Research Associate - Cell Soothe | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health organization in Manchester seeks a candidate to develop and evaluate a digital intervention for women in prison. Responsibilities include participant recruitment, data collection, and research grant writing. The role offers 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, an excellent pension, and other great benefits.

Benefits

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Excellent pension

Cycle to work scheme

Wellbeing programme

Blue Light Card Discounts

Qualifications

• Experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel for participant recruitment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the day-to-day operation of the study.
• Assist with writing funding applications for research.
• Liaise with study collaborators to recruit eligible participants.

Skills

Participant recruitment

Data collection

Communication with stakeholders

Research grant writing

Education

Relevant degree (e.g. psychology, social sciences)

Job description

Description of the Unit or Project

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:

• Establish the model of change and theoretical underpinnings of the intervention;
• Determine preferable and permissible app content and content safeguards;
• Develop an understanding of prison specific technical requirements and limitations; and
• 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 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).

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7,000 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.

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

Please see attached job description and person specification.

Staff Benefits

• Pay Enhancements
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Excellent pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary sacrifice car scheme
• Wellbeing programme
• Blue Light Card Discounts
• fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)

This advert closes on Tuesday 2 Dec 2025.