At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead groundbreaking research on mental health outcomes for young adults in marginalised communities.
- Company: Body & Soul, an award-winning charity focused on suicide prevention.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible working days, and the chance to co-author impactful research.
- Other info: Collaborate with experts and contribute to vital research in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while advancing your research career.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in mental health research; strong quantitative and qualitative skills required.
Reporting To: Co-Director of Body & Soul
Duration: Approximately 45 days in total over 2 years.
Salary: £400–£550 per day depending on experience and skills. The exact daily rate and allocation of days will be agreed with the successful candidate to reflect their experience, preferred approach and project needs.
Context to the Role: Body & Soul Charity is an award-winning suicide prevention charity working with marginalised communities who have been historical and systemically let down by traditional mental and physical healthcare systems. Our pioneering suicide prevention approach is grounded in decades of research, evidence and lived experience. This research project sits within our You Are Not Alone Suicide Prevention Programme, which is for young adults, 16-35 year olds, who are struggling with suicidality and self-harm. We are embarking on a 2-year research project funded by Prudence Trust to investigate; What is the most effective way to sustain young people’s mental health outcomes and prevent re-entry into crisis following therapeutic interventions? This project speaks to a significant gap in the academic literature, and the findings will have important clinical implications. We have already conducted a pilot study with 30 participants which has indicated promising results.
Purpose of the Role: To play a leading role in Body & Soul’s funded 2-year research study on how to sustain young people’s mental health outcomes and prevent re-entry into crisis. You will be joining a multi-disciplinary team who hold expertise in suicidality, mental health, trauma, marginalised communities, equitable healthcare, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and working with young people. You will be working with a longitudinal dataset tracking young people through and beyond therapeutic intervention, combining validated clinical outcome measures, service-use data, and lived-experience narratives. You will hold expertise in researching mental health and working with quantitative and qualitative longitudinal data, and be able to lead on the study design, data collection protocol, data analysis, data interpretation, and academic writing of the paper. As the lead researcher, you will support us to supervise the work of research interns who will support with participant recruitment, data collection and data entry.
Deliverables: Deliverables will be agreed with the Co-Director and Research Advisor and refined as the project develops. They are expected to include:
- A study design and data collection protocol for the 2-year study.
- A research ethics submission and supporting documentation.
- Cleaned, documented datasets and analysis code, prepared for reproducibility.
- Analysis and interpretation of the study findings.
- A co-authored academic paper suitable for publication, and materials for presenting the work at conferences and to collaborators within the field.
- Periodic progress updates to the team.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- A PhD (completed or near completion) in psychology, public health, mental health research, or a related quantitative social science discipline.
- Demonstrable experience independently leading empirical mental health research, from study design through to publication.
- Expertise in longitudinal data collection and analysis, including familiarity with the methodological challenges of participant retention and missing data over time.
- Strong quantitative skills and proficiency in at least one statistical package (e.g. R or Python); strong qualitative analysis skills and experience with mixed-methods designs.
- A strong command of the relevant mental health research literature, and the ability to identify gaps and frame research questions that would make novel, publishable contributions.
- Experience conducting research with vulnerable or marginalised populations, and a working understanding of the ethical and safeguarding considerations this involves.
- Familiarity with research ethics approval processes and data protection (GDPR) requirements.
- A track record of academic writing and publication, or clear evidence of the ability to produce publishable work.
- Experience working within or collaborating with service delivery organisations, ideally in the charity sector, and experience working with organisational databases.
- Experience supervising or mentoring junior researchers (desirable).
- Knowledge of suicidality, self-harm, trauma, or DBT-informed approaches (desirable, not essential — the wider team holds this expertise).
Personal Qualities and Attributes:
- Responsible and committed: Holds their responsibility for this project with care and commitment, maintaining awareness that it is a project with and for a vulnerable and complex population.
- Relational: Willing to work collaboratively and relationally with a multi-disciplinary team.
- Exceptional organisation and time-management: Manages the leadership of a long-term project, keeping to timelines and coordinating competing demands across the two years.
- Clear communication: Communicates clearly and sensitively with colleagues, research participants, and in academic writing.
- Humility: Openness and curiosity to learn from those speaking from different disciplines to you.
- Proactive: Takes initiative to solve problems in creative and collaborative ways.
- Measured: Responds calmly and competently in high-pressure situations.
