Senior Research Assistant in Nursing, Midwifery and Health

About the role

Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will support the chief investigator in delivery of research activity on the PIONEER-MH study. The study aims to understand and evaluate the implementation, delivery, costs, and outcomes of community multi-agency first response mental health crisis pathways in England in response to the policing policy ‘Right Care Right Person’. You will work in a research team that includes health professionals, methodologists, topic experts and researchers with lived experience.

The study is a realist evaluation using mixed methods and cost consequence analysis, ideally you will have expertise in realist methods and realist project delivery. Working closely with a full-time senior research assistant with expertise in quantitative methods, statistical analysis and health economic analysis, you will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the qualitative aspects of the project across four study sites in England. Your role will include project set-up, study ethics, supporting public and patient involvement (PPI), realist data collection (interviews, focus groups and workshops), realist data analysis and dissemination of findings. You will also work closely with an NHS project manager and provide support to research assistants and lived experience researchers situated in each study site.

The research will be delivered in four study sites; Cumbria, West Yorkshire, Avon & Wiltshire, and South London and will involve engagement with staff and people accessing services across a number of agencies including NHS Trusts (mental health, ambulance and acute hospital), voluntary and charitable organisations, local authorities and the police. You may be required to travel including occasional overnight stays.

For further information see the job description.

The role is a full-time fixed term post for the duration of the project. The project start date is 01/04/2025, lasting 32 months, ending on 30/11/2027.

Successful candidates should be available to start on, or as soon after, 01/04/2025 as possible.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 therefore the successful candidate will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. 

About the team

This Research Project is sponsored by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and being delivered in partnership with the Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health at Northumbria University. You will be working with methodological and topic experts within Northumbria University and across the partner NHS study sites. 

About you

Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant discipline and have demonstrable specialist expert knowledge in qualitative and realist methods with an interest in mental health research. Having experience of working in collaboration with a range of disciplines, professions and agencies is desirable. Experience of collaborating with research partners with lived experience (PPI) is essential.

Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dr Nicola Clibbens nicola.clibbens@northumbria.ac.uk

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