Research Position in Mental Health Guidelines for Community Sport

The post holder will be a highly productive, ambitious and collaborative member of the Mental Health Guidelines for United Kingdom and Ireland Community Sport research project, assisting in the development, planning and delivery of the research activity.

The post is a critical role, and as such, successful applicants will have responsibilities in conducting systematic reviews, organising key stakeholder events and workshops, planning and conducting day-to-day research data collection, data analysis and writing and disseminating research articles and reports.

• Undertake research within the Mental Health Guidelines for United Kingdom and Ireland Community Sport research project under supervision of the PI and alongside a dynamic research team.
• Design, develop and refine research using a range of methodologies including conducting focus group interviews with participants from sporting associations and sports clubs across the UK and Ireland.
• The candidate will conduct research using the Delphi method and the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT PROCESS (Schünemann et al., 2017) to develop and refine mental health guidelines for community sports clubs. The guidance will then be implemented in a selection of sports clubs and evaluated.
• Carry out data analyses, critical evaluations, and interpretations of the literature.
• Produce high quality research outputs consistent with project aims and commensurate with career stage. This will include collaborating and co-authoring with PI and project team (as appropriate) on outputs.
• In consultation with the project team, promote research milestones and outputs at national and international conferences, through social media, and reporting to the funder.
• Assist PI in the preparation of funding proposals and applications to external bodies to extend the implementation of the project findings.
• Carry out occasional educational support, supervision and demonstrating duties within the post holder’s area of expertise and under the direct guidance of a member of academic staff.
• Undertake supplementary duties relevant to the success of the project including administrative duties and additional training and development activities as required.

About the person:

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following criteria:

• Normally have or be about to obtain a PhD (where experience can be shown in the area of psychology and mental health).
• Recent relevant research experience to include:
  • Undertaking research in the area of mental health.
  • A proven track record of using relevant qualitative methods to carry out analyses, critical evaluations, and interpretations of data.
  • Undertaking systematic reviews in the area of mental health.
  • Working effectively as part of a research team in the development and promotion of mental health.
  • Strong publication record commensurate with stage of career.

This post is available until 31 January 2027.

What we offer:

Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health.