Research Fellow

We wish to appoint two Research Fellows to develop and deliver research in specific mental health projects, in accordance with the Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Wessex Mental Health Research Hub, under the supervision of the project leads. To undertake data collection, analysis and writing as well as co-ordination of stakeholder engagement, project management and ethics applications. There will be two projects: one will focus on alcohol use in older people, and the other will focus on gambling and alcohol use in military veterans.

There are two Research Fellow posts available, and the two Fellows will work together across the two projects. 

One Research Fellow position would suit an individual with expertise in qualitative methodologies; and the other would suit an individual with expertise in quantitative methodologies (ideally for the latter post with experience of large datasets and working across datasets).  

NIHR ARC Wessex conducts applied health research with the aims of improving outcomes for patients and public; improving quality, delivery and efficiency of health and care services; increasing the sustainability of health and care systems locally and nationally, through collaborative partnership. It has four thematic programmes of work:

•    Healthy Communities

•    Ageing and Dementia

•    Long Term Conditions

•    Workforce & Health systems

NIHR ARC Wessex has an established Mental Health Research Hub, which aims to facilitate inter-disciplinary mental health research across the region. This is achieved through investing in infrastructure to enable leadership of this field of research across Wessex, support growth and development amongst early career applied health researchers, facilitate expansion in patient and public involvement and create better connections between the academic community, the NHS, social care and the third sector. This will help to ensure that the right research questions are asked and that findings can be rapidly translated into treatment and care. The funding will also support a number of research projects which the Fellow will be expected to play a significant role in (e.g. ethics submissions, data collection, analysis and dissemination).  As well as contributing to these projects there will be an expectation that the person appointed will work towards an advanced fellowship application suitable for submission for external funding to funders like the NIHR, MRC or Wellcome.

You will have a relevant PhD or equivalent research-related qualifications and experience in working with qualitative and/or quantitative mental health relevant research (depending on the post applied for). 

Excellent organisational and communication skills are also essential for the role, and the ability to travel to selected locations. The two available posts are each full time (1.0 FTE), funded by NIHR ARC Wessex, until 31/03/2026. Flexible working, part-time/ job share will be considered. 

Applications will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon completion of PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

The posts will be at the level of Research Fellow. 

Informal enquiries are very welcome. Please contact Professor Julia Sinclair (Julia.Sinclair@soton.ac.uk) or Professor Sam Chamberlain (sam.chamberlain@soton.ac.uk) , for further information.

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