Research Associate (SSHLD)

The Division of Health Research (DHR) within Lancaster Universitys Faculty of Health and Medicine is seeking to fill a Research Associate position to work on the Suicide, self-harm and people with learning disabilities: a scoping study project. The position is for 12 months, full time, starting in March 2025, or shortly thereafter. This project is funded by Three NIHR Research Schools Mental Health Programme. This study is a direct result of public engagement work with researchers and health professionals, and self-advocates with learning disabilities.

In this role, you will join a team of academic researchers to review existing evidence about people with learning disabilities and self-harm and suicide. The project will help to clarify what we currently know about support for people with learning disabilities who self-harm and about suicide prevention for this group. It will also review how research on suicide and self-harm in adults with learning disabilities has been done.

You will play a key role in conducting the research and disseminating its findings. You will have an MSc or PhD in Health Research or a relevant social sciences discipline with robust experience of evidence synthesis. Experience of conducting systematic and/or scoping reviews is essential. The ability to work flexibly with varied stakeholders and to manage competing priorities, and to work independently as well as collaboratively are essential. Evidenced ability to write to academic publication standards is another key requirement for this role.

In addition, it would also be advantageous to have knowledge and/or experience within the projects relevant topic areas such as learning disabilities research and/or self-harm and suicide research. Knowledge and experience of doing research with marginalised communities and groups would also be advantageous. Proficiency in using systematic review-related software such as EndNote, Rayyan.ai, Covidence, or similar tools for reference management, study screening, and data extraction would be another advantage.

This is a collaborative research project between four universities and practice and public collaborators. The project is led by Dr Magdalena Mikulak at Lancaster University with co-investigators from University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Bristol. The post will be based in the Division of Health Research at Lancaster University (Health Innovation One), but hybrid and remote working is an option. We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements, including working week and days/hours worked, flexible start and finish times or condensed hours.

The Faculty provides an environment that strongly supports the individual needs of each employee, promoting a healthy work-life balance. We are committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies on an individual basis, as well as the Athena SWAN Charter, which recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education.

You will join Lancaster University on an indefinite contract; however, the role remains contingent on external funding, which at this time is due to come to an end 12 months from commencement of contract which is due to start March 2025.

Applicants wishing to consider the Skilled Worker Route should ensure they meet the points requirement before applying. Further information can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website., Find out what its like to work at Lancaster University, including information on our wide range of employee benefits, support networks and our policies and facilities for a family-friendly workplace.

The University recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address all inequality in higher education whilst promoting the importance and wellbeing for all our colleagues.

We warmly welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their age, religion, gender identity or expression, race, disability or sexual orientation, and are committed to promoting diversity, and equality of opportunity.

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