Research Associate Qualitative (StaffTIME2)

1000scholars; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Research Associate to support qualitative work on a NIHR-funded workplace trauma study in acute mental health wards. The post involves observations, semi-structured interviews across the UK, leading qualitative data analysis, report writing, and potential contribution to journal papers and conferences.

The role offers opportunities for academic development and close collaboration with the University of Manchester, with a strong

Qualifications

• Proven experience in conducting qualitative research, including interviews or ethnographic methods.
• Experience in qualitative data analysis to a high standard.
• Experience in NHS mental health research or NHS clinical settings.
• Experience recruiting participants from diverse communities under-represented in research (e.g., Black, Asian, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent).
• Desirable: PhD or nearing completion; understanding of identity-based trauma and related issues.

Responsibilities

• Conduct observations on acute mental health wards across the UK.
• Carry out semi-structured qualitative interviews with staff about workplace trauma support interventions.
• Lead on qualitative data analysis, report writing, and manuscript preparation.

Skills

Qualitative interviews

Qualitative data analysis

Mental health research

Diverse participant recruitment

PPIE participation

Education

MSc in psychology or related discipline

PhD desirable

Job description

About the post

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.’

This research associate post is an exciting opportunity to contribute to NIHR-funded mixed-methods research by supporting the qualitative component of a team-based Workplace Trauma Support intervention for staff working on acute mental health wards. The study and its intervention have a particular focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion, and on supporting staff affected by racism, homophobia, and other identity-based trauma.

The post holder will 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 the workplace trauma support intervention. 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.

The post holder will be based with the Research and Innovation Department at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, which hosts a number of large mental health trials and other research studies. The post holder will also have close links with the University of Manchester, School of Health Sciences where the Chief Investigator, Professor Katherine Berry, is based. Both the Trust and the University place a very high value on collaborative working with service users and collaborate with service user groups locally and nationally to support a range of clinical and research initiatives.

About you

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.

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. We strive to be an inclusive research unit, and 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.

You should demonstrate:

Essential criteria

• MSc in psychology or other related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• Experience of conducting qualitative data collection (semi-structured interviews and/or ethnographic interviews)
• Experience of qualitative data analysis to high standard
• Experience of working in mental health research in the NHS and/or NHS clinical settings
• Experience of recruiting research participants from diverse communities that are often under-represented in research, including people identifying as Black, Asian or from diverse ethnic communities; LGBTQIA+; or neurodivergent

Desirable criteria

• PhD in a related field and/or nearly PhD completion
• Understanding of identity-based trauma including racism; homophobia; transphobia
• Experience of working on acute mental health wards
• Experience of PPIE activities

£39,959 to £48,117 per annum. Band 6