Description
Position Details
School of Psychology
Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range 36130 to 45413 with potential progression once in post to 48149
Grade: 7
Full Time Fixed Term contract up to November 2026
Closing date: 1st June 2025
Background
The post holder will create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within a specific research project funded by the NIHR Research Programme for Social Care (RPSC).
We are recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to play a significant role in an NIHRfunded Research Programme for Social Care (RPSC) study titled Understanding CareExperienced Young Peoples Mental Health HelpSeeking Behaviour in England.
This mixedmethods study explores the mental health helpseeking behaviours of careexperienced young people (aged 1325) in England. The term careexperienced includes those who live or have lived in nonbiological foster care kinship care residential care or are care leavers.
The study involves a systematic review of the international literature an online survey and indepth qualitative interviews with careexperienced young people. It also includes significant coproduction of study outputs with careexperienced young people.
Role Summary
The successful candidate under the supervision of the Principal Investigator Dr Willem Stander (University of Birmingham) and alongside coinvestigators Prof Jason Schaub (University of Bristol) and Dr Jolie Keemink (University of Kent) will:
* Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
* Operate within area of specialism
* Analyse and interpret research findings and results
* Contribute to generating funding
Main Duties
* Collect research data through a variety of research methods including conducting a systematic review and designing and implementing mixedmethods research including quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interviews) data collection and analysis
* Analyse and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data
* Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
* Undertake management/administration arising from research
* Contribute to Departmental/School researchrelated activities and researchrelated administration
* Disseminate research findings for publication research conferences/seminars etc.
* Engage meaningfully with careexperienced young people and key stakeholders to coproduce research outputs ensuring lived experiences are central to the study design analysis and dissemination
* Present research outputs including drafting academic publications or parts thereof for example at conferences seminars and as posters
* Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
* Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
* Contribute to writing bids for research funding
* Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
* Contribute to enterprise business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University often under supervision of a project leader
* Contribute to developing new models techniques and methods
Person Specification
* First degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Psychology Social Care or a related field)
* PhD (or near to completion) in a field closely aligned with the research area
* Demonstrated experience in conducting systematic reviews and evidence synthesis and mixedmethods research including both quantitative and qualitative approaches
* Proficiency using SPSS NVivo or similar quantitative and qualitative data analysis software
* Experience conducting research or working in a practicebased role with young people (ideally including careexperienced young people)
* High level analytical capability
* Ability to work independently under appropriate supervision
* Excellent communication skills
* Excellent project management and organisational skills
* Experience of working collaboratively with others to deliver project outcomes
* Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and how to actively ensure in daytoday activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
Desirable
* Previous research experience in mental health or social care
* Experience conducting research with marginalised or vulnerable populations
* Awareness of the specific challenges faced by careexperienced young people in England
* Understanding of intersectionality such as ethnicity LGBTQ identities disability and neurodivergence shape the mental health helpseeking behaviours of careexperienced young people
DBS required
The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice therefore all associated preemployment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.
Informal enquiries to Dr Willem Stander email:
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.
Key Skills
Bioinformatics,Genetics,R,Biochemistry,Cell Biology,Research Experience,Statistical Software,Cell Culture,Molecular Biology,Data Analysis Skills,Flow Cytometry,Microscopy
Employment Type : Full-Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1
Monthly Salary Salary: 36130 - 45413 #J-18808-Ljbffr