Research Associate - Cell Soothe

NHS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in Manchester is seeking a dedicated research professional to develop and evaluate digital self-harm interventions for women in prison. The successful candidate will be involved in participant recruitment and data analysis, requiring travel to various prison locations. A strong background in psychology and research experience are essential for this role, which offers a salary range of £38,682 to £46,580 per annum.

Benefits

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Cycle to work scheme

Salary sacrifice car scheme

Blue Light Card Discounts

Qualifications

• Good understanding of analysis and interpretation of statistical/analytical research outcomes.
• Experience of digital mental health research.

Responsibilities

• Assist with writing funding applications for research.
• Conduct and write systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses for publication.
• Liaise with study collaborators and other stakeholders to recruit eligible study participants.
• Prepare and present research reports and presentations.

Skills

Excellent Communication skills (written and verbal)

Computer Literacy - advanced skills in database (eg Microsoft Excel) and word processing packages

Excellent organisational skills

Ability to work under time-pressure and meet strict deadlines

Education

Good Honours Degree in Psychology (2:1 or above)

Master's Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

The Cell-Soothe project aims to co-develop content for a digital self-harm intervention for women in prison and to understand barriers and facilitators to the use of digital interventions within a custodial setting. This preliminary project will:

1. Establish the model of change and theoretical underpinnings of the intervention;

2. Determine preferable and permissible app content and content safeguards;

3. Develop an understanding of prison specific technical requirements and limitations; and

4. Establish a feasible way to deploy and evaluate the app within a prison context.

Job Summary/Purpose

The post-holder will form part of a multi-disciplinary research team that is investigating how to develop and evaluate a digital intervention for women in prison who self-harm. The successful candidate will contribute towards the day-to-day operation of the study. The post-holder will be involved with participant recruitment, data collection, analysis and write-up.

The role will include travel to prisons within the women's estate where the post-holder will be expected to help establish and maintain good relationships between the research team, prison staff and participants.

Main duties of the job

The role will include travel to prisons within the women's estate where the post-holder will be expected to help establish and maintain good relationships between the research team, prison staff and participants.

The post-holder will receive line management support from the Chief Investigator/Project Manager, Forensic Research Unit in Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH). This includes regular line management supervision, clear objective setting for 3, 6 and 12 months and annual appraisals thereafter (depending on continued funding for the post).

About us

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Job responsibilities

Research grants writing

To assist with writing of funding applications for research

Communication and networking

To regularly liaise with the study collaborators and other stakeholders to identify and recruit eligible study participants;

To assist with the promotion of the research to stakeholders;

To contribute towards and write papers about the research in high profile reports and publications;

To help present information on research progress and outcomes to management groups;

To assist with the presentation of research findings at internal and external meetings, and conferences nationally and internationally; and

To liaise with research colleagues and support administrative staff on routine matters.

Research and administrative activities to support funding bids

To conduct and write systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses for publication and to inform future research and grant applications;

To contribute to the development/design of qualitative and quantitative studies with the members of the team;

To assist with the running of any pilot trials or research studies conducted within the team;

To liaise with relevant funding bodies, research support network (e.g. NIHR Research Design Service) and R&I departments of partner organisations;

To assist with the running of any focus groups or consultation groups with service users and/or other stakeholders to inform research;

To assist in servicing meetings, including production of agendas, writing of minutes and reports and taking follow-up action as required; and

To support the Lead and team members on other relevant research/administrative activities as required.

Please see attached job description and person specification

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Blue Light Card Discounts

Person Specification

Education

• Good Honours Degree in Psychology (2:1 or above) and a Master's Degree or equivalent experience
• Possessing or working towards a higher research degree

Knowledge

• Knowledge/experience of analysis and interpretation of statistical/analytical research outcomes
• Experience of digital mental health research

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent Communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to form effective working relationships with colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds
• Computer Literacy - advanced skills in database (eg Microsoft Excel) and word processing packages
• Ability to prepare and present research reports and presentations
• Excellent organisational skills
• Ability to work under time-pressure and meet strict deadlines and prioritise accordingly
• Experience extracting and coding data from clinical case notes
• Experience of writing to publications.

Other Requirements

• Proven track record of high quality publications in peer review journals
• Reliable method for traveling independently across the wide footprint of the Trust and occasionally the North West region to attend meetings and events relevant to the role .
• Evidence of national and international research collaborations

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£38,682 to £46,580 a yearper annum pro rata