. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Closing Date: 18/09/2026
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds
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