- Awareness of power, positionality and privilege: Committed to working in an anti-racist environment which holds awareness of systemic power structures.
Unique Opportunity:
- To work with a rich longitudinal dataset tracking young people through and beyond therapeutic intervention, combining validated clinical outcome measures, service-use data, and lived-experience narratives, a combination rarely available in suicide-prevention research.
- To conduct research with and for young people from marginalised communities who are often not represented in the wider research field.
- To co-author the research and share it at global mental health conferences.
- To learn from and work alongside experts in the mental health field.
Additional Requirements:
- Commitment to the 2-year research project, and working collaboratively to allocate days throughout the year to reflect the varying demands of the project.
- Commitment to the values, aims, and ethos of Body & Soul.
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit the following by 2 August 2026. We are welcoming of pre-application conversations, so please reach out if you would like to arrange this too:
- A CV (maximum three pages).
- A cover letter (maximum one page) describing your relevant research experience, your interest in this project, and your fit with Body & Soul's values.
- A writing sample (a published paper, working paper, or thesis chapter) that demonstrates your research and academic writing.
- A short note on your availability and how you would structure your days across the two years.
Mental Health Researcher in London employer: Body & Soul Charity
Body & Soul Charity is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community, particularly in preventing suicide and enhancing wellbeing. With a supportive work culture that fosters professional growth, this role offers invaluable experience in strategic funding development, allowing you to thrive early in your fundraising career while contributing to a vital cause. Located in England, employees benefit from a collaborative environment that prioritises personal development and community engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mental Health Researcher in London
✨Get Involved with Psychology Networks
Join local psychology groups or online forums to connect with professionals and get the inside scoop on temporary opportunities. Engaging in these communities can lead to recommendations that might not be advertised anywhere else!
✨Showcase Your Skills with Voluntary Work
Consider taking on voluntary roles in mental health charities or community programmes. This not only builds your experience but also helps you make valuable connections that could lead to temporary positions.
✨Keep Your Applications Customised and Fresh
Given the temporary nature of the roles, be super quick with your applications. Tailor your cover letter to highlight your adaptability and readiness for immediate start dates, and don't hesitate to apply through our website for the best chances!
✨Attend Career Fairs and Workshops
Look out for career fairs or workshops specifically aimed at psychology students and graduates. These events are perfect for networking and discovering temporary roles directly with employers—plus you can often leave a lasting impression in-person!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Academic Background:In the psychology field, highlighting your academic achievements is crucial. Make sure your CV emphasises your relevant coursework, grades, and any special projects or research you've undertaken in psychology. We want to see how your studies have prepared you for the role at Body & Soul Charity.
Tailor Your Personal Statement:Your personal statement is your chance to shine. Focus on your passion for psychology and how this temporary role fits into your career goals. Discuss any relevant experiences or skills that make you a great fit for Mental Health Researcher at Body & Soul Charity and tie it back to your motivation for applying.
Mention Any Relevant Experience:Whether it’s internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs, relevant experience can set you apart. Highlight any practical applications of psychology you've been involved with, such as counselling, research assistance, or community outreach. It's all about demonstrating your hands-on understanding of the field!
Stay Flexible and Open-Minded:Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your adaptability in your cover letter. Let Body & Soul Charity know that you're ready to jump in and learn, and that you can handle quick changes in tasks. We want to see how you'll thrive in a dynamic environment while contributing to the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Body & Soul Charity
✨Showcase Your Empathy Skills
In psychology, your ability to connect with others is crucial. Be ready to discuss how you've demonstrated empathy and understanding in past roles or academic projects. Prepare a couple of real-life examples from your studies or any volunteer work that showcase your strength in this area.
✨Understand the Role’s Context
A temporary position in psychology may involve specific populations or clinical settings. Familiarise yourself with any special considerations or methodologies that apply to the context of the job at Body & Soul Charity. This could include particular therapeutic approaches or assessment tools - knowing these can set you apart.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that require you to think on your feet and apply psychological principles in real-world scenarios. Practise how you would approach a hypothetical situation, perhaps dealing with a distressed client or assessing their needs. This will demonstrate your problem-solving abilities effectively.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Temporary roles often require us to adapt quickly to new environments and challenges. Be sure to emphasise your ability to step into various roles or tasks as needed. Share examples that show how you've thrived in changing situations or learned new skills rapidly.
