Qualitative Research Associate

The successful candidate will became a member of the Qualitative Applied Health Research Centre (QUAHRC) within the Health Services & Population Research Department, and will also be affiliated with the Centre for Affective Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, both within the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London.

The post provides an exciting opportunity to join a thriving centre for qualitative research that uses rigorous and innovative methods to understand and improve the experiences of people with mental health problems. The postholder will work closely with Professor Vanessa Lawrence, Professor in Qualitative Health Research and Head of the QUAHRC at Kings and Professor Cynthia Fu, Professor of Affective Neuroscience & Psychotherapy and Principal Investigator of HOME and BDEP.

About the role:

We invite applications for a Qualitative Research Associate to contribute to two NIHR-funded clinical trials investigating home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a treatment for depression (the “HOME” Trial) and bipolar depression (“BDEP”) within the NHS. HOME aims to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and feasibility of home-based tDCS for individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD), while BDEP will evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety and implementation of home-based tDCS for individuals experiencing bipolar depression.

Both studies include a qualitative process evaluation to explore participants’ experiences of home-based neuromodulation, examine mechanisms through which the intervention influences outcomes and identify barriers and facilitators to implementation and adherence within NHS care settings. The successful candidate will conduct qualitative interviews with trial participants and clinicians and lead the analysis of the qualitative data to inform interpretation of trial outcomes and planning of future implementation strategies. Key responsibilities include:

• Recruit participants to the qualitative process evaluations, liaising closely with the trial manager, research staff and clinical teams.
• Conduct in-depth, sensitive qualitative interviews with people with major depressive disorder participating in HOME, individuals experiencing bipolar depression participating in BDEP, and clinicians involved in delivering the interventions.
• Lead the analysis of qualitative data to develop an in-depth understanding of participants' expectations and experiences of home-based tDCS and to inform the interpretation of trial findings.
• Attend and contribute to study meetings, presenting updates on research progress and qualitative findings to the wider study team.
• Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and contribute to reports, conference presentations, seminars and other dissemination activities for academic, clinical and public audiences.
• Contribute actively to the vibrant research culture of the QUAHRC, bringing ideas and enthusiasm to its programme of research, methodological development and knowledge exchange through initiatives such as research group meetings, the Qualitative Special Interest Group, the Qualitative Open Mic podcast, the Qualitative Summer School, the Qualitative Impact Blog and other collaborative activities.

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract for 18 months.

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro‑ra) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.

About you:

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

• PhD awarded in relevant social science subject.
• Enthusiasm for using qualitative methods that prioritise the lived experience of people with mental health problems and those that support them.
• Experience of working with people with mental health problems.
• Experience of recruiting participants to research studies.
• Experience of conducting qualitative interviews.
• Knowledge and skills in analysing qualitative data.
• Ability to write high quality peer review publications.
• Understanding of ethical and research governance requirements for mental health research.
• Experience of conducting qualitative interviews with people with mental health problems.
• Experience of using the Framework Approach.
• Experience of working in or alongside clinical teams in the NHS.
• Skills in using qualitative software (e.g. NVivo).

Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

Further information:

At King’s, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university.

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We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination. When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King’s guidance.