Research Support Assistant

The Mouth Matters in Mental Health trial is an NIHR funded project involving an intervention using mental health support workers as link workers to improve dental visiting in people with severe mental illness (SMI). This is a multicentre randomised controlled trial evaluating an intervention for helping people with serious mental health difficulties (e.g. psychosis, bipolar mood swings) to find and attend a dentist, and through this improve their oral health.

The post starts in February 2027. The successful applicant will lead on recruitment and data collection for a trial. This will involve liaising with clinical teams, meeting potential participants, conducting clinical assessments (e.g. interviews, self-report measures) and managing data. The post-holder will receive clinical supervision and training from experienced clinical academics (e.g. Clinical Psychologists) working in the field of mental health research.

Main duties of the job

The Trust delivers a wide portfolio of high quality research and is supporting this important study. The Mouth Matters in Mental Health trial is a multicentre randomised controlled trial involving an intervention using mental health support workers as link workers to improve dental visiting in people with severe mental illness (SMI).

The post starts in February 2027. The successful applicant will lead on recruitment and data collection for a trial. This will involve liaising with clinical teams, meeting potential participants, conducting clinical assessments (e.g. interviews, self-report measures) and managing data. The post-holder will receive clinical supervision and training from experienced clinical academics (e.g. Clinical Psychologists) working in the field of mental health research.

You must have at least a degree level qualification in a relevant discipline and knowledge of quantitative research designs including clinical trial designs with recruitment and retention targets. You will need to be competent in data collection 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.

About us

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support 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 and flexi-time.

The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.

Explore our full wellbeing offer here: Keeping our workforce well

Details

Date posted

08 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 to £31,157 a year

Per Annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

351-CS2959-ZK

Job locations

Lantern Centre

Preston

PR2 8DW

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

For more information about this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.

Job responsibilities

For more information about this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc(hons) Psychology (2:1 or above) or equivalent (e.g. post graduate conversion course accredited by the British Psychological Society course accredited by the British Psychological Society
• Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Societ

Knowledge

Essential

• Quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• An understanding of severe mental health difficulties
• An ability to interact effectively with staff from all discipline
• Good data management practices

Experience

Essential

• Data analysis either quantitative or qualitative
• Contact with people with mental health difficulties and/or other disabilities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc(hons) Psychology (2:1 or above) or equivalent (e.g. post graduate conversion course accredited by the British Psychological Society course accredited by the British Psychological Society
• Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Societ

Knowledge

Essential

• Quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• An understanding of severe mental health difficulties
• An ability to interact effectively with staff from all discipline
• Good data management practices

Experience

Essential

• Data analysis either quantitative or qualitative
• Contact with people with mental health difficulties and/or other disabilities.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Lantern Centre

Preston

PR2 8DW

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Lantern Centre

Preston

PR2 8DW

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

For more information about this vacancy please review the attached job description and person specification.

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc(hons) Psychology (2:1 or above) or equivalent (e.g. post graduate conversion course accredited by the British Psychological Society course accredited by the British Psychological Society
• Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Societ

Knowledge

Essential

• Quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• An understanding of severe mental health difficulties
• An ability to interact effectively with staff from all discipline
• Good data management practices

Experience

Essential

• Data analysis either quantitative or qualitative
• Contact with people with mental health difficulties and/or other disabilities.