Research Assistant – UKRI Mental Health Research Hub

Faculty of Health

Peninsula Medical School

About the role

The Community and Primary Care Research Centre, Faculty of Health, Peninsula Medical School is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Research Assistant to bring experience of mental health research. You will work on a UKRI-funded Mental Health Research Hub which aims to improve care and outcomes for people with complex emotions associated with diagnoses such as Borderline Personality Disorder. The role will be key in supporting the Research Fellow and Hub Director to deliver the research programme, whilst working closely with partners including the Lived Experience Advisory Panel.

This role includes contributing to research ethics applications and helping to deliver qualitative and quantitative work packages. You will also also be expected to engage with diverse stakeholders with support from the Research Fellow (including experts by experience, professionals, policy makers, commissioners and the public), and to support dissemination.

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role please contact Becky Hardwick via email at rebecca.hardwick@plymouth.ac.uk and cc Richard Byng at Richard.byng@plymouth.ac.uk.

This is a part time position working 22.2 hours per week (0.6 FTE) on a fixed-term basis for up to 24 months due to funding. The days of the week these hours can be worked can be discussed at interview or on notification to the successful applicant.

For this role, you will need to be on site 1 days a week. Although we can acommodate working from home for this role, flexibility to be on-site will be expected due to business needs.

The successful candidate may be required to obtain an ATAS Certificate prior to this research being undertaken.

For more information on Peninsula Medical School please visit our dedicated webpage at https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools

For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.

What we’re looking for

You will bring essential experience of using both qualitative and quantitative research methods including undertaking qualitative interviews and designing and administering online surveys using software such as RedCap. Experience of undertaking research on sensitive topics and with vulnerable and seldom heard groups is a key part of this role. You will work collaboratively with people with lived experience of mental illness as research partners, so previous experience is essential, along with experience of recruiting mental health service users and mental health professionals to research studies.

Applicants must hold a first degree or equivalent in health services or related subject. Experience of health or social care research in a related field is also essential. You will have experience of working with people with mental health problems or other vulnerabilities.

About us

The Faculty of Health holds four Silver Athena Swan awards, which recognise our commitment to supporting gender equality within higher education.

Application Process

Please apply online via the ‘Apply’ button above, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.

Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.

Anticipated Interview Date(s): Interviews will take place online during the week commencing the 22^nd September 2025

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