Research Assistant

Job description

An experienced and highly motivated individual is sought to coordinate a team of peer researchers and contribute to the work of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) National Priorities Programme: Mental Health Implementation Network (MHIN). The aim of the programme is to catalyse and evaluate the co-produced implementation of high impact, evidence-based mental health interventions, at key stages of the life course, including children and young people, supra-regionally or nationally within 3 years. 

The Research Assistant / Peer Researcher for the MHIN will bring a lived experience perspective of mental health challenges and understanding of the mental health research landscape to contribute to the research conducted by the programme and to coordinate and support input from a team of Peer Researchers.  

 

The post holder will work closely with the Involvement Leads, the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Coordinator, the Project Leads and EDI Lead, and with each of the programme’s workstreams to ensure that lived experience is embedded in the programme’s three projects, which include , Project 1: Community engagement system to improve access to MH care in ethnic minority groups, Project 2: Improving access to MH care for children and young people using IPAT style services and Project 3: Integrated protocols for substance use, mental and physical health problems.   

 

The post holder will also work closely with the programme’s bespoke consortium of key cross-disciplinary, cross-sector, government, NGO, clinical, commissioner, academic, service users, carers, members of the public and community stakeholders in co-producing and delivering key aspects of the programme and to establish effective ways of involving the consortium in the programme’s 5 workstreams. 

 

Further information regarding the programme can be found on the programme website: https://arc-sl.nihr.ac.uk/research-and-implementation/our-research-areas/mental-health-implementation-network 

 

The programme strives to recruit members from all genders and backgrounds and recognises the importance of diversity.  We particularly welcome applications from black and minority ethnic candidates. 

 

This post will be offered on an a fixed-term contract for a 1 year period   

This is a part-time post - 50% full time equivalent

 

Key responsibilities

•       To conduct research, data collection, and evaluation as specified in the programme research plan  

•       To attend and contribute all key project meetings 

•       To coordinate the project team of Peer Researchers working on the programme’s projects 

•       To identify key areas for lived experience input within the programme and facilitate peer involvement accordingly 

•       To work alongside the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Coordinator to plan, develop, and deliver PPI activities 

•       To contribute to and update the PPI impact and evaluation activity log  

•       In collaboration with evaluation and workstream leads and project leads, record and disseminate key action points from programme meetings   

•       Disseminate programme work through presentations, reports, and peer-reviewed publications (as appropriate) 

•       Carry out specific tasks assigned by the project leads (e.g. reviewing papers related to the project) and with Involvement and EDI Leads 

 

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.         Experience of advocating for a lived experience perspective to a range of stakeholders, including but not limited to, researchers and healthcare professionals 

2.         Understanding of peer research, co-production, and principles of lived experience inclusion and diversity and involvement in mental health research, including ethics and ways of working effectively and sensitively 

3.         Ability to work independently as well as part of a multi-disciplinary team  

4.         Excellent time management skills with ability to multi-task, prioritise, and complete tasks within a set deadline   

5.         Strong organizational and planning skills, with a proven ability to coordinate and deliver projects 

6.         Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to adapt communication as appropriate to the situation (e.g. academia vs general public) 

7.         An understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods 

8.         Ability to provide effective project management support 

9.         Good knowledge of mental health conditions 

10.     Excellent attention to detail 

 

Desirable criteria

 

1.         Experience of working as a Peer Researcher / Survivor Researcher / Researcher with lived experience and supporting  health-related research in this capacity 

2.         Experience of supporting peer research and/or facilitating lived experience involvement in a national programme of research 

3.         Experience of having worked in mental health / health or social care provider organisations or experience of working within a higher education institution 

4.         Good quality (upper second or above) first degree in a health or research-related field (e.g. psychology, nursing, health sciences) or other subject in which quantitative or qualitative evaluation is a core skill (e.g. applied statistics, sociology, social policy, education, economics/econometrics)  

5.         Experience of facilitating lived experience involvement in research, including supporting Peer Researchers, Patient/Public Advisors, or other individuals with lived experience of mental health difficulties