The University of Plymouth is seeking an experienced Research Assistant to work in an NIHR-funded MHRG Mental Health Research Group. This ambitious initiative aims to strengthen mental health research capacity and capability across the South-West Peninsula (SWP), a region marked by high and complex mental health needs. Our programme is committed to generating solutions that are responsive, equitable, and deeply informed by lived experience.
Working within a vibrant, collaborative research community, you will work with fellow academics and professional services colleagues on the design, coordination, and evaluation of integrated knowledge-mobilisation activities, ensuring that insights generated across the programme are shared, adapted, and embedded in practice, policy, and service innovation. Sitting at the intersection of research and real-world implementation, the role involves co-producing evidence with partners, health professionals, and people with lived experience to maximise meaningful impact.
About the role
In partnership with King’s College London and the University of Exeter, you will contribute to a wide-ranging “system balance” programme focused on improving equity and sustainability across mental health care systems. Through creative, participatory approaches to knowledge transfer, you will help influence how new evidence drives system change, supporting the region’s shift toward a more integrated, equitable, and learning-oriented model of mental health care.
You will be part of the Community and Primary Care Research Centre (CPCRC) within the Faculty of Health: a warm, growing research community focused on improving care through applied research that addresses the issues that matter most to people with lived experience, community services, and primary care. CPCRC enjoys strong connections across the University, close partnership with the University of Exeter through the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Southwest and established links with NHS Trusts, third-sector organisations, and the Health Innovation Network.
The start date is as soon as possible but no later than September 2026.
This post is a full-time post working 37 hours per week, on a fixed-term basis for 54 months.
For more information on Peninsula Medical School please visit our dedicated webpage at https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools
For this role, you will need to be on site 1 days a week. Although we can accommodate working from home for this role, flexibility to be on-site will be expected due to business needs.
For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact MHRG Team: by email at [email protected]
For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.
About us
The Faculty of Health holds four Silver Athena Swan awards, which recognise our commitment to supporting gender equality within higher education.
The University of Plymouth has a strong interdisciplinary research ethos which is supported by our two strategic Research Institutes; the Marine Institute and the Sustainable Earth Institute. As a member of our academic community, you’ll be expected to contribute to our recognised research strengths. Working holistically across the University, you will be challenged to innovate, collaborate and deliver impactful research contributions as part of a systems thinking approach to addressing today’s global challenges.
Application Process
Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, skills and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.
Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.
Our Offer
Staff appointed within the Faculty of Health may be able to join the NHS pension scheme subject to eligibility criteria.
We have a wide range of staff benefits available to employees, depending on eligibility:
- Generous annual leave: 25 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays & Closure Days
- Generous pension scheme
- Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Development opportunities
- Enhanced family leave
- Flexible working
- Retailer discounts
- On-site nursery
A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed here.
Additional Information
The University of Plymouth is building an inclusive and equitable university where everyone feels represented, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is guided by the Inclusive Institutions Framework, a strategic and externally validated approach that embeds these principles across the entire institution. To find out more please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages
