Research Associate (Qualitative)

Role Description

Department 

The Research Associate will contribute to an NIHR programme grant evaluating a prison peer-led problem support mentor scheme across the Northeast, Northwest and Yorkshire and Humber regions. The post will expand on prior work conducted in this area see: (https://www.york.ac.uk/healthsciences/research/mental-health/projects/peer-led-problem-solving/). The appointment will form part of a larger team with prison healthcare provider Spectrum and the University of Leeds.

You will be employed by and based at the University of York within the Mental Health and Addictions Research Group (MHARG) in the Department of Health Sciences. You will be expected to travel to and work across different prisons acting as research sites for the study and may also be required to work at alternative University premises.Although the prison site will be your base of work you must also be able to travel to various prison locations to undertake research specific related duties.  Travel to partner/external sites may also be required from time to time.  Individuals will be appointed based on successful enhanced DBS and prison clearance.   

You will be expected to comply with University, Spectrum CIC, and HM Prison Service policies concerning security, safety and participant confidentiality and to ensure that procedures are carried out with safe systems of work and current legislation.  You will ensure that the Safe Working Practices guidance is adhered to when seeing participants in prison.  The post holder is expected to comply with all the relevant Spectrum CIC policies, procedures and guidelines, including those related to equal opportunities, health and safety and confidentiality of information. 

Role

The main purpose of the role is to conduct research under the supervision of senior colleagues and contribute to the production of research relating to the AMICABLE project.

Duties:

• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects duties to include; collection of data from within the prison sites, analysis and interpretation of research data, use of appropriate research techniques and methods; writing up of research results and dissemination through public engagement; key stakeholders, prison staff and prisoners.
• To successfully manage a large volume of qualitative data.
• To develop and initiate collaborative working internally and externally, within each prison site.
• To prioritise and plan your own workload.
• To coordinate and liaise with other members of the research team to ensure the smooth running of the project.
• To be adaptable, flexible, and responsive, whilst maintaining a confident approach to changing environments and circumstances, acknowledging that the research areas will include vulnerable prisoners.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• A degree in a health or social science research related field (e.g., psychology, sociology, health sciences).
• PhD (in Psychology, Criminology, Sociology or allied health or social science related field) or equivalent experience
• Knowledge and experience in qualitative data collection methods, particularly qualitative interviewing.
• In-depth knowledge of qualitative data analysis techniques, particularly thematic analysis, and ability to apply such knowledge into practice.
• Experience of working and/or conducting research in prisons.
• Highly developed communication skills to engage effectively with a wide-ranging audience, both orally and in writing, using a range of media.
• Ability to write up research work for publication in high profile journals and engage in public dissemination.
• Competency to make presentations at conferences.
• Ability to work as part of a team and to work independently using own initiative.
• Experience of carrying out both independent and collaborative research.

Appointment of the successful candidate will be conditional on an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and HMPPS prison checks.

Interview date: 18^th March 2025

For informal enquiries: please contact Dr Amanda Perry: amanda.perry@york.ac.uk

Condition of employment

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Consequently, all applicants will be asked to declare both unspent and spent convictions on their application form.

Appointment of the successful candidate will be conditional on a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork