Research Associate

We are excited to invite applications for the position of Research Associate within the Thames Valley Specialised Children and Young People's Mental Health and HOPE (Healthy Outcomes for People with Eating Disorders) Provider Collaboratives. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the evaluation of mental health initiatives, particularly in eating disorder treatments.
As a Research Associate, you will evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives, with a focus on nasogastric tube feeding in treating eating disorders. You'll collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to assess the outcomes of interventions aimed at improving mental health services for children, young people, and adults.
Location: Oxford/Swindon (Hybrid working available)
About the Provider Collaboratives: Led by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, the Provider Collaboratives unite NHS organisations like Oxford Health, Berkshire Healthcare, Gloucestershire Health, and Priory for AED. The collaborative serves areas like Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Swindon, Wiltshire, and Bath and North East Somerset, working to improve mental health services., + Evaluate ongoing initiatives, particularly nasogastric tube feeding in eating disorder treatments.
+ Collaborate with NHS partners to collect, analysis, and report data.
+ Contribute to the development of research frameworks.
+ Assist in disseminating findings to improve mental health service, 1. Review existing research and service evaluations carried out across the Provider Collaboratives relating to dietetic management of eating disorders.
2. Set up a forum for clinicians within the Provider Collaborative undertaking research and evaluation relating to the treatment of eating disorders to review/agree approach and provide support, as needed.
3. In agreement with the Clinical Directors and senior research associate, to develop the research approach and methodology using recognised tools and approaches to undertake the necessary research across both Provider Collaboratives.
At Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust we want to employ people not just with experience, but with the aptitude and motivation to succeed and whose values resonate with our own.
Therefore, if you don't meet all the requirements of the role and are unsure about applying but are excited about the opportunity, please do get in touch. We will be happy to discuss the requirements in more detail ahead of making a written application.
+ All new starters have a thorough induction process, both local and Trust wide, which aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale.
+ Appointment to this post is subject to the trust receiving satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment or study. Please ask your referees to respond promptly to reference requests.
+ Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
+ We are ambitious in our pursuit of excellence, driven by the belief that a fair, just and fully inclusive organisational culture enables our teams to deliver the best quality of care and services possible and we work hard to ensure that our diverse workforce reflects the communities that we serve.
+ We welcome applications from all sections of the community, are an Equal Opportunities employer with a number of internal networking groups to support our employees and where possible will always look to make reasonable adjustments in order that you can fulfil the role to recognise your full potential. All our employees are committed to demonstrating through their behaviour our core values - safe, caring and excellent.
+ Oxford Health is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
+ Oxford is a world-renowned centre of excellence for research. Oxford Health works closely with the University of Oxford department of Psychiatry and the Department of Primary care, has a Biomedical Research Centre dedicated to improving mental health and the NIHR Clinical Research Facility at the Warneford site. The Trust also hosts the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) which carries out applied research that directly impacts patient health and wellbeing

+ Be an experienced senior clinician with a strong background in mental healthcare and clinical research, capable of working independently while demonstrating flexibility and creativity in problem-solving.
+ Take responsibility for supporting clinical team members involved in research and evaluation within the Provider Collaborative, leveraging and expanding on existing data to drive improvements.
+ Possess expert research and audit skills, with a proven track record of scientific publications.
+ Propose recommendations for policy and service development, including contributing to transformation projects, preparing for service reviews, and enhancing psychological care pathways, in close collaboration with the clinical leadership team., Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application you are encouraged to read the "candidate guide to making an application" which is attached to all roles. Please include details around qualifications (including years these were gained particularly if we need to assess for clinical roles that these are still valid) and ensure that the supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses the essential criteria found in the JD.

Band 8a
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has been rated as Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
We are a responsive and innovative Foundation Trust that places our values of Caring, Safe and Excellent at the heart of everything we do. We take great pride in our staff and believe that investing in you is key to us achieving our vision of outstanding care delivered by outstanding people.
We work with a wide range of partner organisations to deliver care and support to people in their own homes and from a number of hospitals and community bases. We focus on delivering care as close to home as possible for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.
We actively support anti-racism, equality, diversity, and inclusion so, if you're excited about this job opportunity and you meet our Trust values, but feel unsure about applying, then please get in touch and we will be happy to have a conversation with you.
We are also committed to increasing diversity in the workforce, that is why we actively encourage applications from those groups of people who are currently under-represented, which include amongst others: people with disabilities; men from all socio-economic backgrounds; people from diverse ethnic backgrounds; and people from the LGBTQIA+ community.
Good luck and we hope to hear from you., As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"
Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent"
At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
+ Excellent opportunities for career progression
+ Individual and Trust wide learning and development
+ 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
+ NHS Discount
+ Pension scheme
+ Lease car scheme
+ Employee Assistance Programme
+ Mental Health First Aiders
+ Staff accommodation (waiting lists may apply)
+ Staff networking and support groups