At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to research and implement mental health interventions for young people.
- Company: Newcastle University, a global leader in inclusive education and research.
- Benefits: Generous holiday package, health initiatives, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and enjoy excellent career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's mental health while gaining valuable research experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in qualitative research and a passion for mental health and education.
The predicted salary is between 33951 - 46049 € per year.
Salary: Research Assistant - £33,951 to £35,608 per annum
Research Associate - £36,636 to £46,049 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 28 May 2026
The Role
We are seeking a highly motivated Research Assistant/Associate to join the DISCOVER Implementation Study, a multi-site mixed-methods research programme investigating the sustainability and scale‑up of DISCOVER, a schools-based mental health intervention for young people aged 16 to 18 years. Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research Programme and led by Professor June Brown (King’s College London), the study is being delivered across five NHS regions in England in collaboration with Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs), schools, and Higher Education Institutions responsible for MHST training. The project builds on the successful BESST trial and aims to understand how DISCOVER can be implemented effectively and sustainably within real-world NHS and school settings.
The Research Assistant/Associate will contribute to both the practical implementation of DISCOVER and the evaluation of how the intervention is delivered across different regions. Working within the Population Health Sciences Institute at Newcastle University, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary research team and regional partners. The role will involve conducting qualitative and quantitative data collection, including interviews, focus groups and observational fieldwork within schools and partner organisations. You will also support monitoring of implementation activities, engage with stakeholders including MHST teams and educators, and contribute to research outputs and dissemination activities.
We are looking for a candidate with experience of qualitative research methods and an interest in implementation research, mental health, and working with young people or within education or health settings. The successful candidate will have strong organisational and interpersonal skills, the ability to work collaboratively within a multi-site research project, and a commitment to high-quality and ethical research practice. This role will involve engagement with partners across the region and occasional travel to research sites. Due to the nature of the work, appropriate DBS clearance will be required. The 12-month fixed‑term post offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to an important programme of research aimed at improving access to evidence-based mental health support for young people.
For appointment at Research Associate, the candidate will require a PhD (or have submitted and awaiting viva) in psychology, public health, social sciences, education or a related field.
Key Accountabilities
- Observing Site-level Implementation
- Attend WP2 team meetings
- Observe recruitment activities within schools (e.g., assemblies, briefing sessions)
- Attend DISCOVER workshops (where appropriate) as a non-participant observer
- Gather site level measures on fidelity to the DISCOVER model
- Record contextual factors influencing implementation (e.g., school culture, staffing, capacity)
- Contribute field notes to the WP3 implementation journal
- Ensure observations are conducted ethically, maintaining confidentiality and safeguarding standards
- Qualitative Data Collection
- Recruit participants for interviews and focus groups (students, MHST staff, teachers, training providers)
- Conduct semi-structured interviews (remote and/or in person)
- Support or facilitate focus groups
- Maintain secure audio recordings and transcripts
- Produce high-quality field notes and summaries
- Contribute to iterative feedback loops to inform implementation strategy
- Supporting MHSTs During Implementation
- Liaise regularly with 2-3 MHST teams in their assigned region
- Support tracking of recruitment (schools and students) and liaise with central project management team
- Assist in monitoring workshop delivery schedules
- Support tracking of student follow-up completion (e.g., 3‑ and 6‑month measures via POD)
- Help identify barriers and facilitators emerging during delivery
- Provide practical coordination support where appropriate (e.g., scheduling interviews, communication support)
- Quantitative Data Support
- Monitoring recruitment numbers and demographic data at a site level
- Monitoring completion rates of students (e.g., information meeting attendance, participation in 1:1 meetings, workshop attendance, follow-ups) and staff retention within MHST teams
- Supporting data entry or quality checks where required and central tracking of implementation metrics (e.g., school participation, student attendance, follow-ups) working with the wider research team
- Supporting the collection of data relating to MHST staff training (e.g., willingness to be involved in the training, views of training) and structured feedback about workshop sessions from both staff and students
- Working with the wider research team to contribute to descriptive and inferential statistical analyses examining reach, levels of take-up, and potential inequalities in access and uptake across SUSTAIN and SCALE region
- Contributing to documentation required for health economic costing as appropriate
