Agency Researcher(Agency Worker) to work on HRB overview on young people and drug and alcohol use in Ireland for the Health Research Board

Tender description

The Health Research Board (HRB) is a state agency that supports research and provides evidence to prevent illness, improve health and transform patient care. The HRB has 65 staff. Our annual budget is in excess of €45m and we manage a research investment portfolio of approximately €200m. The agency is funded mainly by the Department of Health, and Board members are appointed by the Minister for Health. The HRB requires a skilled researcher to examine the topic of substance use among young people in Ireland and to write an overview on this topic based on analysis of existing data. The template for this overview is the HRB’s overview on alcohol consumption and harms www.drugsandalcohol.ie/26226/ This will involve the following: • Analysing general population survey and school-based studies of drug use and alcohol use to provide:  An overall description of drug and alcohol use among young people in the population  An estimate the prevalence and patterns of drug and alcohol use at national and regional level based on general population survey data  Detailed descriptions on patterns of use of drug and alcohol by socio-economic status  Other analysis as required • Locate, access, validate and analyse sources of data relating to the topic from from Revenue, DOH, HIPE, NDTRS, NPRIS, NDRDI, Probation Service and other justice/security-related sources of information • Analysis of findings of relevant surveys such as My World Survey 2: the national study of youth mental health in Ireland www.drugsandalcohol.ie/31343/ • Completing articles on young people and substance use for Drugnet Ireland Essential knowledge and experience: • A postgraduate degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, health promotion or public health and have experience of analysing large datasets. • Three to four years’ relevant research experience, which includes the completion and publication of prevalence reports or studies with a significant statistical content.