Research Assistant - Mouth Matters 2

We are looking to appoint a motivated research assistant to work on the exciting NIHR-funded study Mouth Matters in Mental Health 2. People with severe mental health difficulties ( psychosis, bipolar disorder) often experience poor oral health and find it difficult to attend the dentist. This project aims to improve access to dental services in people with severe mental health difficulties.

Our ultimate aim is to reduce health inequalities in people with mental health difficulties.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop research and clinical skills, and work with a multidisciplinary research team that includes clinical psychologists, mental health nurses, and dentists. The position is full time for 36 months and could be a secondment or fixed-term contract. We are keen to support the ongoing career development of the post holder.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will work closely with the study site lead (Dr Robert Griffiths) and other members of the project team to support the delivery of this project.

Amongst other activities, the post-holder will play a key role in promoting the study amongst key stakeholders (clinicians and patients), liaising with clinical services, contributing to public and patient involvement and engagement (PPIE) activities, supporting participant recruitment, and data collection and entry.

Working for our organisation

Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.

We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.

Benefits

• Pay Enhancements – 30% additional for Evenings (8pm onwards) and Saturdays and 60% additional for Sundays and Bank holidays.
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme.

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

• Good honours degree in psychology (at least 2:1).
• Masters in relevant subject or master’s in research (MRes).

Experience

• Experience of conducting research.
• Experience of collecting and analysing qualitative data.
• Have experience in Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) in a research setting.

Knowledge

• Have knowledge of research design.
• Knowledge of research methods, including data collection and analysis.
• Good understanding of safeguarding vulnerable people.
• Knowledge regarding psychological approaches to severe mental illness.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to conduct literature searches.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a team player and liaise with a variety of other personnel within health and social services and with community members.
• Ability to use statistical software SPSS.
• Good presentation skills in both formal and informal settings.

Other

• To be able to communicate effectively with service users, relatives, carers, community members and a range of professionals and non-academics (verbally and in writing).

The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.

The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications

A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application.

The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.

We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.

Sponsorship

We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .

If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.

The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it.

Do you have experience outside the NHS?

We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities. We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.

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Salary: GBP 30000 - 42000 per year