Research Assistant/Associate
The closing date is 26 July 2026
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Research and Development Department at Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) as a Research Associate.
This role will play a key part in delivering the Trust’s Research Strategy by supporting the design, delivery, and dissemination of research, service evaluations, clinical audits, and quality improvement projects across mental health and learning disability services. The post holder will contribute to expanding research capacity, increasing staff and service user engagement in research, supporting grant development, and strengthening collaborations with internal and external partners.
Working alongside the Research Strategy Operational Lead, Clinical Research Practitioners, and multidisciplinary clinical teams, the post holder will support both NIHR portfolio studies and Trust-led research, helping to translate research into evidence-based improvements in patient care.
There will also be an opportunity to develop own areas of research, apply for funding opportunities, publish in peer‑reviewed journals, and present at national conferences.
The ideal candidate will have a postgraduate qualification (e.g. MSc, MRes) in research methods or with a significant research component.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will support the Research Strategy Operational Lead in coordinating the Trust’s research workstreams, networks, and projects. Responsibilities include delivering research, service evaluations, clinical audits, and quality improvement initiatives; supporting research governance processes; undertaking qualitative and quantitative data analysis; and disseminating findings through reports, peer‑reviewed publications, and conference presentations.
The role also involves coordinating the Mental Health and Learning Disability Research Network, organising research events and educational activities, and supporting clinicians to build research skills and engage in research across the Trust.
The post holder will work closely with the Audit, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and Transformation teams to embed research methods within service evaluations, and support staff to publish and disseminate their work.
Collaboration with Clinical Research Practitioners to support NIHR portfolio studies and contribute to the development of Trust‑led research projects and grant applications is also required.
About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of “Outstanding” from the Care Quality Commission.
Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:
Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.
Job responsibilities
- Mental Health and Learning Disabilities (MHLD) Research Network (MHLD) Development: Organise meetings and events; chair and take minutes where required; prepare and deliver presentations, reports, newsletters; maintain intranet, website, and social media accounts; support Principal Investigators (PIs) in recruitment of study subjects; undertake delegated duties for a range of studies.
- Project Design, Delivery, Management and Dissemination: Assist in the delivery and management of research projects, service evaluations, quality improvement initiatives, and audits across the Trust; record and file keeping, data entry, clinical trial administration, data collection, and training of colleagues with study processes and procedures; assist with NIHR portfolio research studies, industry‑sponsored clinical trials, and Trust own‑account research projects; undertake data analysis using qualitative and quantitative methodologies; ensure projects are completed within timeframes and to a high standard; contribute to dissemination of completed projects through research publications, stakeholder updates, social media content, plain English/Easy Read summaries, and verbal presentations.
- Quality Improvement Opportunities: Identify quality improvement opportunities through analysis and understanding of data; work with QI, PACE, and multidisciplinary colleagues to develop publishable quality improvement and audit projects; help deliver measurable improvement within the Trust; develop and deliver training packages to diverse groups of staff and stakeholders.
Person specification
Knowledge / Qualifications / Training
- Degree level qualification or equivalent, with research component.
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certificate (or willingness to obtain).
- Knowledge and experience of collecting and analysing qualitative and/or quantitative data.
- Understanding of Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) in clinical practice and research.
- Quality Improvement qualification or equivalent experience.
Attributes
- Holds UK driving licence.
- Ability to work independently and remotely.
- Self‑motivated with ability to work on own initiative – working to achieve own and team objectives and to overcome obstacles.
Work related skills and experience
- Postgraduate experience in a relevant area.
- Knowledge and confident use of information and communication technologies.
- Experience of working within NHS research or healthcare services.
- Experience of supporting grant applications or funding bids.
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.
£41,957 to £50,387 a year pro rata (5% fringe HCAS included)
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