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- Tasks: Conduct qualitative research on enhanced patient observation in psychiatric wards.
- Company: Join UCL, a leading institution in mental health research and education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 41 days holiday, a pension scheme, and on-site gym access.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on mental health while working in an inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: PhD or in the process of completing one in psychology or related fields required.
- Other info: Part-time applications considered; role starts October 2025.
The predicted salary is between 38700 - 43800 £ per year.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Qualitative Methods
University College London
- North West London
- £45,103-52,586 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
- 3 hours ago
About us
The research base for this post is in the UCL Division of Psychiatry, with a research link to Noclor (North Central London Research Consortium; our local NHS Research Office). The UCL Division of Psychiatry, located within the Faculty of Brain Sciences, is a world-renowned centre of excellence in mental health research. Our mission is to improve mental health through cutting-edge research and education. By leveraging insights from basic science, we address clinical problems with the aim of improving patient outcomes and public health. Moreover, we take pride in delivering innovative teaching that is directly relevant to clinical practice and informed by our research. Join our team and help us drive forward the field of mental health research and education.
We are seeking an enthusiastic individual with experience of qualitative research methods to work on a new grant funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme investigating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of enhanced patient observation (EPO) in reducing the risk of suicide and self-harm for inpatients.
About the role
The main purpose of this role is to conduct Freedom of Information requests to collate data on service innovation, good practice and poor practice in enhanced patient observation (EPO) on psychiatric wards nationally (Work package 1, Year 1). The postholder will conduct interviews and analyse data for a qualitative study exploring inpatients\’, carers and ward staff experiences of EPO for self-harm risk (Work package 2, Years 1 and 2). This is a critical phase of a larger grant to evaluate the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and acceptability of EPO.
Appointee details:
- The role is offered in the range of £45,103 to £52,586 per annum, including London weighting allowance.
- The post is funded for 2 years full-time (part-time applications will be considered) and is available from October 2025.
- Any offer of employment will be subject to a standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
About you
You will have a PhD (or be writing up a PhD) in psychology or a related scientific or social science discipline, with a good understanding and experience of qualitative research methods in the development and evaluation of health care systems or interventions. Strong knowledge of ethical considerations when working with vulnerable adults, including those related to data protection, are essential. You will have excellent interpersonal, organisational, and oral and written communication skills.
Application process:
- A full job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
- Please use the personal statement section to explain how you meet each essential and desirable criterion outlined in the person specification.
- Please do not upload your photograph on your application.
- The advert will close midnight on 25 August 2025.
- Interview date to be confirmed. They will be held in person, or remote for those unable to travel that day.
Contact details:
- If you have any queries about the role, please contact Dr Sarah Rowe at s.rowe@ucl.ac.uk.
- If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact dop.hr@ucl.ac.uk.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, UCL also offer some great benefits, of which some are below:
- 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave, 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- On-Site nursery
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London\’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world\’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL\’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; and LGBTQI+ people.
The Division of Psychiatry prides itself for operating in an all-inclusive environment. Teamwork is highly valued, individual strengths are recognised and celebrated, and there is a commitment to advancing the careers of everyone, regardless of gender or role. We aim to provide a family-friendly environment where both women and men feel able to take the time they need for family. The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing women\’s careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in academia and the Division is delighted to have an Athena Swan Silver Award since 2022. All staff are invited to contribute to EDI initiatives within the Division to contribute to improving working conditions and opportunities for all. Mentoring is a crucial part of supporting career progression and mentoring schemes are available for staff in the Division.
