Peer Researcher

Psychological Interventions

Location: Guildford
Salary: £31,412 per annum
Fixed Term
Post Type: Full Time
Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Thursday 30 March 2023
Reference: 016023

We are looking for a Young Adult Peer Researcher for an 11-month appointment as part of a project to assess mental health care for young adults. The research study aims to evaluate whether the implementation of a new model of integrated community mental health care services for adults with significant mental health needs is meeting the needs of young adults (18-25 years). It aims to explore and evaluate the experiences of young adults who have received mental health care within the new model, and to identify how it works for them and what may need to be changed or enhanced.

Two principal investigators lead the study: Professor Elizabeth Barley in the School of Health Sciences, and Ms Mary John, Head of Department of Psychological Interventions in the School of Psychology. The study is a collaboration between three organisations: The University of Surrey, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust, and the McPin Foundation. You will work closely with team members and stakeholders across all these organisations and will be situated physically within the School of Psychology on the Stag Hill Campus at the University of Surrey in Guildford. The department has a long-standing reputation for its vibrant and supportive research and teaching environment, and you will report to Dr Chrissie Jones, Associate Professor in the School of Psychology.

The role

As a peer researcher, you will be involved in recruiting and interviewing young adults with experience of using mental health services that offer the new model of care, and professional staff who govern and deliver care within the new service model. You will be supported by supervision, training, and mentorship from the team to successfully work on this important evaluation including analysing, writing up, presenting, and disseminating findings both across Surrey and further afield. Based upon the information collected, we hope we will be able to propose changes and enhancements to the new model of care to ensure it addresses young adults’ needs in Surrey.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Researcher with lived experience of mental ill-health as a young adult to learn and enhance their research skills and help shape mental health care through their own and others’ experiences.

We are offering this role as a full-time appointment but would consider part time working requests on a job share basis.

About you

An excellent listener, you will be adept at working collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary, multi-stakeholder team. You will have a curious mind and will share our vision of helping to make mental health services the best they can be. You will have an undergraduate degree in a relevant social science subject or healthcare discipline and will have good knowledge or experience living in Surrey, particularly the Epsom and Spelthorne areas. You must also be able to travel independently around Surrey.

The role will involve close work with young adults with mental health needs, so we would be particularly keen to speak to candidates currently (or recently) in the 18-25 age group with lived experience of mental ill-health.

What we can offer

The University of Surrey is located on a beautiful, leafy campus in Guildford, just 30 miles from London and benefitting from excellent rail and road connections. We are an ambitious, research-led organisation, committed to research excellence and to the application of our research for the benefit of society.

In addition to your salary, you will receive pension contributions via the Universities Superannuation Scheme, a generous annual leave entitlement, an attractive research environment, and access to a variety of staff development opportunities. Our benefits package also includes an exclusive discounted membership package to the Surrey Sports Park and an on-site Nursery.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please upload a CV. You will also be asked to answer some brief questions to help us understand your experience and suitability for this role.

Further Information

We invite you to contact Dr Chrissie Jones (c.j.jones@surrey.ac.uk)  for further information and to discuss the post.

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all.  We place great value on diversity and are seeking to increase the diversity within our community.  Therefore, we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities.

Further details: Job Description