Research Assistant in Mixed-Methods/Qualitative Research

The University of Manchester; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Manchester invites applications for a Research Assistant to support a NIHR-funded project within the Mental Health Research group, based in the Jean McFarlane Building. The role is part-time (0.5 FTE) and fixed-term from 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2029, reporting to Dr.

Mia Bennion and the wider team. The successful candidate will conduct applied health or mental health research, manage data and engage participants, with strong organisational and communication skills and the

Qualifications

• Background in mental health, psychology, health services research or a related discipline.
• Experience conducting applied health or mental health research, including collecting and managing data and working with research participants.
• Excellent research, organisational, communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work with some independence.

Responsibilities

• Support preparation and submission of ethics applications and other research approvals, study documentation and amendments.
• Support relationships with Talking Therapies services and community organisations; coordinate study set‑up and recruitment.
• Recruit patients, practitioners and stakeholders; assist informed consent and ongoing participant engagement.
• Organise and support co‑production workshops with patients, practitioners and informants.
• Collect quantitative and qualitative data, including questionnaires, clinical data and semi‑structured interviews.

Job description

Location:

Jean McFarlane Building, University of Manchester

Hours per week:

Part time (0.5 FTE)

Contract duration:

Fixed term from 1st Nov 2026 until 30th April 2029

This is an outstanding opportunity for a Research Assistant, with a background in mental health, psychology, health services research or a related discipline, to work within the Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work at the University of Manchester under the supervision of Dr Mia Bennion and the wider research team. The post holder will be part of the Mental Health Research group, which is based within the Jean McFarlane Building.

The candidate will support the aims of the NIHR Research for Patient Benefit-funded project, “Improving engagement with between-session work in NHS Talking Therapies: Testing the feasibility and acceptability of a co‑produced practitioner behaviour change intervention.” This innovative project will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention designed to support practitioner behaviours that improve patient engagement with between‑session work within NHS Talking Therapies.

This position offers an ideal opportunity for an enthusiastic, well‑motivated individual to work as part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team consisting of researchers, NHS clinicians, and people with lived experience. The ideal candidate will have excellent research, organisational, communication and interpersonal skills, and will be able to work effectively with a degree of independence. Experience of conducting applied health or mental health research, including collecting and managing research data and working with research participants, is essential for the position.

You will be responsible for:

• Supporting the preparation and submission of ethics applications and other necessary research approvals, study documentation and amendments.
• Supporting relationships with participating Talking Therapies services and community organisations, including coordinating study set‑up and recruitment activities.
• Recruiting patients, practitioners and other relevant stakeholders and supporting informed consent and ongoing participant engagement.
• Organising and supporting co‑production workshops with patients, practitioners and key informants to inform the development and refinement of the intervention.
• Collecting quantitative and qualitative research data, including questionnaires, routinely collected clinical data and semi‑structured interviews with patients, practitioners and key informants.

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Dr. Mia Bennion

Email Address: [e-mail]

General enquiries and administrative support

[e-mail]

Technical and job portal support

jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must demonstrate the right to work in the UK.

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

£33,002 per annum