Job title: Research Assistant – Mental Health Mapping (INTERNAL POST)
Department: Anthropology, Media and Gender Studies
Contract Type: Casual – 12 weeks (14/12/[2026 and 14/05/2027)
Grade:6
Salary: £22.34 – £22.87 per hour inclusive of London allowance and holiday pay
Location:Centre for Anthropology and Mental Health Research in Action (CAMHRA)
Hours: 15 hours per week, 180 hours total
SOAS University of London is the leading Higher Education institution in Europe specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East. SOAS University of London is positioned to play a leading role in reimagining higher education globally, with a new strategic plan in place as the basis for the renewal and revitalisation of the School which commits SOAS to both student responsiveness and research intensity. SOAS is moving towards a new model of international partnerships which is responsive to the transnational character of our global challenges.
About The Role
CAMHRA already collaborates with SOAS researchers from Anthropology, Media and Gender Studies. However, we do not have a complete mapping of colleagues across other SOAS departments and schools who work on distress, wellbeing, recovery, displacement, spirituality, care and addiction, perhaps without labelling it as mental health research. A wider, more epistemically diverse network of researchers across SOAS will help to ensure CAMHRA’s sustainability as a research centre, and support future applications for inter-disciplinary mental health research funding.
MAP-MH@SOAS will systematically identify SOAS researchers who are interested in collaborating with CAMHRA. It will also develop an approach for critically articulating the economic benefit of mental health research, an increasingly important requirement for UKRI funding. It will convene two half-day workshops with CAMHRA colleagues to test where collaboration is possible.
WP1: Mapping (December 2026 – May 2027)
A research assistant with a critical mental health research background, supervised by Harriet Mossop (CAMHRA R&D Officer), will identify SOAS researchers outside SAMG whose work includes mental health. A long‑list will be produced from a systematic, AI‑enabled review of researchers’ Worktribe research profiles using key words (distress, wellbeing, etc). A short‑list will be compiled from publication abstracts and conversations with researchers.
Outputs
(1) a directory of short‑listed researchers giving each researcher's focus, career stage, region, department, methods, and appetite for collaboration. EDI data will be collected with permission.
- A visual map ‘MAP-MH@SOAS’ of the cross‑SOAS mental health research ecology.
- A document explaining and mapping this methodology for RKE to use across other research fields.
About The Department
CAMHRA, located in the Department of Anthropology, Media and Gender Studies, is funded by a five‑year Research England Expanding Excellence grant to develop infrastructure for anthropological research into mental health; the first such infrastructural funding to be received by SOAS. CAMHRA’s discipline‑specific research is gaining strong traction with mental health providers, community groups and funders; increasingly, the Centre is also bringing anthropological approaches to collaborative, interdisciplinary work, and embedding
About You
You can find further information on the key criteria for the role in the Job Description and Person Specification, along with a full list of duties and responsibilities, which can be found on the SOAS website
What We Offer
We are committed to providing a supportive and rewarding work environment. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive range of benefits designed to enhance your well‑being and work‑life balance:
- Generous Holiday Entitlement: Benefit from 44 days of holiday (30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and 5 closure days over Christmas and Easter) to ensure ample time for rest and relaxation.
- Flexible Working Arrangements: We recognise the importance of flexibility and offer options to help you manage your professional and personal commitments effectively.
- Generous occupational pension scheme: To provide financial security for your future
- Learning and Development: We are dedicated to your professional growth and development and offer diverse learning and development opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
- Health and Well‑being Initiatives: Take advantage of our cycle to work scheme, eye tests, and season ticket loan to support your health and mobility.
- Enhanced Family Leave: We offer enhanced maternity, paternity & partner leave, and shared parental leave to support you during significant life events.
- Employee Assistance Programme: Access our confidential EAP for advice and support whenever needed.
- Discounted Gym Membership: Maintain your fitness with our discounted gym membership.
Further information
Please note that the application system does not currently have a save‑and‑return feature. To avoid losing any information, we strongly encourage you to complete and submit your application in one sitting. Make sure you have all necessary details ready before you begin.
Successful candidates will need to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK or have limited leave to remain in the UK and associated right to work for the duration of their employment with SOAS, in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.
We are not able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.
If you have any questions or require any assistance with regard to the application process, please contact us via the HR Contact Form | SOAS
For information on how and why SOAS processes personal data about its job applicants, please read our Job Applicant Notice.
We would particularly welcome applications from candidates from working class, first generation Higher Education, Black, Asian, other minority ethnic and underrepresented groups from within the UK and beyond. All appointment decisions will be made on merit, following a fair and competitive process.
Research Assistant-MHM (INTERNAL) in Camden Town employer: SOAS
SOAS University of London offers a dynamic work environment focused on higher education, particularly in the study of Asia, Africa, and the Near and Middle East. Employees benefit from a commitment to research intensity and student responsiveness, alongside opportunities for professional development within a supportive academic community. The institution is dedicated to fostering international partnerships that address global challenges, making it an attractive place for those looking to contribute to meaningful educational initiatives.
