At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful research on self-harm and suicide prevention within a supportive team.
- Company: Join the NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration at a leading university.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, pension contributions, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact in mental health research while collaborating with diverse experts.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant fields and strong experience in quantitative health services research.
The predicted salary is between 37900 - 44500 £ per year.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced individual to join our team as a Research Associate within the NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GM PSRC), based in the Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to nationally leading research on self‑harm and suicide prevention, working within the Preventing Suicide and Self‑harm Theme of the GM PSRC. You will join a friendly, multidisciplinary team with expertise across behavioural science, epidemiology, health services research and patient safety. This is a full‑time, fixed‑term role until 31 March 2028, based at the University’s Oxford Road campus.
You will be responsible for:
- Leading large‑scale healthcare records research from study initiation through to publication and dissemination
- Designing, conducting and analysing quantitative health services research, with contributions to mixed‑methods studies
- Working closely with patients, clinicians, NHS staff and other stakeholders to optimise study design and impact
- Preparing high‑quality peer‑reviewed publications, reports and dissemination outputs
- Contributing to funding applications, ethical and governance approvals, and cross‑theme collaborations within the GM PSRC
You will work closely with the Theme Leads, Professor Roger Webb and Professor Nav Kapur, and your line manager Dr Leah Quinlivan, and will be actively involved in shaping the research agenda and culture of the Collaboration. We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.
About You
We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:
Essential Criteria:
- A PhD (or equivalent) in epidemiology, psychology, public health, health services research or a related discipline
- Strong experience conducting quantitative health services research using healthcare records
- Experience preparing, cleaning and analysing large observational datasets
- Ability to lead studies through to high‑quality peer‑reviewed publication
- Excellent communication, organisational and collaborative working skills
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience using healthcare records datasets (e.g., CPRD or similar)
- Experience in mixed‑methods or qualitative research
- Experience in self‑harm, suicide prevention or mental health research
- Experience working with patient and public involvement in sensitive research areas
We value rigour, independence and a commitment to research with real‑world impact as much as formal qualifications. Our benefits include:
- Generous employer pension contribution
- 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
- Access to NIHR Academy membership and extensive training and career development opportunities
We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community.
Research Associate (NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration) employer: The University of Manchester
Join the NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration as a Research Associate and be part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team dedicated to impactful research in self-harm and suicide prevention. Located at the University’s Oxford Road campus, we offer a supportive work culture that values diversity and encourages professional growth through extensive training opportunities and a generous benefits package, including a substantial pension contribution and ample annual leave. This role not only allows you to contribute to vital research but also fosters an environment of collaboration and innovation, making it an excellent place for meaningful employment.
Contact Details:
The University of Manchester Recruitment Team
