Research Assistant in Mental Health

FTC – 21 Months

The Department of Mental Health & Social Work is home to a broad range of researchers whose interests are primarily in applied areas of practice and policy. Reflecting this we have active research interests in relation to the care and treatment of both adolescents and adults with mental health problems, users of social care services and people who misuse drugs and alcohol. (The Department hosts the Drug & Alcohol Research Centre [DARC]).

Our work focuses on the experience of service users receiving interventions, evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and the implementation of evidence-based interventions in routine practice. Our research is characterised by inter-professional working with many colleagues working collaboratively on common areas of practice, research methodology or policy concern. 

There are also strong links and synergies between the research conducted by our staff and their everyday teaching interests and practices. The department also has a strong focus on service user involvement and co-production both in relation to healthcare, research and education. This underpins our working practice and feeds significantly into our pedagogic research. Research Assistant (The DISCOVER Implementation Study) The post holder will report to Dr Tim Weaver and work full-time on an NIHR funded research study. (The DISCOVER Implementation Study – The DI Study. 

DISCOVER is a schools-based mental health intervention for 16–18 year-olds. In a recent trial DISCOVER was shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression when compared with usual care at 6 months follow-up. It was also shown to be cost-effective. Building on this evidence, the DI study aims to identify the factors that support the effective implementation of DISCOVER in routine practice by Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) which provide mental health services for younger people in schools and colleges across England – and the schools within which DISCOVER is delivered. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) this multi-site, mixed-methods research programme aims to identify key barriers and facilitators to the implementation of DISCOVER and produce guidance to support its nationwide implementation. 

The postholder will contribute to the project by collecting both survey and qualitative data (from interviews and/or focus groups) from MHST practitioners and school staff and analyse these data to provide a theoretically informed analysis of the process of implementation. This is a collaborative project that has a central project team led jointly by King’s College London and University College London. 

The successful applicant will work under the day-to-day direction of Dr Tim Weaver at Middlesex but would be expected to operate as a member of the central project team and participate in regular project management meetings. The role will also involve liaison with investigators and researchers working in five regional sites throughout England in order to maintain an overview of activities across the project. The successful applicant will have experience in qualitative and quantitative research approaches, but a strong track record of undertaking qualitative data analysis (ideally to publication) will be essential to the role. 

A familiarity with and /or understanding of the theoretical frameworks and research methods employed in implementation science will be essential. It would be expected that the post holders would contribute to the production of academic publications, presentations and writing reports. 

The University will apply for a DBS certificate before your appointment is confirmed.

To discuss the post please contact Dr Tim Weaver via email at t.weaver@mdx.ac.uk 

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