Research Support Assistant

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust; Preston; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS organization in the UK is seeking a Research Support Assistant in Mental Health Research to lead recruitment and data collection for an NIHR funded trial. The ideal candidate will have a degree in a relevant discipline and skills in data collection and analysis. This role involves collaborating with clinical teams and conducting assessments, providing an opportunity to work closely with experienced clinical academics. Flexible working patterns are supported, promoting a positive work/life balance.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• At least a degree level qualification in a relevant discipline.
• Competent in data collection and both qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Experience in collaborative clinical trial management is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead on recruitment and data collection for the NIHR funded trial.
• Liaise with clinical teams and meet potential participants.
• Conduct clinical assessments including interviews and self-report measures.

Skills

Data collection

Qualitative analysis

Quantitative analysis

Clinical assessments

Education

Degree level qualification in a relevant discipline

Job description

Overview

You must have at least a degree level qualification in a relevant discipline and knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research designs including clinical trial designs with recruitment and retention targets. You will need to be competent in data collection and both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Experience of working collaboratively in clinical trial management with large multi-disciplinary research teams, and service users/relatives, clinicians and service providers, would be a definite advantage. We are looking for an energetic dynamic, self-directed and committed individual with an interest in becoming a key part of our research team.

About the Role

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint a Research Support Assistant in Mental Health Research, to work in close partnership with the Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research at Lancaster University, in the delivery of an NIHR funded trial Mouth Matters in Mental Health Study. The post starts in April 2026. The successful applicant will lead on recruitment and data collection for a trial. This will involve liaising with clinical teams, meeting potential participants, conducting clinical assessments (e.g. interviews, self-report measures) and managing data. The post-holder will receive clinical supervision and training from experienced clinical academics (e.g. Clinical Psychologists) working in the field of mental health research.

About the Organization

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust is a large health and wellbeing Trust employing over 7000 staff and serving a population across the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System. The Trust provides inpatient and community specialist Mental Health services to children and young people, adults and older adults and also delivers forensic mental health services. Additionally, the Trust provides a range of physical health care community services and children's services. The Trust delivers a wide portfolio of high quality research and is supporting this important study.

Project Focus

People with severe mental health difficulties often experience poor oral health and find it difficult to attend the dentist. This project aims to improve access to dental services in people with severe mental health difficulties.

Collaboration and Ethics

All research through Spectrum is conducted with people with lived experience to ensure that it is focused on priorities relevant to them. The Spectrum team takes an active approach to implementation to influence practices through working at national policy levels as well as training clinicians. See https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/health-and-medicine/research/spectrum

Working Arrangements

LSCFT supports flexible working; we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.