Senior Research Associate – SAMASTH

Public Health Career; Karnataka; On-site; INR 609,000 - 730,000; Full time

Job summary

The Institute of Public Health Bengaluru is seeking a Senior Research Associate for the SAMASTH project to advance mental health care in state hospitals. You will help implement community-based programs, lead reviews, and ensure data integrity.

Your work will support policy guidance and capacity building across IPH sites. The role requires a PhD/MD in relevant fields or a Master’s with substantial experience, and a minimum of three years in mental health research or related areas.

Qualifications

• PhD/MD in community medicine or psychiatry is required.
• Master’s degree in psychology, psychiatric social work, or mental health therapy may apply.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of community-based mental health programmes as directed by the PI.
• Conduct systematic and scoping reviews relevant to mental health programs.
• Undertake regular field visits and ensure high standards of integrity in research activities.
• Work with the Data Manager to ensure adherence to IPH data policies.
• Perform regular data analysis and prepare interim and final reports for stakeholders.
• Contribute to training activities in mental health and related IPH initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Field visits

Report writing

Education

PhD/MD in Community Medicine or Psychiatry

Master’s in Psychology / Psychiatric Social Work / Mental Health Occupational Therapy

Job description

About Us

Institute of Public Health Bengaluru (IPH Bengaluru) is an academic research institute driven by the need for community-driven action and with a mission to strengthen health policy and systems to ensure healthy communities through a team of committed and value-based professionals. We hope to make a difference with an emphasis on addressing health inequities. Our main activities are organized around the domains of research and action, education and outreach (public/policy engagement). IPH Bengaluru carries out and consolidates its research interests and outputs across the following – T. T. Narasimhan School of Advanced Studies (TTN SoAS), Centre for Commercial Determinants of Health (CDOH), Centre for Health Systems (CHS), and Centre of Adivasi Health (CAH). IPH Bengaluru is recognised by the Ministry of Science and Technology as a Scientific Research Organisation. IPH Bengaluru has a global network of collaborations with leading national and global Universities, NGOs and academia as well as long-term learning sites/field stations as needed for participatory action and community engagement.

Senior Research Associate in SAMASTH

Job Description

SAMASTH project evaluates an integrated program—combining self-harm registers, staff mental health training, and digitally assisted assessments to strengthen mental health care for self-harm patients in state-run general hospitals. It will assess feasibility across three hospitals and measure improvements in mental health assessments, service engagement, repeat self-harm, and staff competencies. Using realist evaluation and Theory-of-Change methods, the study will also inform policy, generate implementation guidance, and build sustainable research and training capacity in self-harm care.

Job Location

The position will be based at Institute of Public Health Bengaluru/Mysore/Chamarajanagar and the post holder will be housed at the Centre for Health Systems.

Service Fee

The basic pay starts around INR 60,000/- per month. The final salary will be mapped as per the institutional pay matrix based on the candidate’s relevant qualifications and experience.

Duration

The appointment will initially be for 12 months, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and extension of the project.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must have completed a PhD/Doctors with community medicine/MD in Psychiatry/ Applicants who are in the final stage of their terminal degree and are expected to graduate within the next three months may also apply/

PhD qualification: Clinicians with experience in mental health, including psychology, psychiatry, occupational health, or psychiatric social work.

Master’s qualification: Master’s degree in psychology, psychiatric social work, or mental health occupational therapy may apply.

Work Experience

Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience.

Roles And Responsibilities (Terms Of Reference)

• The post holder will be based at the Institute of Public Health Bengaluru and will report directly to Dr. Murali Krishna, Principal Investigator.
• Provide leadership in the implementation of community-based mental health programmes as directed by the Principal Investigator.
• Conduct systematic and scoping reviews relevant to mental health programs hosted by the Centre for Health Systems.
• Undertake regular field visits and ensure high standards of integrity in the conduct and delivery of research activities.
• Work closely with the Data Manager to ensure strict adherence to IPH data management policies.
• Perform regular data analysis across mental health programs and prepare interim and final reports for the Principal Investigator and funding agencies.
• Contribute to training activities in mental health, as well as other training and educational initiatives at IPH.

Application Procedure

31st August 2026.

Keep The Following Information/documents Ready For The Online Application

• Your basic details including name, permanent and current address and other identifying details
• Resume/CV (PDF only)
• Name, phone number, and email address of two references who are willing to provide a reference for your work. This could include your teachers/mentors/supervisors.
• One-page statement describing your motivation and fit for applying for this role – upto 100 words (Explaining your interests, strengths and qualifications for this role and how it will benefit your future professional goals)

All applications shall be reviewed and only those that are shortlisted shall be contacted over phone and/or email for an online / in-person interview.

Note: Candidates applying for this position shall not have any economic ties and shall not have represented any tobacco business or organization that represents the interest of the tobacco industry in the past two years.