Research Assistant in Mental Health in London

The Department of Mental Health & Social Work is home to a broad range of researchers whose interests are primarily in applied areas of practice and policy. We have active research interests in relation to the care and treatment of both adolescents and adults with mental health problems, users of social care services and people who misuse drugs and alcohol. Our work focuses on the experience of service users receiving interventions, evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and the implementation of evidence-based interventions in routine practice. Our research is characterised by inter-professional working with many colleagues working collaboratively on common areas of practice, research methodology or policy concern.

There are also strong links and synergies between the research conducted by our staff and their everyday teaching interests and practices. The department has a strong focus on service user involvement and co-production both in relation to healthcare, research and education. This underpins our working practice and feeds significantly into our pedagogic research.

The post holder will report to Dr Tim Weaver and work full-time on an NIHR funded research study, the DISCOVER Implementation Study. DISCOVER is a schools-based mental health intervention for 16–18 year-olds. In a recent trial, DISCOVER was shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression when compared with usual care at 6 months follow-up. It was also shown to be cost-effective. Building on this evidence, the DI study aims to identify the factors that support the effective implementation of DISCOVER in routine practice by Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) which provide mental health services for younger people in schools and colleges across England.

Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), this multi-site, mixed-methods research programme aims to identify key barriers and facilitators to the implementation of DISCOVER and produce guidance to support its nationwide implementation. The postholder will contribute to the project by collecting both survey and qualitative data (from interviews and/or focus groups) from MHST practitioners and school staff and analyse these data to provide a theoretically informed analysis of the process of implementation.

This is a collaborative project that has a central project team led jointly by King's College London and University College London. The successful applicant will work under the day-to-day direction of Dr Tim Weaver at Middlesex but would be expected to operate as a member of the central project team and participate in regular project management meetings. The role will also involve liaison with investigators and researchers working in five regional sites throughout England in order to maintain an overview of activities across the project.

The successful applicant will have experience in qualitative and quantitative research approaches, but a strong track record of undertaking qualitative data analysis (ideally to publication) will be essential to the role. A familiarity with and/or understanding of the theoretical frameworks and research methods employed in implementation science will be essential. It would be expected that the post holders would contribute to the production of academic publications, presentations and writing reports.

Please note CVs will only be accepted in addition to a fully completed application form. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service certificate. You are therefore required to disclose details of any criminal record. ALL criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings, even if they would otherwise be regarded as spent under this Act must be disclosed, as well as any other information that may have a bearing on your suitability for the post, including pending prosecutions. The University will apply for a DBS certificate before your appointment is confirmed.

Middlesex is committed to fostering an inclusive working environment. We encourage applications from underrepresented groups including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups, disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, women, and gender non-conforming individuals. All recruitment decisions will be based on merit. We value diversity and strive to create a fairer, more equitable work environment for our staff and students. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff diversity networks, campus facilities and services to support staff from different backgrounds.

Middlesex is home to a diverse community of professionals. We are a bronze award holder of the Athena Swan Charter and the Race Equality Charter, a Stonewall Top 100 employer and Gold award holder in 2023, and a Disability Confident Leader.