Research Assistant / Associate Research Fellow at University of Plymouth

The key purpose of this role is to support a local evaluation of the changes to service delivery in relation to the Care Programme Approach for people with mental health problems.  This evaluation forms part of an ongoing series of evaluations undertaken by the University of Plymouth regarding the changes to mental health care brought about by the Community Mental Health Framework for Adults and Older Adults 2019.

Supported by a more senior researcher, you will embed yourself in a local mental health care system to undertake data collection and analysis, liaise with different stakeholders across local mental health service provision, and feedback initial and final findings to NHS staff teams.  As all service changes within Somerset are created with service user (‘expert by experience’) input, stakeholder liaison will include working with people with experience of mental health problems.  With guidance from a more senior researcher, you will actively promote opportunities for rapid learning amongst clinicians, service users, carers, community and voluntary sector partners and the wider NHS.

You will be supported to undertake a Realist evaluation of how, why and under what circumstances change takes place.  This will primarily involve undertaking qualitative research, for example, workshops and focus groups, in depth interviews, observation work in meetings in clinical and community settings within Somerset.  Although this post will involve being embedded within the Somerset mental health care system, and the successful candidate is expected to be able to travel as required to sites, this role is mostly remote; you can choose to work mostly at home or at the CPCRG offices in Plymouth with the agreement of your line manager. 

You will also be involved in the publication and dissemination/utilisation of findings both locally and nationally.  An important aspect of this role will be working with other researchers, who are employed as practitioners within the evaluation site.  You will work as an embedded researcher (a researcher in residence) in the Somerset mental health care system and be a part of the Plymouth University Community and Primary Care Research Group (CPCRG) (https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/primarycare).  CPCRG has an active supportive group of researchers in residence and is home of the Realist Hive; there will be opportunity to be involved in these groups.  CPCRG works closely with the South West Peninsula Applied Research Collaboration (PenARC); this project is aligned with the PenARC Mental Health Research initiative (https://arc-swp.nihr.ac.uk/research/projects/penmhri/).

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role please contact Charley Hobson-Merrett by email charley.hobson-merrett@plymouth.ac.uk.

This is a part-time position working 22.2 hours per week on a fixed-term basis for 12 months due to funding.

Flexible working options will be considered.

This role will require an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check plus an Adult’s Barred List check.

Please demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.

Closing Date: 12 Midnight, Monday 28^th August 2023

Interviews are likely to take place week commencing Monday 11^th September 2023.

We offer a competitive salary package and a generous pension and holiday scheme. We also offer a range of other benefits, including ongoing development opportunities.