Research fellow in Psychology / Public Health / Behavioural or Social Sciences (ASPbelong) [2 posts]

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822. 

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 7, salary £37,694.

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract until August 2027

Brief job description

The postholder will join ASPbelong, a large transdisciplinary team, until project end. ASPbelong has developed Augmented Social Play (ASP), a pioneering digital mental health intervention format. ASP uses smartphones to deliver group experiences that combine immersive storytelling, augmented reality, collaborative face-to-face gameplay and evidence based psychotherapeutic methodologies to boost individuals’ mental health while fostering greater belonging. Our first ASP is Lina, a 6-lesson-length programme for school classes of 11-14 year olds. We are implementing and evaluating Lina in Portugal, Czechia, and the UK to present an evidence base to stakeholders including policy-makers, practitioners and media, to stimulate wide uptake. We are also evolving ASP along several design and technical avenues, and prototyping additional ASPs together with vulnerable young people to create ASPs closely matched to their needs. Our long-term goal is wide-scale adoption of ASP.

Disadvantage in the broadest sense, including the multitude of interacting factors that can lead to intersectional disadvantages, is an important focus in the project. We strongly encourage applicants who have an interest in, professional and/or lived experiences of such disadvantage.

Person specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, have obtained or be working towards a PhD relevant to the research area or equivalent qualifications *
• Demonstrable experience of writing up research findings for publication in well-respected journals, normally including first authored publications; and/or of writing successful funding bids
• Fluency in psychological / sociological / health and behaviour models and theory and the ability to interpret data and make arguments that contribute to / develop / expand these
• Interest in mental health, particularly in vulnerable and disadvantaged young people
• Experience and interest in working across disciplines and/or sectors
• Demonstrable ability to work well within a team
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences
• Demonstrable ability to contribute to the planning and organising of the research activities, with a particular focus on dissemination and impact
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes

*Two full time positions are available, or more part time positions. You may be in the latter stages of studying for a PhD and plan to continue studying / writing up alongside part time employment. 

Informal enquires can be made to Kate Woodcock at k.a.woodcock@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above or visit our careers website.

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working