Senior Research Associate/Research Associate Data Science (MHRG)

Lancaster University has a world‑class reputation as a centre for excellence in teaching and research. It is in the top 1 per cent of universities in the world and highly ranked in each of the UK’s major university league tables. The Division of Health Research (DHR), within Lancaster University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine, is seeking to appoint a Research Associate or Senior Research Associate with experience in data science to join the new Mental Health Research Group (MHRG). The MHRG is a five‑year initiative funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), who have recently awarded Lancaster University almost £11 million to conduct world‑class mental health research in the North West region.

Four initial research themes aim to tackle inequities in access to effective mental health interventions, particularly for those experiencing multiple disadvantages and/or complex mental health issues, who are often excluded from mainstream services. A robust knowledge mobilisation infrastructure will be implemented to ensure that research translates rapidly into significant improvements in health and social care. The voices of diverse individuals with lived experience are central to all aspects of the research programme.

You will work across the Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health Data Science themes with Professor Jo Knight, Dr Laura Goodwin, Dr Thomas Mason and Dr Anastasia Ushakova to analyse mental health care data sets. There will be opportunity through this role to work with novel and linked routine data. This will likely involve a wide range of research skills including statistical analysis, data visualisation, engagement with service users and stakeholders, research ethics and governance applications, and preparing papers for publication. You will demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to present complex statistical findings appropriately for a range of audiences. In year 2 and 3 of the role, there will be space for the successful applicant to propose their own research project using routine data.

You must have a degree or PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline. Ideally, in addition to strong quantitative research skills, you will have a good understanding of mental health research, particularly involving addiction and/or inequalities. Experience working with NHS data sets, and using programmes such as R, Stata, SQL or Python, would be advantageous.

You will be based in the Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research at Lancaster University (Health Innovation campus) and associated with the Centre for Health Informatics, Computing and Statistics, and may involve occasional travel within the UK. The team and the Division of Health Research provide a friendly environment that strongly supports the individual needs of each employee and actively promotes a healthy work‑life balance. The Faculty is committed to family‑friendly and flexible working policies and has held a Silver Athena SWAN award since 2014 in recognition of its good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research.

The post is available to start September 2026 and we will consider against the business needs of the project flexible working arrangements including condensed hours, days/hours worked and flexible start and finish times. You will join Lancaster University on an indefinite contract; however, the role remains contingent on external funding, which at this time is due to come to an end on 30th June 2031.

Applicants wishing to consider the Skilled Worker Route should ensure they meet the points requirement before applying. Further information can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website.

For further information on the role and to discuss any aspects of the position, please contact us. The University recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address all inequality in higher education whilst promoting the importance and wellbeing for all our colleagues. We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.