Senior Research Associate

Lancaster University; Bailrigg; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancaster University invites applications for a Senior Research Associate in Lancaster Medical School. The role will conduct a realist-informed process evaluation for the Mouth Matters in Mental Health Trial-2, across multiple sites in the UK.

Applicants should hold a PhD in a related discipline with strong qualitative health research experience. The appointment is 18 months, starting in early 2027, with travel within the UK expected.

Qualifications

• PhD in a related discipline (or equivalent experience) with a strong health research background.
• Experience with qualitative research methods and realist methodologies.
• Willingness to travel within the UK.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a realist-informed process evaluation alongside the clinical trial with senior management support.
• Apply qualitative health research methods to study questions and outcomes.
• Coordinate activities across multiple UK sites and stakeholders.

Skills

Qualitative research

Realist evaluation

Health research

Education

PhD in a related discipline

Job description

Lancaster Medical School
Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK
Salary: £39,906 to £46,049full time, fixed term
Closing Date: Wednesday 14 October 2026
Interview Date: Wednesday 21 October 2026
Reference: 0956-26

Division of Health Research(Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research)Grade7

Full-time

Lancaster University has a world-class reputation as a centre for excellence in teaching and research. It is in the top 1 per cent of universities in the world and highly ranked in each of the UKs major university league tables. Lancaster Medical School, within Lancaster University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine, is seeking to appoint an experienced Senior Research Associate to join the Mouth Matters in Mental Health Trial-2. The trial is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), to evaluate a link work intervention for supporting dental access in people with severe mental health difficulties. It is being conducted across five sites in the United Kingdom (Lancashire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Pennine Manchester, and London) with a truly multidisciplinary team of health researchers, dental researchers, and people with lived experience.

You will be responsible for conducting a realist-informed process evaluation alongside the clinical trial, with support from the senior management team. They will have a strong background in qualitative research methods and health-related research and a PhD in a related discipline (or equivalent experience). Knowledge of mental health research and an understanding of realist methodologies and the processes associated with intervention and evaluation studies would be advantageous.

The post will be based across Lancaster University and Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. It will involve some travel within the UK.

Our team offer a friendly environment that strongly supports the individual needs of each employee and actively promotes a healthy work-life balance. The Faculty is committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies and has held a Silver Athena SWAN award since 2014 in recognition of its good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research.We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements and welcomeapplications from people in all diversity groups.

You will join Lancaster University on an 18-month contract, with a recommended start date of early 2027.

For further information on the role and to discuss any aspects of the position, please contact:

Please note: unless specified otherwise in the advert, all advertised roles are UK based.

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