At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a team researching mental health in coastal and rural areas, using qualitative methods.
- Company: Northumbria University is a diverse institution with over 37,000 students and a commitment to research excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, generous holidays, and excellent pension schemes.
- Other info: Part-time role (22.2 hours/week) for 21 months, with potential weekend/evening work.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on mental health services while developing your research career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in mental health research, with knowledge of community engagement and ethnographic methods.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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Organisation/Company NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY Research Field Sociology Ethics in health sciences Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 5 Aug 2025 – 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Other Job Status Part-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Coastal and Rural Mental Health Realist Study (CARMHRS) is a 28-month project exploring the ways that people who live in coastal and rural areas look after their mental health and how local mental health services are helping them.
Mental health services in remote coastal and rural areas present challenges both for the people who live in these areas and for the organisations who provide the services. For people who need the services, many challenges relate to poverty, inadequate housing and transport links, and services that do not meet their social and other needs. As well as responding to these issues, service providers face other difficulties relating to staff shortages, poor digital infrastructure and transport infrastructure, and the need to provide standard services, including emergency responses, across large geographical areas. The aims of the CARMHRS study are:
- To improve community mental health systems in Coastal and Rural (CAR) areas by assessing the impact of strategies (such as the Community Mental Health Framework), implemented in CAR regions on improving the accessibility and acceptability of mental health care services for people living there.
- To facilitate a Community of Practice to co-produce a Guide to improving accessibility and acceptability of mental health care services in CAR areas.
The sites are Integrated health care systems (ICS) in CAR areas (Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly, Lincolnshire, and North East and North Cumbria) with two case studies per site, selected by low-income low population density neighbourhoods and related to Primary Care Networks. The fieldwork for this role will be based in the North East and North Cumbria region, exact locations to be decided.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are looking for a multi-skilled and applied mental health researcher, with experience in knowledge mobilisation and research management. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will support the Principal Investigator in delivering research activities for the above NIHR funded project exploring how people living in coastal and rural areas look after their mental health and respond to changes from services designed to better meettheir needs.
You will be a \’researcher-in-residence\’, embedded in two local mental health teams in the North-East and North Cumbria region, using qualitative research skills, and working ethnographicallyto understand how that area is meeting the needs of people from coastal and rural communities. You will work alongside a Community Researcher, who will be researching how local communities are responding to service changes, and as a pair, you will be responsible for developing patient, public and involvement in the project, as well as for data collection (non-participant observation, realist interviews and focus groups, document review) and analysis (realist evaluation). You will also be part of a wider national team and will contribute towards the national Community of Practice for the study.
This is an ideal opportunity for an excellent Research Fellow, keen to work in a supportive context that will enable them to achieve change for mental health care services and people with lived experience and take the next step in their career. You will be actively supported to develop your own research career whilst working with us, including support towards grant writing and publication.As a team we prioritise mental health – both our own and others – and we take positive steps to maintaining a good balance in all things, including work.
Thepost is a part-time position working 22.2 hours per week, on a fixed-term basis for21 monthsfrom the start date.
The days of the week these hours can be worked can be discussed at interview or on notification to the successful applicant. Weekend/evening working may be required occasionally.
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 YOU
Applicants should hold aPhD or equivalent international qualification or commensurate level of recognition/international profile/experience in a relevant discipline. You will also have demonstrable specialist expert knowledgeof the issues to do with mental health for people living and providing services in coastal and or rural areas. You will have knowledge of co-production and community engagement approaches in the context of mental health service improvement and/or research, and knowledge of realist methodology and methods, researcher-in-residence and ethnographic methodologies of inquiry.
To apply for this vacancy please click \’Apply Now\’. Your application should include a covering letter and a CV.
With over 37,000 students from 140+ countries, we offer world-leading research, award-winning partnerships, and an outstanding student experience. We empower our exceptional staff, promoting a positive work-life balance and offering great benefits, including excellent pension schemes, flexible working, generous holiday entitlement andmore .
Our Northumbria Values, co-created by our team, define who we are: Academic Excellence, Innovation, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Ambition. Our Behavioursshape our work culture: We listen and learn, support one another, respect everyone, trust each other, and are bold.
Located in Newcastle upon Tyne and London, we are an on-campus organisation with flexibility in hours and location. We pride ourselves on diversity and inclusivity, holdingnumerousawards for gender and race equality, disability confidence, and research excellence.We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of theEuraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers.The University has implemented a range of flexible working arrangements, and we are happy to explore candidate requirements as part of the recruitment process.
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Research Fellow - Coastal and Rural Mental Health employer: European Commission
Contact Detail:
European Commission Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Fellow - Coastal and Rural Mental Health
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by mental health services in coastal and rural areas. Understanding these issues will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and show how you can contribute to the CARMHRS project.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of mental health research, especially those focused on community engagement and co-production. Attend relevant conferences or workshops to make connections that could support your application and provide insights into the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with qualitative research methods, particularly ethnographic approaches. Be ready to share examples of how you've applied these skills in previous roles, as this will be crucial for the researcher-in-residence aspect of the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your passion for mental health advocacy and community involvement. Highlight any previous work or volunteer experiences that demonstrate your commitment to improving mental health services, as this aligns with the values of Northumbria University and the goals of the CARMHRS project.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Fellow - Coastal and Rural Mental Health
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your cover letter for the Research Fellow position. Highlight your relevant experience in mental health research, particularly in coastal and rural areas, and explain how your skills align with the project's aims.
Showcase Relevant Experience: In your CV, emphasise any previous roles or projects that demonstrate your expertise in knowledge mobilisation, research management, and qualitative research methods. Include specific examples of your work in community engagement and co-production.
Highlight Your Qualifications: Clearly state your PhD or equivalent qualifications in your application. If you have any international recognition or experience, make sure to mention it, as this will strengthen your profile.
Express Your Passion: In both your cover letter and CV, convey your enthusiasm for improving mental health services in coastal and rural communities. Discuss your commitment to making a positive impact and how this role aligns with your career goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at European Commission
✨Understand the Project Goals
Familiarise yourself with the aims of the Coastal and Rural Mental Health Realist Study (CARMHRS). Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with improving mental health services in coastal and rural areas.
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
Highlight your experience in qualitative research, particularly in ethnographic methodologies. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully conducted similar research in the past.
✨Emphasise Community Engagement
Discuss your knowledge of co-production and community engagement approaches. Share any relevant experiences where you have worked closely with communities to improve services or gather insights.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Mental Health
Convey your commitment to mental health issues, especially in rural and coastal contexts. Be prepared to talk about why this role excites you and how you can contribute to positive change in mental health care.