Research Assistant/Associate-Mental Health Literacy and Psychological Wellbeing of Coaches

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Research Assistant/Associate-Mental Health Literacy and Psychological Wellbeing of Coaches

Requisition ID: 28050

Location:

Newcastle, GB

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Working Pattern: Part Time

Posted Date: 14 May 2025

Salary: Research Assistant: £32,546 to £34,132 per annum (pro rata)

Research Associate: £35,116 per annum (pro rata)

Newcastle University offers excellent benefits, including a generous holiday package, pension schemes, and health and wellbeing initiatives.

Closing Date: 21 May 2025

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive sport and exercise psychology research team and contribute to a 6-month funded project by North Futures Hub (EPSRC). The project aims to:

1. Understand the current scope of mental health support training for junior athlete coaches, including current provisions and barriers.
2. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of current digital tools used by coaches to support athletes.

The project will employ a mixed methods approach, including questionnaires on mental health literacy and training, and semi-structured interviews exploring perceptions, barriers, and awareness of mental health tools among youth sport coaches.

The successful candidate will lead daily project operations, including data collection, interviews, securing ethical approval, data analysis, and dissemination through publications and presentations.

This is a 6-month fixed-term post at 60% FTE (three days a week), with flexible working days.

Applicants should attach their CV and cover letter demonstrating how they meet the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification. Additional documents should be included in the same file, not exceeding 10MB.

Note: A DBS check is required before starting.

Key Accountabilities

• Manage the project under guidance from senior researchers.
• Enhance methodological aspects of the project.
• Design questionnaires and lead data collection and analysis.
• Lead qualitative interviews with stakeholders.
• Organize and conduct PPI activities.
• Prepare ethics protocols.
• Disseminate findings through community engagement, publications, and conferences.
• Assist in developing research funding proposals.
• Supervise undergraduate projects and support postgraduate researchers.
• Collaborate with support staff and academic colleagues.
• Participate in public engagement events and understand university policies.

The Person Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Teamwork skills and rapid learning ability.
• Subject knowledge in research area (e.g., Sport and Exercise Psychology, Psychology).
• Advanced research skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Research experience, including data analysis with SPSS.
• Experience liaising with sport partners and conducting research from conception to completion.
• Experience obtaining ethical approvals.

Desirable

• Experience working with coaches or in youth sport.
• Knowledge of mental health in sport psychology.
• Experience with mixed-methods research.
• Familiarity with mental health literature.

Attributes and Behaviour

• Independent and proactive work approach.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel locally.
• Excellent communication skills for working with coaches.

Qualifications

• Honours degree (or equivalent) in relevant discipline (Research Assistant).
• PhD in related area (Research Associate).
• Research Assistant: Master's degree or near completion of PhD.
• Research Associate: Postdoctoral experience.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, supporting a welcoming environment for all staff and students. Newcastle University is a proud recipient of the Athena Swan Silver Award and Race Equality Charter Bronze Award. We are a Disability Confident employer, offering interviews to disabled applicants who meet the criteria. We also support researchers through the Euraxess initiative.