Research Associate - GM Digital

Job overview

The post holder will work across a number of high-profile research projects led by the GM Digital Research Unit. For example, the Enhancing CAMHS referrals project (EN-CAMHS 2) is looking at improving the quality of referrals to CAMHS services. Another project is the Core Mental Health Data Set (CMHDS) project which aims to understand people’s views about collecting mental health information alongside physical health information. The post holder will also work across various other projects and activities within the Digital Research Unit related to digital mental health.

Main duties of the job

The research associate will contribute towards the day-to-day operation of research projects under the guidance of the Project Managers. They will ensure that daily tasks and ongoing workloads are prioritised and completed within agreed timeframes, will actively participate as a member of the multi-disciplinary study team and will prepare for, attend, and actively contribute to relevant meetings. The Research Associate will be involved in assisting the GM Digital leadership team in the design and implementation of digital mental health research projects, contribute to grant applications and submissions, contribute to the accurate collection and secure management of data, and assist with quantitative and qualitative analysis. They will conduct sensitive focus groups and digital co-design workshops with participants as well as contribute to PPIE activities hosted by the GM Digital Research Team including the Youth Connection Young People’s Advisory Group.

Working for our organisation

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 160 locations.

 We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.

Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.

Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Research Grants Writing
• To assist with writing of funding applications for research

Communication and Networking
• To regularly liaise with the study collaborators and other stakeholders to identify and recruit eligible study participants;
• To assist with the promotion of the research to stakeholders;
• To contribute towards and write papers about the research in high profile reports and publications;
• To help present information on research progress and outcomes to management groups;
• To assist with the presentation of research findings at internal and external meetings, and conferences nationally and internationally; and
• To liaise with research colleagues and support administrative staff on routine matters.

Research and administrative activities to support funding bids 
• To conduct and write systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses for publication and to inform future research and grant applications.
• To contribute to the development/design of qualitative and quantitative studies with the members of the team.
• To assist with the running of any pilot trials or research studies conducted within the team.
• To liaise with relevant funding bodies, research support network ( NIHR Research Design Service) and R&I departments of partner organisations
• To assist with the running of any focus groups or consultation groups with service users and/or other stakeholders to inform research.
• To assist in running meetings, including production of agendas, writing of minutes and reports and taking follow-up action as required.
• To support the Lead and team members on other relevant research/administrative activities as required.

Research Management
• To populate, maintain and manage relevant and accurate databases on a daily basis, ensuring they represent a comprehensive and accurate record of the ongoing research. 
• To work effectively under time-pressure in order to meet tight deadlines and project milestones
• To retrieve complex data from relevant quantitative databases and analyse research outcomes to produce summary reports on research activity for a variety of purposes.
• To implement research policies / standard operating procedures for their own work area and to be able to propose improvements to research policies/procedures where relevant.
• To assume responsibility for the safe and secure use of research equipment including digital recorders and computers where relevant.
• To provide advice or demonstrate own research activities or workplace routines to new research staff or temporary researchers working on the project.

Trust Mandatory On-going Requirements - to be met by the candidate after commencing in post, these will not be assessed at the recruitment stage
• To undertake any other reasonable duty, when requested to do so by an appropriate Trust manager.
• To understand and comply with all Trust policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines.
• To understand the Trusts Strategic Goals and how you can support them.
• To understand the need to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and adhere to all principles in effective safeguarding.
• To carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with Equal Opportunities, Equality and Diversity and dignity in care/work policies and principles
• To avoid unlawful discriminatory behaviour and actions when dealing with the colleagues, services users, members of the public and all stakeholders.
• To access only information, where paper, electronic, or, in another media, which is authorised to you as part of the duties of your role.
• Not to communicate to anyone inside or outside the NHS, information relating to patients, services users, staff, contractors or any information of a commercially sensitive nature, unless done in the normal course of carrying out the duties of the post and with appropriate permission.
• To maintain high standards of quality in corporate and clinical record keeping ensuring information is always recorded accurately, appropriately and kept up to date.

Please see attached job description and person specification

Staff benefits

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Knowledge

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Other Requirements

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

 Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.

The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.

Sponsorship

We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .

If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.

Do you have experience outside the NHS?

We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities. 

We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.