At a Glance
- Tasks: Use geospatial data to tackle mental health inequalities in rural communities.
- Company: Join the University of Lincoln's innovative research team focused on mental health.
- Benefits: Permanent position with a competitive salary and opportunities for career development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health through cutting-edge research and collaboration.
- Qualifications: PhD or near completion in relevant fields, with strong geospatial analysis skills.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment with excellent growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 38784 - 43392 £ per year.
Are you passionate about using geospatial data and place-based analytics to address mental health inequalities in rural and coastal communities? The University of Lincoln is seeking an ambitious Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) with strong geospatial and quantitative research expertise to join the Lincolnshire Unit for Mental Health Research (LUMHR) - a major NIHR-funded initiative focused on improving mental health and wellbeing in rural, coastal, and underserved communities across Lincolnshire. This post is permanent and full-time (1.0 FTE) and offers the opportunity to develop an independent, applied research career at the intersection of geospatial analytics, mental health research, and service planning, within a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary environment.
About The Role
The PDRA will be an independent researcher working with a significant degree of autonomy within LUMHR’s Connect theme, based in the Lincoln Institute for Rural and Coastal Health (LIRCH) and reporting to Dr Harriet Moore. The role focuses on developing and applying geospatial and quantitative approaches to understand access barriers, digital exclusion, social isolation, service pathways, and place-based mental health inequalities across Lincolnshire. You will design, implement and analyse spatial datasets, contribute to the development of an interactive geospatial dashboard and data observatory, and produce high-quality visualisations and analyses to support research, service design and decision-making. You will work closely with academic colleagues, NHS and Integrated Care System analytics teams, local authorities, and community partners, contributing to both applied research outputs and system-facing insights. The role involves contributing to reproducible analytical workflows using appropriate geospatial software (e.g. ArcGIS, QGIS) and coding environments (e.g. Python or R), collaborating across LUMHR themes, and supporting interdisciplinary research activity. Teaching support may be required, up to a maximum of six hours per week.
About You
You will have a PhD (or near completion) in a relevant discipline (e.g. geography, GIS, data science, public health, or a related field) or equivalent research experience. You will have demonstrable expertise in geospatial analysis and place-based data, experience working with complex or multi-source datasets, and the ability to communicate spatial insights to non-technical audiences. You will bring a strong commitment to ethical, inclusive and impactful research. Experience applying geospatial methods in applied, interdisciplinary or health-related contexts is particularly welcome.
About Us
LUMHR is Lincolnshire’s first integrated, multidisciplinary unit dedicated to applied mental health research in rural, coastal and small urban-deprived settings. Funded through the NIHR Mental Health Research Group programme, LUMHR brings together academic, clinical, community and lived-experience partners to address persistent mental health inequalities. The University of Lincoln is proud to be a recipient of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher Education (2023) and is based in the heart of one of the UK’s great historic cities.
Informal enquiries
For informal enquiries or further information, please contact: Dr Harriet Moore (HaMoore@lincoln.ac.uk)
Closing Date: 02 Apr 2026
Department: Research
Salary: £38,784 per annum
Please note, this post is permanent and full-time at 1 FTE.
Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Geospatial Mental Health and Wellbeing (CHS293) in Lincoln employer: University of Lincoln
Contact Detail:
University of Lincoln Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Geospatial Mental Health and Wellbeing (CHS293) in Lincoln
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to the University of Lincoln or LUMHR. Attend conferences, webinars, and local meetups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your geospatial analysis projects, visualisations, and any relevant research. This will give potential employers a clear idea of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of mental health research and geospatial analytics. Be ready to discuss how your expertise can help tackle mental health inequalities in rural and coastal communities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at the University of Lincoln.
We think you need these skills to ace Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Geospatial Mental Health and Wellbeing (CHS293) in Lincoln
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your geospatial and quantitative research skills. We want to see how your experience aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects or achievements!
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for addressing mental health inequalities shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who’s not just qualified but genuinely excited about making a difference in rural and coastal communities.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain your expertise and how it relates to the role. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered promptly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Lincoln
✨Know Your Geospatial Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your geospatial analysis skills and be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied these techniques. The interviewers will want to see how your expertise can directly contribute to addressing mental health inequalities.
✨Show Your Passion for Mental Health
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for mental health research, especially in rural and coastal communities. Share any relevant experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to ethical and impactful research in this area.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about the software and coding environments mentioned in the job description, like ArcGIS, QGIS, Python, or R. Be prepared to explain how you've used these tools in past projects and how they can be applied to the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll need to convey complex spatial insights to non-technical audiences, practice explaining your work in simple terms. This will show your ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.