Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Embedded Researcher)

The post
The Faculty wishes to recruit a part-time (0.6 FTE) Postdoctoral Fellow, depending on experience, to support the work of Dr Vashti Berry. This UKPRP funded post is available from 1^st May 2025 until 30^th September 2026.

The successful applicant will be working on the ‘Kailo’ program which aims to improve adolescent mental health by taking a radically different approach to prevention and early intervention working alongside communities. The consortium is led by Professor Peter Fonagy at University College London (UCL) and involves partners at the University of Exeter, Dartington Service Design Lab, the Anna Freud Centre and UCL Partners. The evaluation of the Kailo framework is co-led by academics at the University of Exeter and UCL and this post will work with Professor Vashti Berry and partners to deliver the research. The first phase of the work - a developmental, realist-informed evaluation of the Kailo framework – completed in 2024. The final phase is an impact evaluation drawing on contribution analysis and population-level outcome monitoring. The evaluation team are using a mixed-methods research design consisting of semi-structured interviews, participatory workshops, ethnographic observations, document analysis, and secondary analyses of routinely collected data to assess the contribution of Kailo to system change in Northern Devon. For more information about the UKPRP and Kailo visit: https://kailo.community/ and https://ukprp.org/what-we-fund/kailo/.

The post will include collaborating closely with colleagues at the University and project partners, to capture learning about the impact of the Kailo framework in Northern Devon. The post-holder will act as the key embedded researcher within the Northern Devon site and will work closely with others in the Exeter-based evaluation team to collect and analyse data to assess the contribution of the Kailo framework to local system change for the benefit of young people. The role will involve significant stakeholder engagement, including attending meetings, outreach events, and contributing to external communications work as appropriate.

About you
Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within the established research programme. Applicants will be able to possess sufficient specialist knowledge in systems change evaluation, a record of research output in high-quality publications, and proficiency in qualitative data analysis and relevant software. An understanding of UK youth service systems, particularly youth training and employment, and knowledge in the mental health of children and young people are desirable.

The post is an embedded researcher role working within services in Northern Devon. As such, it would suit someone living in or near to Northern Devon and with the ability to travel to service sites.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification on our website (accessed by the 'Apply' button) for full details of this role.

Further information
For further information please contact Vashti Berry, Professor of Prevention Science, e-mail v.berry@exeter.ac.uk or telephone (01392) 723294.

The closing date for completed applications is 21st April. Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 28^th April.

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