Research Fellow (MHM) - College of Life and Environmental Sciences - 101552 - Grade 8

In its ‘ Life Sciences Vision’ report, the UK government shared plans to make the UK the most attractive place in the world for Life Sciences innovation. These plans were summed up in a set of ‘priority statements’ – also known as ‘Missions’. The Mental Health Mission will increase capacity in mental health research through providing relevant training and creating better systems to support industry led research and investment across the UK. Specific focus will be paid to addressing areas of unmet need and high burden of mental illness.

We are seeking to appoint two full-time Post-Doctoral Research Fellows to support the delivery of The Midlands Translational Research Centre of Excellence (Midlands-TCoE) (full comms embargoed), conduct optional research and work within a growing team of translational researchers. One researcher will focus on early psychosis and the other on treatment resistant depression . The Midlands TCoE will be led by Professor Rachel Upthegrove (Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust (BWC)), together with Co-Lead Professor Steven Marwaha ( Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (BSMHFT)). The aim of the Midlands-TCoE is to accelerate regional mental health research capacity and re-engage industry with initial focus on new precision interventions for Early Psychosis (EP) and Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) within the context of a young, superdiverse, deprived population.

• Work with the Centre leads to develop and deliver funded objectives.
• Deliver measurable outcomes reflected in a growing international reputation.
• Plan, design and co-ordinate research activities and programmes
• Contribute to the development of research strategies
• Publish results of own research
• Supervise PhD students
• Contribute to the Department/School through management/leadership
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities, widening participation, schools’ outreach or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University

Main Duties

To plan and carry out research, using appropriate methodology and techniques. This may include, where appropriate to the discipline:

• To work towards deliverable outputs and milestones from the Mental Health Mission Midlands Translational Research Centre of Excellence
• Plan, publish and/or execute high quality research
• Project manage research activities, and/or supervise other research staff
• Present findings in high quality publications and conference proceedings
• Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued
• Supervise and examine PhD students, both within and out with the University
• Provide expert advice to colleagues and students within discipline
• Contribute to the administration/management of research across the Department/School
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, , and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University
• Contribute to some administrative activities within the University, typically relating to research
• Apply knowledge in a way that develops new intellectual understanding
• Develop and conduct academic and personal research, including securing grants
• Actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour

Person Specification