Research Associate (NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration)

Job reference: BMH-031678
Salary: Grade 6 £37,694 to £41,064 per annum according to relevant experience
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Biology, Medicine Health
Location: Manchester
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Division of Psychology and Mental Health
Hours Per Week: Full Time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 20/07/2026
Contract Duration: Fixed term from September 2026 until 31 March 2028
School/Directorate: School of Health Sciences

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced individual to join our team as a Research Associate within the NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GM PSRC), based in the Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to nationally leading research on self‑harm and suicide prevention, working within the Preventing Suicide and Self‑harm Theme of the GM PSRC. You will join a friendly, multidisciplinary team with expertise across behavioural science, epidemiology, health services research and patient safety.

This is a full‑time, fixed‑term role until 31 March 2028, based at the University’s Oxford Road campus.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading large‑scale healthcare records research from study initiation through to publication and dissemination
• Designing, conducting and analysing quantitative health services research, with contributions to mixed‑methods studies
• Working closely with patients, clinicians, NHS staff and other stakeholders to optimise study design and impact
• Preparing high‑quality peer‑reviewed publications, reports and dissemination outputs
• Contributing to funding applications, ethical and governance approvals, and cross‑theme collaborations within the GM PSRC

You will work closely with the Theme Leads, Professor Roger Webb and Professor Nav Kapur, and your line manager Dr Leah Quinlivan, and will be actively involved in shaping the research agenda and culture of the Collaboration.

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You
We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria :

• A PhD (or equivalent) in epidemiology, psychology, public health, health services research or a related discipline
• Strong experience conducting quantitative health services research using healthcare records
• Experience preparing, cleaning and analysing large observational datasets
• Ability to lead studies through to high‑quality peer‑reviewed publication
• Excellent communication, organisational and collaborative working skills

Desirable Criteria :

• Experience using healthcare records datasets (e.g. CRIS, CPRD or similar)
• Experience in mixed‑methods or qualitative research
• Experience in self‑harm, suicide prevention or mental health research
• Experience working with patient and public involvement in sensitive research areas

We value rigour, independence and a commitment to research with real‑world impact as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer pension contribution
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Access to NIHR Academy membership and extensive training and career development opportunities

For more information, please see
https://www.manchester.ac.uk/connect/jobs/benefits-working-here/

You can also find information on Flexible and Hybrid working here:
https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/people/current-staff/flexible-and-hybrid-working/ 

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy:
https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/news/display/?id=32905. 

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews
Name: Dr Leah Quinlivan
Email Address: leah.quinlivan@manchester.ac.uk 

General enquiries and administrative support
recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk 

Technical and job portal support
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

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