Research Associate (Mental Health)
At a glance
- Band
- Band 6
- Contract
- Fixed-term
- Pattern
- Part-time
- Posted
- 20/08/2026
- Closes
- 20/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This role is for a Research Associate to join the Mental Health Learning Systems project, a collaboration between Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Plymouth. You will work within local mental health services, contributing to the co-design and delivery of qualitative research and service evaluation. Key tasks include participant recruitment, data collection, qualitative interviewing, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of findings. The position requires strong qualitative research skills and excellent communication to build relationships across clinical and academic environments.
Essential criteria
- Relevant degree level (psychology, social science, health care) or equivalent.
- Relevant postgraduate qualification or equivalent (or working towards
Desirable criteria
- PhD in a relevant and related field
- Relevant degree level (psychology, social science, health care) or equivalent.
- Relevant postgraduate qualification or equivalent (or working towards
- PhD in a relevant and related field
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 6 at £37,338 – £44,962 a year, across England.
This advert: £39,959 – £48,117 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 18d ago · Closes in 14d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Research Associate (Mental Health)
The closing date is 20 September 2026
Job summary
We are looking for a Research Associate to join the Mental Health Learning Systems project, a collaboration between Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Plymouth.
You'll work as part of a research team embedded within local mental health services, helping to develop and answer service evaluation and research questions that support needs-led and inclusive care.
Working closely with clinicians, managers, researchers, people with lived experience and other stakeholders, you will contribute to the co-design of research and service evaluation activity, with a particular focus on qualitative methods. You will be involved in participant recruitment, data collection, qualitative interviewing, analysis, interpretation and write-up, as well as knowledge mobilisation and dissemination of findings.
This is a varied role requiring strong qualitative research skills, excellent communication and the ability to build effective relationships across clinical and academic environments.
The role will involve travel to clinical bases across Somerset and occasional travel to Plymouth and other locations.
Interviews have been scheduled for the 1st October.
Main duties of the job
The Research Associate will contribute to the design and delivery of qualita
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