Job Purpose

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant to contribute to the CSO-funded Addressing Barriers to School non-Attendance to Improve Long-term outcomes (ABSAIL) project. The ABSAIL project aims to explore emotionally based school non-attendance within the Scottish context with the aim of improving health outcomes for affected young people.  The postholder will work with Dr Jo Inchley and other project staff within the Mental Health and Wellbeing Group in the School of Health & Wellbeing and will be responsible for day-to-day delivery of the project including liaising with schools and other stakeholders, data collection and analyses, planning and delivery of co-design workshops, report writing and dissemination activities. The post would suit those with a particular interest in adolescent mental health and/or neurodiversity, along with skills in qualitative research, public engagement and creative dissemination. Experience of conducting research with young people and/or in a school setting would be an advantage. The successful candidate will provide support to the wider research team and will be expected to contribute to research publications and other outputs.

The post is available full-time until June 2026. A part-time position (0.8FTE) may be considered.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal/Co Investigators:

1.    Plan and conduct assigned research under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and in accordance with the project deliverables.

2.    Undertake qualitative research including data collection, data analysis and interpretation.

3.    Support the research team with design and delivery of public engagement activities including co-production workshops with key stakeholders.

4.    Take a lead on development of project outputs including, for example, academic papers, policy briefs, infographics, videos.

5.    Liaise with a range of stakeholders to ensure smooth delivery of the research, including local authorities, schools, community organisations and families.

6.    Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

7.    Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/School of Health & Wellbeing, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

8.    Contribute to the presentation of work at conferences, internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

9.    Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/ group/ meetings/ seminars/ workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community.

10.   Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group.

11.   Contribute to the Unit’s public engagement and knowledge exchange activities to ensure research evidence reaches and influences a broad range of stakeholders.

12.   Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in adolescent mental health.

13.   Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

14.   Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Principal Investigator.

15.   Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Qualifications

Essential

A1. SCQF Level 10 [Honours degree] in psychology, social sciences, health sciences or a related subject.

Desirable

B1. A postgraduate qualification in social sciences, public health, mental health, research methods or other relevant subject area.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

C1. Theoretical and practical knowledge of child and adolescent mental health.

C2. Skills in qualitative data collection, analysis and interpretation.

C3. Excellent communication skills [oral and written], including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely.

C4. Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and the ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior academics, practitioners and young people.

C5. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

C6. Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.

C7. Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.

Desirable

D1. Specialist knowledge of adolescent mental health.

D2. Understanding of the issues affecting school absence.

D3. Understanding of the Scottish education system.

Experience

Essential

E1. Sufficient relevant research experience [or equivalent] appropriate to an early career researcher.

E2. Experience of undertaking mental health research.

E3. Experience of conducting interviews and/or focus groups.

E4. Experience of working with qualitative data and use of qualitative data analysis software (e.g. NVivo).

E5. Experience of presenting research findings in a range of written and visual formats, for example, presentations, infographics, social media and other creative outputs.

Desirable

F1. Experience of conducting research with young people and/or in a school setting.

F2. Experience of writing scientific papers

F3. Experience of undertaking public engagement and/or co-production activities.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Jo Inchley, Joanna.Inchley@glasgow.ac.uk

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,482 - £37,174 per annum

This position is full time and fixed term until June 2026. A part-time position (0.8FTE) may be considered. 

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme

The post for which you are applying is considered ‘registered work’ in terms of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act. It requires the successful applicant to become a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme member prior to appointment. This check is necessary to ensure that the University of Glasgow fulfils its legal duties under the Act.

If you are successful in your application, the offer of employment will be subject to PVG Scheme membership. Further information is available at:

https://www.mygov.scot/pvg-scheme/  

Please note it is a criminal offence to apply for a PVG if you have previously been Disqualified from working with this group

Closing Date: 24 June 2025  at 23:45