#s1-Gen
About you You will have an PhD (or be writing up a PhD) in psychology or a related scientific or social science discipline, with a good understanding and experience of qualitative research methods in the development and evaluation of health care systems or interventions. Strong knowledge of ethical considerations when working with vulnerable adults, including those related to data protection, are essential. You will have excellent interpersonal, organisational, and oral and written communication skillsApplication process
The full range of staff benefits can be found here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/pay-benefits/staff-benefitsOur commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion As London\’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world\’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL\’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; and LGBTQI+ people.The Division of Psychiatry prides itself for operating in an all-inclusive environment. Teamwork is highly valued, individual strengths are recognised and celebrated, and there is a commitment to advancing the careers of everyone, regardless of gender or role. We aim to provide a family friendly environment where both women and men feel able to take the time they need for family. The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing women\’s careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in academia and the Division is delighted to have an Athena Swan Silver Award since 2022. All staff are invited to contribute to EDI initiatives within the Division to contribute to improving working conditions and opportunities for all. Mentoring is a crucial part of supporting career progression and mentoring schemes are available for staff in the Division.You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychiatry/about/equality-diversity-and-inclusion https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/Available documents University College London
About us The research base for this post is in the UCL Division of Psychiatry, with a research link to Noclor (North Central London Research Consortium; our local NHS Research Office). The UCL Division of Psychiatry, located within the Faculty of Brain Sciences, is a world-renowned centre of excellence in mental health research. Our mission is to improve mental health through cutting-edge research and education. By leveraging insights from basic science, we address clinical problems with the aim of improving patient outcomes and public health. Moreover, we take pride in delivering innovative teaching that is directly relevant to clinical practice and informed by our research. Join our team and help us drive forward the field of mental health research and education.We are seeking an enthusiastic individual with experience of qualitative research methods to work on a new grant funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme investigating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of enhanced patient observation (EPO) in reducing the risk of suicide and self-harm for inpatients.About the role The main purpose of this role is to conduct Freedom of Information requests to collate data on service innovation, good practice and poor practice in enhanced patient observation (EPO) on psychiatric words nationally (Work package 1, Year 1). The postholder will conduct interviews and analyse data for a qualitative study exploring inpatients\’, carers and ward staff experiences of EPO for self-harm risk (Work package 2, Years 1 and 2). This is a critical phase of a larger grant to evaluate the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and acceptability of EPO.Appointee details:
- The role is offered in the range of £45,103 to £52,586 per annum, including London weighting allowance.
- The post is funded for 2 years full-time (part-time applications will be considered) and is available from October 2025.
- Any offer of employment will be subject to a standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check., What we offer As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, UCL also offer some great benefits, of which some are below:
- 41 Days holiday (including 27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- On-Site nursery
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Qualitative Methods employer: University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Qualitative Methods
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest research and developments in qualitative methods, particularly in mental health. This will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of psychiatry and qualitative research. Attend relevant conferences or workshops to meet potential colleagues and mentors who can provide insights and possibly refer you to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with ethical considerations when working with vulnerable populations. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your understanding and commitment to ethical research practices.
✨Tip Number 4
Research UCL's Division of Psychiatry and its current projects. Tailoring your conversation to align with their mission and ongoing research can set you apart as a candidate who is not only qualified but also genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Qualitative Methods
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description and person specification. Highlight how your experience aligns with the requirements, especially your expertise in qualitative research methods.
Craft a Strong Personal Statement: Use the personal statement section to clearly articulate how you meet each essential and desirable criterion outlined in the person specification. Be specific about your experiences and how they relate to the role.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and personal statement, emphasise your experience with qualitative research methods, particularly in healthcare settings. Mention any relevant projects or studies you've been involved in that demonstrate your skills.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
✨Showcase Your Qualitative Research Experience
Make sure to highlight your experience with qualitative research methods during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, the methodologies you used, and the outcomes of your research. This will demonstrate your expertise and relevance to the role.
✨Understand Ethical Considerations
Given the sensitive nature of working with vulnerable adults, it's crucial to show your understanding of ethical considerations in your research. Be ready to discuss how you ensure data protection and maintain ethical standards in your work, as this is a key aspect of the role.
✨Prepare for Questions on Patient Observation
Familiarise yourself with enhanced patient observation (EPO) and its implications in mental health settings. Prepare to discuss how EPO can impact patient outcomes and share any insights or ideas you have about improving practices based on your research background.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
As the role requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. You may be asked to explain complex concepts simply, so think about how you can convey your ideas effectively to both academic and non-academic audiences.
