Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the Tackling Inequalities and Discrimination Experiences in Health Services (TIDES) Study within the Health Inequalities Research Group led by Professor Stephani Hatch.     

The post will be situated within the Health Inequalities Research Group, based at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London. 

The postholder will synthesise relevant literature; contribute to the evaluation of an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment following full training with VR equipment; organise study recruitment; carry out quantitative and qualitative data collection, data cleaning and analysis; contribute to the co-development of a race equality toolkit for healthcare staff and managers; general administrative duties; public engagement; delivering presentations; managing project related social media; and writing lay summaries, reports and research papers under the supervision of more senior team members.   

The post will also involve liaising with non-academic partners and collaborators across the health and social care sector.  

The successful candidate will have a strong interest in social inequalities, identifying potential ways to reduce these inequalities and their potential impact on mental health and health; be able to think creatively and innovatively with regards to methods and resources; be keen to learn new skills; be committed to anti-racist practice and contributing to meaningful change.

Applicants from minoritised racial and ethnic groups, and those with lived experience of social disadvantage/injustice, are strongly encouraged to apply.  

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 12 months in the first instance 

This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

• Contribute to the evaluation of an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment in collaboration with colleagues from Maudsley Learning and the King’s Virtual Reality Lab   

• Recruit participants for the study and ensure the project achieves the best possible response rates  

• Facilitate the participation and use of the VR environment with the participants  

• Maintain a database/record of interviews conducted and respondents contact details to ensure databases are maintained efficiently and accurately  

• Undertake any training relevant to the role, including safeguarding and data protection training   

• Ensure the security and confidentiality of data  

• Support the TIDES team in seeking relevant literature, summarising research and drafting papers for publication under the supervision of senior team members  

• Prepare reports on progress of data collection and undertake administrative tasks as needed  

• Attend project meetings, prepare monthly progress reports, maintain clear and up to date written documentation, and present progress at team meetings    

• Support team members on related studies and with public engagement activities  

• Manage study website, email account and social media  

• Present findings at departmental seminars and team meetings  

• Prioritising workload according to discussion with managers  

• Work with and supporting peer researchers with lived experience of inequities in health, mental health, and social care  

• Support training and evaluation activities and revising the Peer Researcher training course  

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria  

1. A first degree in social sciences, health, epidemiology or similar  

2. MSc in mental health research, social sciences, applied health, policy, digital health or similar  

3. Strong interest in virtual reality and digital health, social inequalities in health, mental health  

4. Experience of recruitment and data collection   

5. Strong quantitative training and analytic skills    

6. Demonstration of ability and willingness to think creatively and innovatively when solving problems and learn new skills  

7. Understanding of principles of ethics, including data confidentiality and data security and in collaborating with non-academic partners  

8. Ability to work flexibly including occasional weekends/evenings  

9. Excellent verbal and written communication  

10. Excellent time management, organisation and team working skills   

Desirable criteria

- Experience of qualitative data collection and analysis  - Experience of literature reviewing, writing reports, and presenting results 

- Experience of managing and creating content for social media and/or website design  

Further information

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health clearance. 

Health Inequalities  

Virtual Reality 

Research Assistant 

Social inequity 

Social Justice