Research Assistant

at  Liverpool John Moores University

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is a distinctive, unique institution, rooted in the Liverpool City Region and with a global presence. Our students and staff, past, present, and future, are the beating heart of our city and can be found in every corner of every industry and community. We couldn’t exist anywhere else and have shaped the city in which we belong. Working with the people of Liverpool to improve lives and support communities is at the heart of why we were founded and why we exist today.
Applications are invited for a graduate research assistant position on a mixed-methods research project focused on suicide prevention in Cumberland. Cumberland Council are embarking on the preparation of a new suicide prevention strategic plan. However, before they begin, they are seeking to understand the lived experience and causality that sits behind the loss of life to suicide in Cumberland, in order to give them the best chance of identifying the interventions that could make a difference.
This project will use a layered approach to understand why suicide rates are so much higher in Cumberland than elsewhere in England. The study, conducted by LJMU and commissioned by Cumberland Council, will aim to explore residents’ and communities’ exposure to suicide and if and how it has affected their lives. For those who have considered suicide or have been bereaved by suicide, the study will seek to understand the contributing factors and what could/would have helped those individuals to make different choices.
Work will involve conducting interviews and focus groups in Cumberland, administering online surveys, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and writing reports of the findings. You will be based in the School of Psychology, with mentoring and supervision provided by Dr Ashworth and Dr Saini.
You should hold a BSc in Psychology or a related field. You will be used to working independently and have excellent organisation skills. Previous experience in conducting research and collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data (using SPSS and NVivo), within and beyond undergraduate qualifications, will be an advantage. Experience conducting research in the field of suicide prevention will also be advantageous. Excellent computer and communication skills are essential. The successful applicant will need to be able to conduct data collection in Cumberland periodically (expenses will be covered).
The successful candidate would need to be available to begin work as soon as possible.
For informal enquiries please contact: Dr Emma Ashworth, E.L.Ashworth@ljmu.ac.uk

ANTICIPATED INTERVIEW DATE: 8TH OCTOBER 2024.

In return, we offer an excellent benefits package including generous annual leave entitlement, pension scheme, induction and development support as well as family-friendly policies.
This is an exciting time to join the university as we deliver the LJMU Strategy 2030 and its vision of LJMU as an inclusive civic university transforming lives and futures, by placing students at the heart of everything we do.
If you feel that this is the role you have been looking for and your skills and experience can make a real difference at LJMU, we look forward to hearing from you.
Please note all of our vacancies will be closed to applications at midnight on the advertised closing date, unless otherwise stated.
LJMU are committed to adhering to the Principles set out in the Researcher Development Concordat; in line with this all fixed-term researchers will be supported to complete 10 days professional development activities per year (pro-rata)

Please refer the Job description for details