Division of Health Research (Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research)

The Division of Health Research, within Lancaster University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine, is seeking a dedicated Administrator to support the Project Manager and programme leads in managing the new Mental Health Research Group (MHRG). The MHRG is a five-year initiative funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), who have recently awarded Lancaster University almost £11 million to conduct world-class mental health research in the North West region.

More than 13,000 people in Lancashire and South Cumbria have been diagnosed with a severe mental illness, while Blackpool has the highest rate of deaths linked to addiction and suicide in England. In conjunction with partners at the University of Manchester and King’s College London, the group will identify local needs and priorities for mental health research and work alongside residents to develop a more proactive, preventative model of care 

Four initial research themes aim to tackle inequities in access to effective mental health interventions, particularly for those experiencing multiple disadvantages and/or complex mental health issues, who are often excluded from mainstream services. A robust knowledge mobilisation infrastructure will be implemented to ensure that research translates rapidly into significant improvements in health and social care. The voices of diverse individuals with lived experience are central to all aspects of the research programme. 

The Administrator will be responsible for carrying out a wide range of general administrative duties, including scheduling and servicing meetings, coordinating travel arrangements, processing expenses claims, and supporting with the production of project reports. This role will involve liaising with colleagues at Lancaster University, as well as MHRG team members based at partner universities, NHS Trusts and third sector organisations; therefore, we require an individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The successful candidate will also have good IT and organisational skills, with the ability to manage their own time and workload with minimal supervision. Experience in organising events and assisting with web and social media marketing activities would be an advantage but is not essential as appropriate support and training will be provided. 

The post will be based in the Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research at Lancaster University (Health Innovation campus) and may involve occasional travel within the UK.

The team and the Division of Health Research provide a friendly environment that strongly supports the individual needs of each employee and actively promotes a healthy work-life balance. The Faculty is committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies and has held a Silver Athena SWAN award since 2014 in recognition of its good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research.

The post is available to start July 2026 and we will consider against the business needs of the project flexible working arrangements including condensed hours, days/hours worked and flexible start and finish times. You will join Lancaster University on an indefinite contract; however, the role remains contingent on external funding, which at this time is due to come to an end on 30^th June 2031.

Applicants wishing to consider the Skilled Worker Route should ensure they meet the points requirement before applying. Further information can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website.

For further information on the role and to discuss any aspects of the position, please contact: 

Dr Jasper Palmier-Claus: j.palmier-claus@lancaster.ac.uk or Professor Steven Jones: s.jones7@lancaster.ac.uk

Closing Date: 13 Apr 2026

Department: Support - Administrative

Salary: £26,707 to £30,378 full time, fixed term

Senior Research Associate in Organisational Health & Well-being

Grade 7

The Centre for Organisational Health & Well-being in the Division of Health Research (DHR) within Lancaster University’s Faculty of Health and Medicine is seeking to appoint a Senior Research Associate in Organisational Health & Well-being. You will play a key role supporting a new research project funded by the UK National Institute for Health Research on promoting sustainable work through healthy psychosocial work environments. 

You will support the Principal Investigator Professor Stavroula Leka and Co-investigators Drs Caroline Swarbrick, Abigail Morris, Elisavet Christou in a range of policy related research activities. This will include the whole range of research skills including preparation of research ethics and governance applications, conducting qualitative research, contributing to literature and policy reviews and case study development, and preparing project reports and scientific papers for publication. You will demonstrate excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work alongside a range of colleagues including academic staff, workplace health professionals, policymakers and international stakeholders.  This is an ideal opportunity to work flexibly, build research skills, and work alongside internationally renowned groups of researchers and stakeholders. 

Please see the person specifications to understand the characteristics that are essential or desirable for these roles. Ideally, you will have excellent skills in qualitative research methods research focusing on organisational health and well-being, and excellent knowledge of the psychosocial work environment, sustainable work, and organisational health and well-being, evidenced through a doctorate in this area. Writing skills are particularly valued, and experience of authoring project reports, and papers for publication is critical. Experience of working collaboratively in multi-disciplinary research teams, and engaging with policymakers and international stakeholders would be an advantage, as would relevant work experience. We are looking for self-directed and committed individuals with an interest in becoming a key part of our organisational health and well-being research team.  

The Centre for Organisational Health & Well-being conducts high-quality cutting-edge research and provides innovative educational programmes to promote sustainable work and organisational health and well-being.  See https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/health-and-medicine/research/cohwb/

The Faculty provides an environment that strongly supports the individual needs of each employee, promoting a healthy work-life balance. We are committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies on an individual basis, as well as the Athena SWAN Charter, which recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education.

The post is available to start June 2026 and we will consider against the business needs of the project flexible working arrangements including condensed hours, days/hours worked and flexible start and finish times. You will join Lancaster University on an indefinite contract; however, the role remains contingent on external funding, which at this time is due to come to an end 31^st May 2029.

Applicants wishing to consider the Skilled Worker Route should ensure they meet the points requirement before applying. Further information can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website.

We welcome applications from those of the global majority under-represented within the Division. 

For further information, please contact: Professor Stavroula Leka stavroula.leka@lancaster.ac.uk   

Closing Date: 10 Apr 2026

Department: Research

Salary: £39,906 to £46,049 (Full-Time/Indefinite with End Date)