Postgraduate Research Support Assistant

The Mouth Matters in Mental Health trial is an NIHR funded project involving an intervention using mental health support workers as link workers to improve dental visiting in people with severe mental illness (SMI). This is a multicentre randomised controlled trial evaluating an intervention for helping people with serious mental health difficulties (e.g. psychosis, bipolar mood swings) to find and attend a dentist, and through this improve their oral health.

The successful applicant will lead on recruitment and data collection for a trial. This will involve liaising with clinical teams, meeting potential participants, conducting clinical assessments (e.g. interviews, self-report measures) and managing data. The post-holder will receive clinical supervision and training from experienced clinical academics (e.g. Clinical Psychologists) working in the field of mental health research.

The Trust delivers a wide portfolio of high quality research and is supporting this important study. The Mouth Matters in Mental Health trial is a multicentre randomised controlled trial involving an intervention using mental health support workers as link workers to improve dental visiting in people with severe mental illness (SMI).

The successful applicant will lead on recruitment and data collection for a trial. This will involve liaising with clinical teams, meeting potential participants, conducting clinical assessments (e.g. interviews, self-report measures) and managing data. The post-holder will receive clinical supervision and training from experienced clinical academics (e.g. Clinical Psychologists) working in the field of mental health research.

You must have at least a degree level qualification in a relevant discipline and knowledge of quantitative research designs including clinical trial designs with recruitment and retention targets. You will need to be competent in data collection and quantitative analysis. Experience of working collaboratively in clinical trial management with large multi-disciplinary research teams, and service users/relatives, clinicians and service providers, would be a definite advantage. We are looking for an energetic dynamic, self-directed and committed individual with an interest in becoming a key part of our research team.

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.

We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.

BSc(hons) Psychology (2:1 or above) or equivalent (e.g. post graduate conversion course accredited by the British Psychological Society course accredited by the British Psychological Society

Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Societ

Quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Good data management practices

Data analysis either quantitative or qualitative

Contact with people with mental health difficulties and/or other disabilities.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

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