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain positive relationships with MHSTs, schools, and HEIs
- Communicate clearly and professionally with stakeholders
- Support dissemination activities (e.g., summaries, presentations, stakeholder workshops)
- Contribute to reporting for regional leads and central study team
- Professional Engagement And Development
- Participate in regional and cross-site team meetings, including WP2 and WP3 meetings
- Contribute to shared reflective learning across regions, including discussion of implementation challenges and emerging findings
- Engage in regular supervision with the site lead and contribute to collaborative problem-solving within the study team
- Be supported to access relevant institutional training and professional development opportunities aligned with the role (e.g., safeguarding training, qualitative methods, implementation science, research governance)
The Person (Essential) Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Experience conducting qualitative research including interviews and/or focus groups
- Experience working with young people or within education, health or community settings
- Understanding of data governance requirements including GDPR and experience handling sensitive data securely
- Ability to work independently across multiple sites
- Strong organisational, interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary and multi-institution research teams
- Understanding of ethical research practice including confidentiality and safeguarding
- Willingness to travel to research sites
Desirable
- Experience in implementation research or evaluation studies
- Experience working within NHS services, schools or education settings
- Experience supporting mental health or wellbeing programmes
- Experience of mixed-methods research
- Experience using qualitative analysis software such as NVivo
- Experience working on multi-site research projects
- Knowledge of adolescent mental health
Attributes and Behaviour (essential)
- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders including researchers, practitioners, educators and young people
- Ability to prioritise tasks and manage competing demands
- Flexible approach to research delivery and fieldwork
- Commitment to inclusive and ethical research practice
Qualifications
- A degree in psychology, public health, social sciences, education or a related field and equivalent research experience (for appointment at Research Assistant)
- PhD (or have submitted and awaiting viva) in psychology, public health, social sciences, education or a related field, and equivalent research experience (for appointment at Research Associate)
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution. We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population. At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme. In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Research Assistant/Associate (DI Study) employer: Newcastle University
Newcastle University is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. With generous holiday packages, comprehensive pension schemes, and a commitment to diversity, the university fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for those passionate about mental health research and working with young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Assistant/Associate (DI Study)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Newcastle University, especially those in the Population Health Sciences Institute. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on qualitative research methods and implementation strategies. We want to show that we’re not just passionate about mental health but also know our stuff!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Set up mock interviews with friends or mentors to get comfortable discussing our experiences and how they relate to the role. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the team!
We think you need these skills to ace Research Assistant/Associate (DI Study)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Research Assistant/Associate role. Highlight your experience with qualitative research methods and any relevant work with young people or in educational settings. We want to see how you fit into our mission!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your organisational and interpersonal skills. We love seeing how you’ve collaborated in multi-disciplinary teams before.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your passion for mental health and implementation research shines through. We appreciate straightforward communication, so let’s keep it simple!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Newcastle University
✨Know Your Research
Before the interview, dive deep into the DISCOVER Implementation Study and understand its goals. Familiarise yourself with the key players involved, like Professor June Brown, and be ready to discuss how your skills align with the study's objectives.
✨Showcase Your Qualitative Skills
Since the role involves qualitative research methods, prepare examples of your past experiences conducting interviews or focus groups. Be ready to discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as this will demonstrate your problem-solving abilities.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Highlight your experience in building relationships with various stakeholders, especially in educational or health settings. Think of specific instances where you successfully collaborated with teams or individuals, as this will show your interpersonal skills are up to scratch.
✨Be Ready for Ethical Discussions
Given the nature of the research, be prepared to discuss ethical considerations, including confidentiality and safeguarding. Show that you understand the importance of these aspects in research, especially when working with young people.
