COLIVE-MH CAMHRA Postdoctoral Researcher

SOAS University of London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading higher education institution in the UK is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher specializing in anthropology to link research efforts between multiple teams. Key responsibilities include developing inclusion policies, managing ethnographic projects, and mentoring fellows. Strong candidates will have a relevant doctoral degree and lived experience with mental health services. The role offers opportunities for professional development and requires eligibility to work in the UK. We highly value applications from under-represented groups.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Mentorship program

Qualifications

• Exceptional early-career academics with expert knowledge in anthropology.
• Lived experience of mental health service use is valuable.

Responsibilities

• Act as a key link between SOAS CAMHRA and CO-LIVE-MH team.
• Develop equity, diversity, and inclusion policies.
• Manage ethnographic sub-team activities.
• Coach and mentor lived-experience fellows.
• Report regularly to Principal Investigators.

Skills

Anthropological training

Project management

Coaching and mentoring

Equity, diversity and inclusion policy development

Education

Doctoral or post-doctoral degree in anthropology

Job description

CAMHRA seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher with a background in anthropology to contribute to the lived experiences and ethnographic workstreams of COLIVE‑MH.

About COLIVE‑MH

COLIVE‑MH (Collaborative Living Evidence Platform for Common Metrics in Mental Health) is a two‑year international initiative funded by the Wellcome Trust, designed to establish an up‑to‑date, open‑access evidence synthesis platform on the psychometric properties of four widely used mental health measures:

• PHQ‑9 – Patient Health Questionnaire (adult depression)
• GAD‑7 – Generalised Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (adult anxiety)
• WHODAS‑12 – World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (adult functioning/disability)
• RCADS – Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (child and youth anxiety and depression)

The platform supports global harmonisation of mental health measurement tools, with a strong emphasis on transparency, co‑production and equity.

Key Project Activities

• Co‑production with people with lived experience and international partners.
• Conduct of three parallel systematic reviews (PHQ‑9, GAD‑7, WHODAS); a fourth review on RCADS will be conducted externally.
• Display of results on a website interface.

Role Overview

The COLIVE‑MH CAMHRA Post‑doctoral Researcher will act as a key link between SOAS CAMHRA and the CO‑LIVE‑MH team in Paris and other international partners. Responsibilities include:

• Developing an equity, diversity and inclusion policy for the inclusion of lived experience voices in the COLIVE‑MH project.
• Developing a typology of the impact of psychiatric measures.
• Project management of the ethnographic sub‑team.
• Coaching and mentoring lived‑experience fellows.
• Regular reporting to the Principal Investigators.
• Ensuring service delivery to agreed deadlines.

Candidate Profile

Exceptional early‑career academics with doctoral and/or post‑doctoral anthropological training. Lived‑experience of mental health service use and applicants from under‑represented groups are strongly encouraged.

Professional Development

As part of the CAMHRA post‑doctoral mentoring programme, the successful candidate will receive support from CAMHRA leadership to develop and participate in future funded research opportunities within the Centre.

About SOAS University of London

SOAS is the leading Higher Education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East. It is positioned to play a leading role in reimagining higher education globally, with a new strategic plan that commits SOAS to both student responsiveness and research intensity.

Applications

Successful candidates must demonstrate eligibility to work in the UK or have limited leave to remain and the associated right to work for the duration of their employment with SOAS.

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates from working class, first‑generation Higher Education, Black, Asian, other minority ethnic and under‑represented groups from within the UK and beyond. All appointment decisions will be made on merit, following a fair and unbiased process.

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If you have any questions or require assistance with the application process, please contact us via the HR Contact Form.