Research Assistant – Mental Health

Background & Role

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates to join The CHUMS study (Cultural HUmility in Mental Health Services). The CHUMS study aims to co-produce an optimised model of cultural humility in mental health care, which is context responsive, implementable, and measurable. 

International evidence demonstrates that ethnic minority populations disproportionately experience mental health difficulties. Despite their increased mental health needs, evidence also indicates ethnic minority populations experience inequitable access to and quality of mental health care. Once a country of mass emigration, Ireland is now experiencing an era of superdiversity. However, our mental health system remains predominantly designed and delivered for the White Irish ethnic majority. This contravenes international human rights legislation and national mental health policy which mandate equity in mental health provision and, to achieve it, the implementation of empowering, culturally responsive, and rights-based mental healthcare. 

To date, efforts to mitigate the inequities experienced by ethnic minorities have focused on mental health practitioners’ cultural competency. Whilst improving practitioners’ knowledge and attitude in the short-term, negligible evidence exists about cultural competency’s ability to induce long-term impact on practitioner behaviour, system change, and health outcomes. For these reasons, evidence indicates that it is insufficient when solely implemented and the complementary approach of cultural humility is also needed. However, there is an absence of research which fully conceptualises and operationally defines cultural humility, impeding its practical implementation and evaluation in mental health systems. 

The proposed research will begin the work required to reduce this evidence-practice gap by implementing Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) to co-produce an optimised model of cultural humility in mental healthcare, which is context responsive, implementable, and measurable.

Epistemologically informed by CBPR and theoretically grounded by implementation science, the research is organised into four distinct but complementary work packages.  The four work package objectives are:

1. To conduct community based participatory research in which knowledge end users are genuine collaborators in the design, conduct, and dissemination of the research
2. To assess the implementation climate’s capacity and receptivity to integrate cultural humility in mental health services.
3. To delineate and develop consensus on the essential components and quality indicators of a culturally humble model of mental health care
4. To create strategic implementation guidance in support of strengthening cultural humility in mental health

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Principal Investigator the duties of the Research Assistant will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Support all elements of fieldwork associated with the project, including assisting with data collection, management, and analysis.
• Facilitate Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)/Expert by Experience input into all aspects of the research, including research design, data collection, analysis, and dissemination.
• Foster and maintain effective collaboration and communication with all team members, collaborators, and key stakeholders, including members of the project’s Community Advisory Board 
• Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which he/she is engaged with the support of and under the supervision of the Principal Investigator
• Engage in appropriate training and development opportunities as required by the Principal Investigator, the School or Research Centre, or the University

Minimum Criteria

• The successful applicant will hold a Primary degree in a related health, psychology, or social science discipline.
• Have experience of qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies.
• Demonstrate themselves to be highly motivated, with strong organisational, interpersonal and (oral/written) communication skills.
• Recognise the value of PPI (public and patient involvement) in research and be willing to work with people with lived experience of attending mental health services.

Desirable Criteria

• A Master’s degree or post graduate qualification in a related health, psychology, or social science discipline.
• Previous experience in health-related research would be beneficial to the post.
• Experience working /conducting research with normatively excluded populations.
• Have presented their research findings, either at national/international conferences or in peer-reviewed journals.

Essential Training 

The postholder will be required to undertake the following essential compliance training:

Orientation, Health & Safety, Data Protection (GDPR) and all Cyber Security Awareness

Training. Other training may need to be undertaken when required.

Salary Scale: IUA Research Assistant Salary Scale (Point 1-10) - €30,025 - €37,180

*Appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and in line with current IUA pay policy

Closing date: Thursday 11th April 2024

Pilot Remote Working Policy

DCU is currently operating a pilot remote working policy for staff which consists of 1 day a week and 2 days a week for a period of up to 21 weeks per year. Such weeks are determined by the Head of each Unit in conjunction with HR and will take cognisance of the academic calendar, business needs and the service provision of the particular area. The terms of the pilot remote working policy will apply.

For more information on the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy & Community Health , please visit: https://www.dcu.ie/snpch 

Dr. Rebecca Murphy, School of Nursing, Psychotherapy & Community Health,  Dublin City University. 

Phone + 353 (0)1 7007152

Email: becca.murphy@dcu.ie

Please do not send applications to this email address, instead apply as described below.