Research Assistant or Research Associate in the Realist Evaluation of Preconception Care

KINGS COLLEGE LONDON; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK research institute is seeking a Research Assistant or Associate to support the NEST study aimed at improving pregnancy planning for individuals with mental health issues. The role involves data collection, qualitative interviews, and analysis. Candidates should have an undergraduate qualification and experience in relevant research areas. The position offers competitive pay and opportunities for both full and part-time work.

Qualifications

• Experience in recruiting participants and conducting qualitative interviews on sensitive topics.
• Understanding and evidence of experience in evaluating complex interventions.
• Evidence of delivering research activities to specified milestones.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the NIHR-funded NEST study.
• Responsible for data collection, analysis, and publication of findings.

Skills

Participant recruitment

Qualitative interviews

Evaluating complex interventions

Research delivery to milestones

Communication skills

Education

Undergraduate qualification in related field (e.g. BSc, BA)

Job description

Organisation/Company KINGS COLLEGE LONDON Research Field Literature Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) First Stage Researcher (R1) Established Researcher (R3) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 19 Aug 2025 - 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

About us

The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neurosceince (IoPPN) is a world-leading centre for research; changing and shaping how we understand, prevent and treat mental illness and other conditions that affect the brain. The IoPPN’s mission is to transform care for people who are affected by mental health and neurological conditions, through world-class research, education and training, serving communities locally and globally. The IoPPN has a long-standing, integrated partnership with the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), the largest mental health provider in the UK, which facilitates the rapid translation of research into clinical practice.

This role will be based in the Department of Psychological Medicine, comprising around 100 staff and 50 doctoral students. The department has an outstanding track record in training postgraduate researchers. A well-developed departmental framework supports students and early-career researchers through integration into research groups, access to statistical and methodological expertise and regular progress reviews.

About the role

We are seeking a Research Assistant or Research Associate to contribute to the NIHR-funded NEST study (Nurturing and Empowering future parents through Support and Treatment: pregnancy planning for parents with mental illness), which aims to investigate how to support individuals of reproductive age in contact with mental health services improve planning and fitness for pregnancy.

The post holder will join an established team of researchers, academics and clinicians in the Department of Psychological Medicine under supervision from the Chief Investigator (Dr Claire Wilson). The role will be responsible for contributing to all aspects of the research, including data collection, analysis and publication of study findings.

This is advertised as a full-time post offered on a fixed term contract for 12 months. However, part-time options will be considered.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

• Undergraduate qualification (e.g. BSc, BA) in related field. Minimum of Upper Second (2:1) class
• Experience of recruiting participants and conducting qualitative interviews on sensitive topics
• Understanding and evidence of experience in evaluating complex interventions and undertaking realist evaluations
• Evidence of ability to deliver research activities to specified milestones

Research Assistant Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a mental health setting and assessment of mental health conditions
• Understanding of the literature around preconception health and relevant policy context
• Experience of working with routinely collected healthcare data, including quantitative analysis
• Evidence of ability to contribute to interpretation and write up of research findings for academic and policy audiences
• PhD qualified in relevant subject area (or pending results)
• Good understanding of how mental health services work in the UK
• Experience of recruiting participants and conducting qualitative interviews on sensitive topics
• Understanding and evidence of experience in evaluating complex interventions and undertaking realist evaluations
• Evidence of ability to deliver research activities to specified milestones
• Excellent communication skills and evidence of ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including patients and the public in research

Research AssociateDesirable criteria

• Experience of working in a mental health setting and assessment of mental health conditions
• Understanding of the literature around preconception health and relevant policy context
• Experience of working with routinely collected healthcare data, including quantitative analysis
• Evidence of ability to contribute to interpretation and write up of research findings for academic and policy audiences

If applying for the Grade 6 Research Associate post:

*Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “Apply Now”. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community. We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's. As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

Please state within your supporting statement which role you are applying for.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our‘How we Recruit’ pages.

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health Clearances.

Grade and Salary:Grade 5 (Research Assistant) - £38,482 to £43,249 per annum inclusive of LWA or Grade 6 (Research Associate) - £44,355 to £47,882 per annum inclusive of LWA

Job ID:121546

Close Date:19-Aug-2025

Contact Person:Dr Claire Wilson

Contact Details:[e-mail]