About the role This is an exciting opportunity to join the newly developed Bath Mental Health Research Group (MHRG) at the University of Bath. The MHRG is funded for an initial 5 years by the NIHR (National Institute for Health Research). The focus of our work is applied research aimed at improving health and wellbeing of children and young people aged 12-25 in the local region. The Bath Mental Health Research Group has four main work packages/themes: Creating and testing simple and widely available support for common mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. This includes using digital treatments. Improving understanding, awareness, and treatment for mental health difficulties in young people who have conditions such as autism and ADHD. Understanding how many of young people in the region have issues with smoking, drinking, and drug use, and developing new ways to help reduce the harm this may cause their mental health. Finding ways to help young people who have had difficult early experiences, to stop this leading to poor mental health when they get older. The successful applicants will work to specified projects but also draw on their unique skill set, with the opportunity to work across a range of work packages. The research of the MHRG involves quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches, including analysis of secondary data, designing and conducting new programmes of work, reporting and dissemination. Previous experience of research on the topic of children and young people’s mental health is desirable, but not essential as we primarily wish to recruit people with commitment and enthusiasm to the topic area, and relevant research skills. We have a clear commitment to skills training and career development for all research staff working in the MHRG. You will have the opportunity to work under the supervision of world-leading clinicians and academics. The Bath MHRG is partnering with the Universities of Bristol and Exeter (as part of the GW4 network) to deliver this project and there will be ample opportunities to work with researchers at our partner institutions. We have several full-time (1.0 FTE) posts available for an initial period of 3 years, with the possibility of extension for a further 2 years. We are also open to applications from people seeking part-time roles and/or flexible working patterns. The minimum time commitment would be 2 days/week (0.4 FTE). Due to the requirements of the post, regular in-person attendance at the University of Bath is required. Some team members will be expected to travel to undertake research activities in the local area of Bath and North-East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire. This post is therefore not suitable for someone looking for a remote position. About you We are looking to recruit candidates with a range of skills and experience (please note, we would not expect a single candidate to have expertise in all areas). We are looking to match project work with individual strengths and expertise. We are seeking to recruit people with a clear commitment to compliance with relevant ethical and regulatory frameworks, and to producing robust and reproducible research (open science). Candidates must enjoy working as part of a team, value inter-disciplinary research and engagement with diverse stakeholders. Key areas include, but are not limited to: Group 1 Quantitative approaches including longitudinal analysis, analysis of large datasets and/or data science Data management skills Ecological momentary assessment methods Group 2 Qualitative methodologies including multi-perspectival analysis Participatory research/co-production with an emphasis on hard to reach and underserved populations Skills in engagement with young people with complex mental health difficulties/neurodivergent presentations Group 3 Clinical Trials methods (including pilot/feasibility trials) Knowledge of social and healthcare systems and policies Digital interventions Group 4 Evidence synthesis (including identifying, reviewing, and summarising what is currently known about a particular question) including meta-analysis and qualitative synthesis methods Dissemination strategies including use of social media Skills in engaging with end users of research, including policy makers, regulatory bodies, clinical commissioners and other key stakeholders We welcome applications from candidates with lived experience (either personal or as a loved one/family member) of the areas within our research remit including mental health difficulties, substance misuse, neurodiversity, and Looked After Children (LAC). We aim to make this an inclusive recruitment process. Interviews will be conducted online, and we will provide interview questions in advance. For an informal discussion of these roles please contact the Director of the MHRG (Dr. Pamela Jacobsen, pcj25bath.ac.uk ) or Deputy Director (Professor Ailsa Russell, ajr39bath.ac.uk ). Campus visits can be organised with sufficient advance notice. What we can offer you: a very generous employer contributory pension scheme generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance we are a family-friendly University and with an increasingly agile workforce, are open to flexible working arrangements an excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities a number of support options available for new and existing staff to help with the cost of some immigration expenses which you may be eligible for: Relocation allowance, Visa Reimbursement, Interest-Free Loan. Find out more about our benefits. We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment. We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader ; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff. Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us UniofBath and UniofBathJobs on Twitter for more information. Closing Date: 05 Jan 2025 Department: Education & Research Salary: £37,999 to £45,163 pro rata per annum