Research Associate qualitative

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pay enhancements

Pension scheme

Cycle to work

Job summary

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester is seeking a Research Associate (qualitative) to support an NIHR-funded mixed-methods evaluation of a Workplace Trauma Support intervention for acute mental health ward staff. The role focuses on researching experiences of racism, homophobia, and identity-based trauma.

You will lead on qualitative data analysis, conduct semi-structured interviews, contribute to reports and journal papers, and collaborate with R&D, clinical

Qualifications

• Proven and substantial experience in conducting qualitative research.

Responsibilities

• Lead qualitative data analysis, report writing, and paper write-up.
• Conduct semi-structured qualitative interviews with staff on wards across England.

Job description

Research Associate qualitative (StaffTIME2) | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

CAPTION:

• Company: Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
• Salary: £39,959 - £48,117 per annum
• Hours: Full-time
• Location: Manchester, M40 5BP
• Job type: Contract
• Posting date: 24 Sept 2026
• Closing date: 24 Oct 2026

Summary

Staff who work on inpatient mental health wards experience violence and aggression, verbal abuse, and see patients harming themselves. They also hear about child abuse and other traumatic experiences that patients have experienced in the past. We also know that staff from minoritised communities experience identity-targeted incidents, including racism, homophobia, and transphobia, including discrimination from within the NHS. Together, these experiences are known as 'workplace trauma.'

The post-holder will work alongside colleagues on an NIHR-funded mixed-methods research study to support the qualitative evaluation of a team-based Workplace Trauma Support intervention for staff working on acute mental health wards. The study and its intervention has a focus on supporting staff affected by racism, homophobia, and other identity-based trauma.

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of communities to apply for the post, including people from diverse ethnic communities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and/or who identify as having a disability or as being neurodivergent.

Experience of recruiting research participants from diverse communities that are often under-represented in research would therefore be beneficial for the role, as would an understanding of identity-based trauma, including racism and homophobia; and prior experience of working on acute mental health inpatient wards.

The post holder will be expected to have proven and substantial experience in conducting qualitative research; for example, by having previously assisted in the running of a funded research study and/or postgraduate (Masters or PhD) study, and a track record of publications.

The post holder will liaise with stakeholders, R&D departments, and clinical teams at our study sites (NHS mental health trusts) across England to support study recruitment; and carry out observations of acute mental health wards and conduct semi-structured qualitative interviews with staff members on wards across the UK about their experiences of workplace trauma support interventions. They may be required to assist with other activities, including engagement and consultation with patient and public involvement and staff consultation groups; contribution to trial management; and there may be opportunities to support the supervision of the project's research assistants.

The post holder will lead on qualitative data analysis, report writing, and paper write-up, and there will be opportunities for academic development, including contribution to journal papers and presentations at national/international conferences.

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.

See attached detailed job description and person specification:

Staff benefits

• Pay Enhancements - 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
• 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

This advert closes on Wednesday 7 Oct 2026

Further Information and Requirements

Experience of recruiting research participants from diverse communities that are often under-represented in research would therefore be beneficial for the role, as would an understanding of identity-based trauma, including racism and homophobia; and prior experience of working on acute mental health inpatient wards. The post holder will be expected to have proven and substantial experience in conducting qualitative research; for example, by having previously assisted in the running of a funded research study and/or postgraduate (Masters or PhD) study, and a track record of publications. The post holder will liaise with stakeholders, R&D departments, and clinical teams at our study sites (NHS mental health trusts) across England to support study recruitment; and carry out observations of acute mental health wards and conduct semi-structured qualitative interviews with staff members on wards across the UK about their experiences of workplace trauma support interventions. They may be required to assist with other activities, including engagement and consultation with patient and public involvement and staff consultation groups; contribution to trial management; and there may be opportunities to support the supervision of the project's research assistants. The post holder will lead on qualitative data analysis, report writing, and paper write-up, and there will be opportunities for academic development, including contribution to journal papers and presentations at national/international conferences.

Staff who work on inpatient mental health wards experience violence and aggression, verbal abuse, and see patients harming themselves. They also hear about child abuse and other traumatic experiences that patients have experienced in the past. We also know that staff from minoritised communities experience identity-targeted incidents, including racism, homophobia, and transphobia, including discrimination from within the NHS. Together, these experiences are known as 'workplace trauma.' The post-holder will work alongside colleagues on an NIHR-funded mixed-methods research study to support the qualitative evaluation of a team-based Workplace Trauma Support intervention for staff working on acute mental health wards. The study and its intervention has a focus on supporting staff affected by racism, homophobia, and other identity-based trauma., 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.

• Pay Enhancements - 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
• 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