Job summary

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint a Research Support Assistant in Mental Health Research, to work in close partnership with the researchers, in the delivery of an NIHR funded trial Bipolar At Risk Trial II (BART II)

The post-holder will join a unique team of clinical and research staff who are passionate about optimising mental health services through applied research, working alongside clinical services and other relevant health and education settings. The post holder will be based in Preston at the with frequent travel across the Lancashire & South Cumbria area

You must have at least a degree level qualification in a relevant discipline and knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research designs including clinical trial designs with recruitment and retention targets. You will need to be competent in data collection and both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Experience of working collaboratively in clinical trial management with large multi-disciplinary research teams, and service users/relatives, clinicians and service providers, would be a definite advantage. We are looking for an energetic dynamic, self-directed and committed individual with an interest in becoming a key part of our research team.

Main duties of the job

We are keen to appoint a Research Support Assistant to work on the exciting NIHR BART II Study. The research assistant will support and enhance the clinical research activities of the Research Department (including clinical research assessments, conduct of research, collection of data, development of audit and/or research projects, training, and project work) with a particular focus on BART II.

The Bipolar At Risk Trial II (BART II) is an Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation trial which has been awarded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). This trial will be conducted within the Youth Mental Health Research Unit. The applicant will work with a team of leading experts in bipolar disorder including those with lived experience. The aim of BART II is to investigate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for those considered "at risk" for bipolar disorder, and to hopefully help shape NHS services for this population group. Data from this study will inform service development

About us

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.

The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.

For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT